The night enveloped the scene, the glow of the campfire flickering sporadically. A-Lai dashed toward the firelight. Branches on the roadside twisted in the wind, like the spectral hands of nocturnal phantoms, their claws reaching out like those of ravenous demons, chasing after A-Lai's footsteps. It seemed as if they were about to grab him, but always missed by a fraction.
A-Lai felt something trip him, and he stumbled, pain instantly shooting through his foot. He clenched his teeth, stifling a cry, not daring to stop, and resumed running."Rip," a sharp sound echoed, followed by searing pain in his arm. He glanced at his arm and saw that a branch had torn through his sleeve and slashed his skin, leaving a bleeding wound. He felt a surge of frustration, knowing he would have to mend his clothes again.
Hastily rolling up his sleeve, he sprinted into the school. The campfire's glow cast warm, cheerful light on everyone's faces. Surrounded by familiar faces and classmates, A-Lai felt like he was in a safe haeven. The scent of roasted marshmallows and laughter filled the air, making the night feel magical.
In the darkness behind him, an old tree trapped two huge, furry wolves. Its thick branches moved like they were alive, twisting the wolves' bodies until they were bent and whimpering in pain. In the patchy moonlight, the tree's strong trunk showed the faint outline of a monk meditating, as if doing some ancient ritual. This shadow was deeply carved into the tree's bark, giving off a mysterious and eerie feeling.
A chill ran down A-Lai's spine as he looked back. He knew this wasn't just an accident but something strange and powerful at work. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to ignore it and rejoin the warmth of the campfire, though he couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.
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"Hey, A-Lai, there you are! Did you get lost in the jungle?" called out a big kid, his tone a mix of teasing and excitement. A-Lai smiled and nodded, recognizing his friend, Barney. He playfully patted Barney's shoulder, saying,"Barney, you're always stealing my favorite marshmallows!"
"I got held up on the way," he replied, his ordeal in the darkness already forgotten as he joined the circle around the bonfire.
"A-Lai, don't forget your kung fu performance. It starts at nine tonight," said the principal, smiling, a hint of expectation in his eyes as he habitually stroked his greying beard, a sign of his excitement or nervousness.
"Principal Zhang, can't I skip the performance?" A-Lai was never one to show off, especially not in front of his classmates. He made one last attempt to get out of it.
"Go and get ready. You're one of the few who know kung fu around here. Do you want me to talk to your master?"The principal smiled to himself, thinking,"Young man, humility is a good thing, but you will need some wonderful memories in your future life."
"No, no, I'll go!" A-Lai's master was not a man to argue with. Performing was the better option. Several classmates stifled their laughter, their faces flushed in the firelight.
The strumming of a guitar added to the flickering firelight, creating a harmonious atmosphere, like a cozy blanket enveloping everyone. The firelight danced on their faces, highlighting their joy and camaraderie.
"In the moonlight, the stars in the sky,
We gather on the playground, the night comes alive.
Laughter fills the air, echoing so sweet,
Dancing on the blacktop, moving our feet.
Oh, summer night, playground delight,
Memories we make, under the silver light.
Surrounded by friends, joy and cheer,
We'll cherish these moments, as the years draw near."
Nearby, villagers gathered comfortably, while the principal occasionally added more wood to keep the bonfire burning brightly.
"Principal, how's my kid doing lately?"
"Your child is doing well!"
"Principal, don't be polite. If I don't discipline them for more than three days at home, they'll end up playing party on the roof!"
The principal laughed and responded,"Then you should ask them to bring a ladder to school."
The villager looked puzzled, and the principal continued with a laugh,"That way, they can easily go to high school!"
Just then, a few children playing tag accidentally bumped into the principal. He quickly steadied them, checking if they were hurt. The children laughed loudly but stood at attention, bowing respectfully upon seeing it was the principal. The others followed suit.
"Go on, be careful and don't get hurt."
The children laughed happily and ran off. The principal smiled, watching them, the firelight casting a red glow on his face, highlighting the towering school behind him. The building, a four-story structure with an impressive wooden framework and intricate eaves, was the grandest within a hundred miles. It was built over nearly a decade by villagers during their off-season, continuously expanding.
The principal, an outsider who had wandered here a decade ago, had voluntarily started teaching the children literature and history. The school's fame and size grew, attracting more students and teachers. Merchants passing by were amazed at the school, remarking that in neighboring towns, such grand buildings were reserved for officials, but the principal only smiled faintly in response.
Years passed, and the merchants noticed that while the village prospered, the neighboring country suffered from internal strife and power struggles.
A-Lai sprinted to the school's back garden, where the moonlight caressed the delicate forsythia flowers, their tiny blooms resembling stars, emitting a faint yellow glow. The petals swayed gently, like elves in the breeze, releasing a fresh fragrance that pierced the night's silence. A-Lai paused, bending down to inhale deeply, then ran around the building before entering the school's main hall.
The school was pitch black; no lights were lit tonight, save for the bonfire in the front courtyard. The firelight cast huge shadows that danced on the school walls. In the dark corridors, a few young figures played hide and seek, sometimes darting quickly, sometimes blending into the darkness.
The boys let loose this night, indulging in games usually not encouraged at school. The night's freedom erased the school's rules, giving them space to play. Laughter and whispers mingled in the dark, their excitement growing as the game continued. The bonfire's glow filtered through the windows, casting faint golden patches on the corridor floor, adding a touch of magic to the scene.
"Hey, want to join us?" a distant figure called out to A-Lai. He waved back, enviously eyeing the older students he didn't know well, then decided to find his own friends.
Whispers drifted from afar, like the wind brushing past the ancient wooden buildings.
"Is he really not coming?"
"No, he's already inside the classroom."
"Should I just go in and take care of him?"
"Be careful, don't make too much noise!" With that, a shadow moved stealthily along the corridor walls, lit by the flickering firelight, making its way toward A-Lai's classroom. At the end of the dark corridor, two high school students lay unconscious. It seems tonight will not be peaceful. Not only outside the school, but also inside, danger lurks everywhere.