Sometimes, I have these premonitions.

They are not sight of the future per se, more like a sense or a feeling. Like the sense of pain one feels as they injure themselves, maybe the premonitions too are there just to ensure my well being.

These premonitions are not always accurate, they may be a hit at times or a miss at other. So far, the benefits of this little quirk has yet to be seen. Yet nothing can be done, as these premonitions hit me time and time again, distracting me from my peace and quiet.

Today, I had one such premonition- it seems a disastrous event will soon be taking place.

Now, I know living in a place where a disaster could strike at any moment, having a bad premonition is not something quite out of odinary.

What makes today an exception, is this strong sense that I have never experienced before. It's as if my entire being is telling me to flee the village before the disaster strikes.

Should I flee the village.

Fleeing the village might be an option, but the unknown terrain beyond the woods is quite unsettling to say the least.

I remember, upon being asked as to why we weren't allowed to leave the village, the pastor said,"Beyond the forest lies darkness awaiting to swallow those who are unworthy to enter. You all are still kids, undeveloped mana, weak body and unstable minds. Let alone combat what's beyond you won't even be able to walk or breath properly in the darkness. You are at the age to play in the village, let the elders protect you people. Once fifteen when your training starts, you might survive a day or two in those dark woods, go explore what's beyond by yourself at the time."

Makes one wonder what lies beyond that darkness. Well, curiosity is curiosity, but taking such a risk to escape is beyond realistic as it stands.

Contemplating over these thoughts, as I sit on the chapel stairs, drifting my eyes from the floor beneath the feets, toward the fields that cover the plane ahead enclosed with a wood and stone fence, but what catches my attention are the sight of those dauntingly large trees margining the dark woods beyond the village territory.

Visible above the fence, from this distance, makes one wonder how large those trees might be up close. Dark barks, arranged as if forming a distorted face for the trees, the presence of those trees itself can only be defined as terrifying. Just the thought of passing through that forest during my escape gives me the goosebumps.

Can I make it through those dreadful woods?

Is there another route I can use to escape?

Will I even be able to make it out in one piece once I leave this village?

What comes after that?

Where do I go from then?

Can I chance upon such a shelter again?

Will they accept an outsider of an unknown origin like me?

....

Strangled in the web of these chaotic thoughts, unaware of the occurrences beside me, I feel a hand tussle my hair, jolting me back to reality.

"What are you doing, old pastor?! Why are you messing up my perfect hair?"

Fixing my hair, I yell at the old man standing in front of me.

"Perfect my ass! Did you even take a look at yourself?"

"Why were you pulling at your own hair like crazy with a blank expression on your face?"

"Are you depressed or something, my boy?..

...Did the kids bully you again for your black hair and eyes?...

...Or, don't tell me, you overheard some adults talking about it?"

"Just tell me who they are and I will make sure to teach them a lesson...."

"....how could they say such a thing, having black hair or eyes, though extremely rare, is not an impossible thing to occur. Some place south even worships them as a sign of good luck. ...how stupid of them...

...how stupid! ...how stupid! ...stupid!... stupid! ...stupid!...

...anyways, you know you can always talk to me about those things."

As old pastor rambled on and on, wind blew by, swaying with it his overgrown beard. Looking at his face, he seems genuinely concerned about me, with a warm smile and those caring eyes, he seems a lot gentler now than he has ever been.

Well kids giving me a hard time is not something new, overhearing the villagers talk about me isn't a rare occurrence either. Well, it cant be helped, as they are still unable to trust me completely. But his words do give me comfort nonetheless, knowing that there is someone you can trust, and someone who trusts you in a place like this is quite reassuring.

Hmm... but, this is something new, as he has always been a lot more jovile and ...well ...annoying, to say the least.

"Do you feel lonely? Need a wife? Tell me and this old man will find one for you, from the village over if necessary."

"Don't mess around old man, dont you have work to do?" Glaring at him, I said.

"How can you say such crap with a straight face?"

"Well, I was only giving a suggestion, don't take it if you dont want to. Why do you have to yell at this old man like that? Ah! My heart hurts! My son shattered it to pieces! What's this poor old man to do?"

Saying so, he clutches his chest in a overdramatic way with his only arm, he looks more comedic than the contrasting robe on his burly built. The familiar old pastor is back.

"Don't go around calling me your son old man." As I say that an unfathomable emotion comes over me, it's as if the clouds over my head are cleared somewhat. Unknowingly a slight smile escape my lips.

Is this called joy? Or is it affection?

Is this what having fun is like?

Is this what those kids playing the fields always feel like with their parents around?

Is this also the reason, why other kids at the chapel always keep smiling?

As the thoughts overwhelm me, i decide to consult the pastor. Turning around only to find that he has left with a big grin on his face.

I have never seen the pastor this genuinely happy in the past two years that I've known him.

How can I think of abandoning the village in this situation?

I was stupid to only think of myself.

I am ashamed, it feels as though I have betrayed the pastor's trust in me, as well as my own beliefs.

Pastor has always taught to keep hold of what's dear to oneself, to never let go.

How could I think of abandoning the pastor who took in an unknown outsider, knowing this may cause distrust among other villagers.

How could I think of abandoning this chapel, that has sheltered me for the past two years.

I have decided, come what may, I will not abandon the pastor or the chapel or the village.

....

Come to think of it, pastor's well built figure, the missing right arm and the sharp glint in his eyes, all point towards a heroic as well as a tragic, tale in his past.

Alex Ironblood, the self proclaimed pastor of this unnamed village's rundown chapel. A half-dwarf by race, quite an uncommon one, considering the dwarven race, unlike elves, hold quite a negative opinion towards the humans, or so I've heard.

Looking at his pure white-silver hair he must have been alive for a century and a half, slightly longer than an average human's entire life. Not having a story or two at this point in life, would be weird in itself.

But whatever the case, it's improper to pry in other person's past without consideration.

Not to mention, my own past is more concerning topic than anyone else's.

From what the old pastor told me, I was found unconscious in the dark woods just outside the forest.

Distrusting as the villagers are of the outsiders, my fate was to be met with death and buried in the fields, as to avoid me turning into an undead. It is only due to the pastor's intervention that I am able to contemplate over these thoughts today.

Sigh... this makes me feel even more guilty, to think I was harbouring the thoughts of abandoning a kind man like him. How heartbroken would he have been if I were to run away. No, he would have been more worried about my safety, possibly chasing after me, if that were to ever happen.

....

"Hey Nova since you got nothing to do, why not lend me a hand tending the fields."

"Coming, old man."

Responding, I walk towards the field. Seeing as how the grains have turned golden-brown, the harvesting season is upon us.

As I look at the sun reaching overhead shining dimly in the orange sky, the noon approaches ever so close.

Closing my eyes as I breathe in the regular old, slightly murky air, a refreshing feeling hits me.

....

Today, I had a bad premonition.

Now, living in a place disaster could strike at any moment, having such a premonition is nothing new.

What makes today special though, is that it feels less cloudy in the head today.

With the chaotic thoughts cleared away, I made a decision-

come what may I will face it head on.

Weather this decision is right or not?

Whether the bad premonition I have will come true or not?

Only the future can tell.

But, whatever it may be, I will embrace it as it was my own choice to make and that would be the consequence of my choice.

For the first time since I gained consciousness two years ago, I am looking forward to the future that is to come.