CHAPTER 4- DOWN MEMORY LANE

From the outlook and general appearance of the teacher, we knew we were up for a supreme dose of boredom personified. We all looked expectantly or rather groaned inwardly at the fact that we were all mandated to attend the History lesson else, we risk a really low grade point at the first half of the semester which hampers the chance of attending your own graduation due to the outstanding courses. We had to take the class pretty seriously and the shabby looking man wasn't helping.

"I'm told this is the graduating set?" the teacher inquired.

"We are sir," the class chorused.

"Well, sorry to burst your bubble. You wouldn't be graduating if you get anything lower than a D grade in this class. So y'all better buckle up and listen attentively else, you can kiss graduating this year goodbye." He stated matter of factly.

We were all stunned at his brashness but he continued to spread fear into our spines with his hard to impress potential.

"I'm called Mr. Orwell, your worst nightmare. We are going to be discussing the Fall of the Aryan Race proposed by German General Adolf Hitler." His questioning dark orbs scanned the room for a culprit but he found none in particular.

The sleep that was threatening to overshadow my vision and focus disappeared without a trace in a split second as I listened to Mr. Orwell ramble on and on about Adolf Hitler and the plans he made for the creation of an Aryan Race made up of only full blooded Germans.

I was beginning to have a splitting headache from the tension that racked the classroom, and I was starting to sense the walls close in on me, the claustrophobic sense started ticking and I knew I had to keep it at bay lest I draw too much attention to myself in this class headed by "our worst nightmare."

I couldn't turn to look at Skye and it felt good in a bad way because, I was particularly mad at the episode that transpired about an hour ago in the hallway. Looking at him would have made me angrier and probably evoked pity which I was not ready to take; I was beginning to sweat profusely like I was going to pass out.

*How did I get here? Let me take you back to when I started having great fear of enclosed spaces.

It all started in the Philippines, dad and mum were celebrating their five years wedding anniversary and in a bid to make the moment special, mum had planned a trip for the family in the beautiful city of Manila.

After the little party at home with family and close friends of my parents in attendance, we left California to spend the weekend in Manila. It was supposed to be a three-day trip, plus the exploration of the big Rivera Ranch that was housing a resort of some sort where we spent the nights in Manila.

We arrived late in the evening after flying from California to the Philippines and decided to rest before exploring the next day.

Dinner was on the house and it was really delicious.

I was glad to be with my family and I went to bed with that thought.

I was really giddy to be spending some quality time with my parents. I couldn't wait to get prepared for the trip to the Ranch. I got my gear ready and set out with the tour guide trailing behind me.

To cut the story short, because of how much I hate remembering that dreadful experience, I left my parents to explore the other parts of the ranch. I went farther from them, taking pictures of the horses, cattle, squirrels and other beautiful creatures. My guide was asking me to wait up, but being a curious little girl of five with fast and sturdy legs, I outran the middle-aged guide until I finally found myself alone in the restricted part of the ranch that was looking secluded and almost abandoned. Just then, a cute rabbit scurried past me and my love for animals made me follow its trail with the hope that it was going back to the ranch which was the same way I came. I believed it was a lost rabbit that wandered and we could both help each other out. It ran into a tunnel and looking at my size, I could fit. So I crawled into the hole.

Following the rabbit with nothing more than a lollipop I was licking and my phone, I panicked when I lost the rabbit and couldn't retrace my steps. I started to cry wishing I didn't leave my parents out there for some phony expedition. I kept pressing my phone to keep the tunnel bright a bit and get me close to the end of the tunnel. After groping in blackness for over an hour, I fell out of the tunnel. Back at the Ranch, my parents were on panic mode when I was nowhere to be found. I was beginning to feel abandoned to the worst fate that could befall a little girl on a trip with her family.

The rustling of the leaves, humid air and eerie sounds of the hidden creatures got me running in the direction I sensed would lead me into the waiting arms of my family. So much for a trip I thought and sprinted off like an animal targeted with the hunter's rifle about to be killed when I heard calculated footsteps in the opposite direction. I love to read and from stories and fables I have read, it has been stated that whenever you are alone in an unknown location and you hear footsteps, it is best to run in the opposite direction. I followed that advice and ran before I encountered the brown haired tour guide who looked at me with so much scrutiny to determine if I was fine.

"Oh dear me, you have bruises all over. Where did you end up going? I was right behind you before you disappeared. I'm sorry dear girl. I'm just glad you are okay." Marco, the guide said. I noticed the name on his tag and smiled apologetically for putting him under pressure.

"Where's my mummy and daddy?" I asked in a shaky voice.

"They are going to be alright now. Your mummy has been crying her eyes out, with your daddy beside her to comfort her." He said.

"Come on; let me get you back to your family. They'd be relieved to see you back."

I ran into my mum's embrace when I saw her and my dad gave me a kiss on my forehead.

"I'm sorry mum. I'm sorry dad. I was following a rabbit and I lost track of time and I got lost. I'm so so sorry to have made you cry on your anniversary mum. I didn't mean to get you worried dad." I held the end of my dirty gown in apology.

"Shhh...It's okay baby. We're glad you're fine darling. Let's get you cleaned up. Look at all those bruises." Dad spoke on mum's behalf as she could only cry and sniff into her handkerchief.

I was taken care of and we went back home the next day, mum couldn't get herself to be at ease after the whole "Chloe getting missing in the woods episode." I chose not to bother my parents about the whole situation and we never talked about it. Little did I know that, it was my undoing. The nightmares started coming with my subconscious concocting various scenes where the white rabbit is killed by the shadowy man I'm clueless about, but the footsteps are the last thing I hear before jerking awake and sweating.

It's been a long time since I recalled the story. At least, not after I got the necessary therapy needed to help me dispel the negative energy and thoughts.

By the time I got control of my mind again, the class was over.

I only heard the, "read up your notes on this topic. It's a very crucial one in this class. Many people take it lightly because they feel it is the first class, so it is not going to be important. On the contrary, this is the most important topic for the semester. Have a good day if you would please. Class dismissed."

With that, Mr. Orwell walked out of the class carrying his ancient diary with him.

"Chloe, Chloe...wait up," the voice I have come to recognize called me as I was about to leave the class.

"What is it Skye?! What exactly is your deal?! You barely know me and you seem like one who has been put up to a challenge to get me to fall for you! Stay the hell away from me!" I snapped at him.

He was visibly embarrassed by my outburst, since I snapped at him in public and I regretted it but didn't show it.

"Woah, I'm sorry it seems that way to you. I was just being concerned about you because you looked like you had seen a ghost back in class. And all I get for being nice is a public outburst? It's fine though, have it your way."

He walked out of the class and I could tell he was infuriated.

I didn't go after him, it was better that way and I just let him walk out the door.

"I have bigger fish to fry, Skye is the least of my problems. I have to get my mind off the nightmares and focus...it has been a dramatic first day. I need to go home." I walked briskly to the school's parking lot, fetched my keys and got into my beautiful car, collected my thoughts for a few minutes and then drove back home. Knowing mum wouldn't be back early, I had some time to get some sleep after taking some aspirin.

I went straight to my room after getting a doughnut from the fridge and drifted to the land of sleep.