"Juno! Where are you?! Please talk to me!"
The poor girl weakly stood up as she heard the distant screaming of her closest friend, William.
"William?! Do you hear me?! William!" Her voice echoes at the distance waiting for an answer, but William is silent.
Her tears fell down from her cheeks, trying her best to aid her wounded arms. She made a painful gasp, watching her blood fall down.
"THERE YOU ARE!" William shouted from afar as he gladly ran towards her. Seeing Juno somewhat made him feel emotional.
"William you're safe! What about the others?" For some reason, William's innocent eyes suddenly turned into darkness - looking past through her.
"They're…They -."
Standing with trembling feet, Juno realized something when she looked into William's eyes.
The heat burns their skin as the flames grew above the ground. There's nothing that surrounds them, but flames and fears.
Long silence came in, as if it was louder than the burning grounds. She tried her best not to believe what she realized at that moment, but still – her head slowly looked behind.
Only to see her friends burn.
~~~~~
Juno woke up when she heard the loud banging from the front door. However, there's a glimmer of doubt in her eyes wondering if she's still dreaming or not. Her snow – white skin even became paler whenever she recalls her terrible nightmare.
"What is it now?" She mumbled to herself, feeling irritated at the loud noise.
"Juno! Oh, Junooo!"
As soon as she heard the voice, she immediately got up from bed and fixed her messy dark short hair. Her quick movements made the pillows fall on the floor, leaving the floor untidy. She didn't even bother to ask who it was, because she knew it's William.
"What are you even thinking? It's five in the morning, and besides – it's raining." Juno crossed her arms. She's obviously waiting for him to answer. William couldn't tell if she's mad or just confused, her stone-cold eyes wouldn't let anyone easily read her emotions.
"I know it's early so I'm sorry, it's just really important. Could you let me in please?" William explained with a pleasing smile on his face, similar to a begging child.
"Of course. Please come in." Juno's cold response made William slightly jump out of joy, as if he visited for the very first time.
These two had been friends ever since childhood. They live in a private residence, Rose Scented Village. Same street, same town. Both of them share familiar things with each other that they're interested in, from music to dark colors, they even share the same topics and knowledge. Closest friends often have a lot of things in common, the greatest example is Juno and William.
William is a tall guy with jet black hair and fair skin. He usually wears a plain black long sleeve. His hands are thin and beautiful, his style seems to be a little dark but attractive. However, his humble eyes are the opposite of his appearance. It has crystal blue color, which is very pleasant to look at.
When it comes to Juno, everyone knows that she's a witty one. No soul would ever fool her, as her mind is indeed tough to play tricks on. Her pale skin and fierce dark eyes would be the very first thing that people notice whenever they meet her. Anyone would be intimidated at her silent yet sharp expressions that speaks power and knowledge. Having a long hair isn't her cup of tea, ever since childhood she kept her dark hair short in a bob haircut with a touch of side bangs. She loves to wear long coats in a dark color. You won't see her wear a high heeled shoe, but you'll see her wear some loafers and boots.
People assumes that Juno is a very guarded and serious person to get close with. Though, she is in some ways, but only those people who knew her very well that she also has a golden heart.
"Well, thanks a lot. I see you haven't packed your things yet." William said as he hangs his umbrella and remove his brown soaked sneakers.
"Pardon?" Juno gave a confused look at William while making some coffee; obviously not knowing what's beyond his mind.
"What? You haven't had even the slightest idea?" He surprisingly asked.
"I'm all ears." She answered while giving a cup of coffee to him.
"I assume you haven't read any mails yet? Our friend sent it for you last week as far as I remember. Anyways, you have to pack your things. We'll travel to -."
"You mean, Clarence?" Juno asked out of curiosity, cutting off William's words.
"Yes." He confirmed.
Juno rushes outside to see her mailbox, quickly opening her front door. She rarely went outside, it's just not her nature. She would prefer to just sit and read books, having her self-time.
"Oh, what's the fuss all about? Pardon if I didn't knock. Can I come in?" Clarence unexpectedly stood outside the door while he's folding his umbrella, he noticed Juno's sudden reaction as she was not expecting him to appear when she opened the door. He kept on fixing his eyeglasses every second that it falls down.
"Come in brother! Juno wouldn't mind!" William welcomes their friend Clarence and pulls him inside, being joyful to see him after a long week being at home.
Clarence went inside wiping his wet glasses, noticing Juno's eyes looking at him.
"What's the matter?" He asked.
"Well...I haven't seen your mail yet." Juno explained feeling worried.
"Don't worry about it. In fact, I came here to talk about that." Clarence spoke as he handed a new medium sized book at Juno, entitled "The History of Sorcery" with an animated battling witches drawn in the cover.
Juno stared at him having no idea what's the book for.
"I bought a new copy for you. I loved it when I read it, I'm sure you will too." He smiled gaily at her.
"...Thank you." She answered quietly while gazing at her brand-new book, not letting them see her blushing face, although it's transparent to them that she does appreciate it.
Same as Juno, Clarence have so much love for books. She had received plenty of valuable books from Clarence. Although, she couldn't understand why Clarence treats her that way. He knows the kind of books Juno would love, and sometimes he visits just to read and talk about books. Juno has a small library where she collects her books; that's where they spend most of their time reading and drinking coffee.
Speaking of this young man, Clarence is a kindhearted being. He always wears his eyeglasses that sometimes falls down on his nose. His height is quite like William. You could see his tenderness through his serene hazel eyes. Unlike William and Juno, Clarence has a very calm and vintage sense of style. You'd see him move around carrying books in his hands. He wears a casual brown vest with a formal polo inside with a necktie. His vest compliments his slim body. However, he visits here not very often but only occasionally. That's because he lives in another town called Birch Oak Town. He is also a childhood friend of William and Juno. Clarence once lived in Rose Scented Village and that's where the three of them met. He moved next town due to some family matters.
"But where's my present?" William asked a little bit sadly.
"Oh - I had no idea you'd be here. By the way Juno, do you have any plans ahead?" Clarence asked Juno at once, changing the topic to a more necessary one.
"Not really." Juno answered.
"Well then, it's settled. We're going to Sacred Greens." Clarence confirmed as he rests into a chair, happily drinks his coffee.
"We'll help you pack your things up... and probably, also clean." The three of them looked around inside Juno's quite messy home. Not really, just a little bit with books laying around and some unfolded clothes.
Some time had passed and the three of them sank on the sofa. They have cleaned the house and rested for a meanwhile, but Juno remembers her nightmare vividly.
"Do you think we really have to go there?" She hesitantly asked, as if something's bothering her mind and guts.
"Why not?" William asked smirking.
"I had a dream, exactly before William came in... It terrified me as if it was real." Juno sat still with her head low and stared at the floor, remembering the scene where every one of them died in a burning ground.
"You can spill it out if you want to." Clarence gave a soft pat on her shoulders as she is visibly distraught.
"Sure, if you insist to know. I recall seeing every friend I know – we know – dying in flames. Including you, Clarence." Juno directly stated and gave a stern look into his eyes.
"Was I there?" William asked out of curiosity.
"Everyone was. But I remember being with you at the beginning. We were... searching for each other. I remember the look on your face..."
The air around them somehow changed. There'fraught silence. The three of them were thinking about the dream. They were thinking if it has a meaning or not, if it's simply just a nightmare. On the other hand, Juno didn't even know about the vacation and reunion – so how come she would have this kind of dream?
"Bloody hell Juno, it's a complete nonsense! It's just a dream after all." William suddenly spoke, trying to get rid of all the tension.
"He's got a point, you know? Maybe try to forget about it. It's not the reality after all, right?" Clarence reassured Juno. Although he's also bothered by it - but giving comfort would be a better idea.
Juno remained silent until she saw the bag of garbage on the floor.
"Excuse me – I'll be back for a while, let me just dump this outside." She suddenly stood up and took the garbage away with her.
Her quick actions made it clear that she's worrying too much. Both of her friends noticed her tensed body but decided to let her be calm by herself. She strode outside gripping the garbage bag and her mail box key.
She immediately opens the cover of the garbage bin and threw the trash inside, and then she unconsciously dropped the cover making a loud sound of metal.
She stood there for a minute and then remembered about the mail Clarence sent for her. Juno decided to open her mailbox and search for his mail, opening the letter and pulling out a piece of parchment from inside.
Dear, Juno.
How's your week going? I haven't heard from both of you in a while. I truly apologize if I hadn't sent a letter for some time, I've been busy with my academics, work and a lot of things. I sent this mail to inform you about the upcoming reunion at Sacred Greens with our friends, including William, Nathan, Rica, Finley and Sam. I also invited your brother, George. The desired time is at 7 in the evening, sharp.
Hoping to see you soon, Juno. I will visit there in the morning before the event.
Have a great weekend!
Sincerely, Clarence.