Chapter 8: The Picnic Departure
The morning air was filled with excitement as the orphanage children gathered, their faces shining with anticipation. Lady Emma, the black-haired woman in her late 30s, stood at the forefront, her calm demeanor hiding the joy she felt seeing the children so lively. With her were two of the helpers, both sturdy and friendly, who always watched over the children during their trips.
Raven stood off to the side, his usual quiet self, observing the others with a mix of curiosity and caution. His wind manipulation had become smoother over the past week, but the thought of venturing outside the orphanage walls still made him hesitant. He had always kept a low profile, preferring the shadows. But today was different; he would be surrounded by others.
"Raven, come on!" called out Elara, a cheerful smile lighting up her face. She waved him over excitedly. The other children were already in high spirits, chatting among themselves, eager to get moving. Raven gave her a small nod, the familiar sense of unease swirling inside him, but he joined the group anyway.
Lady Emma led them toward a cart that was drawn by a pair of horses. The picnic spot was said to be a clearing near the edge of the forest, a perfect place for the children to play and for the adults to relax and enjoy a break from their duties.
As they all climbed into the cart, Raven kept close to Elara, who was filled with energy, asking him about his favorite games and what he hoped to do at the picnic. His responses were muted, careful not to reveal too much.
The cart began its journey, and as they passed the familiar gates of the orphanage, Raven felt a small pang of anxiety. He kept his gaze low, watching the dirt path as it stretched out before them. Stay calm, Raven. Don't let your guard down. You don't want to attract attention.
Elara, completely unaware of Raven's inner thoughts, was talking non-stop. "I can't wait to play in the forest! I hope we can explore! Do you think we'll see any animals?" she asked, her voice brimming with excitement.
Raven just nodded in response, glancing around at the other children, feeling the weight of their collective excitement. It was rare for him to experience these moments—being surrounded by others, laughing, and playing. He didn't like it, but he understood that sometimes, blending in was just as important as hiding his abilities.
Lady Emma sat at the front, her eyes scanning the road ahead, ensuring the safety of everyone on the trip. One of her helpers, a tall man with a gruff but kind face, was steering the horses. The other, a woman with short brown hair, sat next to him, occasionally chatting with Lady Emma about the day's plans.
As the cart moved on, the rhythmic sound of the horses' hooves filled the air. Raven's gaze occasionally shifted to the forest that bordered the path, his mind wandering. What if something happens today? What if I need to use my abilities? The question lingered in his mind as the picnic slowly approached.
For now, all he could do was act like the others, enjoy the fleeting moments, and remain on edge, prepared for whatever the day might throw his way.
Lady emma comes to him and says " You look you are a little worried about something Raven . If it is about monsters don't worry the forest we are visiting is just a small one and also it was cleared out of any dangerous animals and small monsters just a few months ago under the baron's orders ".she smiled and said you shouldn't worry about anything and should enjoy your childhood
Raven said " Thank you for telling me miss emma". And went back to elara who grabbed onto him and started chatting again.
While Raven kept on thinking something was not feeling right. But he decided to just put it aside as he couldn't do anything about the feeling.