CURSE OF THE REDWOOD SHRINE (2)

After receiving treatment in Chara town's infirmary, the seven-year-old Marshall clambered back to Avidity Premises, leaning on a bamboo cane. 

The sun was setting, bringing blue dusk. 

For half an hour, he faltered by the locked marbled gate, staring at the engraved sign that read 'True Path, Discipline and Purity.'

Aside from going to the mountains, he had broken other rules as well. Marshall counted on his fingers.

Left the Avidity Premises without permission. Went to the mountains. Fractured his knee. Missed the curfew. 

Truth be told, he didn't know what the word 'fractured' meant, nor whether it was against the rules. The physician lady looked annoyed, so he couldn't ask her. 

However, Marshall wasn't going to tell Master about going to the mountains, so he folded one finger.

Then folded one more. Although Master Gi Shan got mad whenever Marshall hurt himself, it wasn't against the rules.

With a long sigh, he looked up again, and made eye contact with an older disciple sneaking out of the dorm.

As soon as he saw Marshall standing there, he let out the most disappointed groan, and ran to get Master Gi Shan. 

The child stood by the gate, shifting his weight uncomfortably on his bamboo cane. His heart pounded as he heard the marching footsteps approaching.

Master Gi Shan, with his stern expression and piercing eyes, emerged from the study halls, the older disciple trailing behind. 

After a minute of furious jingling of keys, the gate was unlocked.

Master Gi Shan's gaze fixed on Marshall, a variety of expressions flashing over his face. Fatigue, concern, anger, and a bit of relief.

"Shei Marshall," Master's voice was stern, as expected, "what have you done?"

Marshall's throat went dry. "I... I left the premises without permission."

"And?" Master Gi Shan prompted, his eyes narrowing.

"I fractured my knee..." Marshall admitted, pointing to the bandaged limb.

Master Gi Shan's expression hardened. "And where did you go?"

Marshall hesitated, his mind racing. "I went to Chara town. There's a hill with steep stairs. I fell down there."

Master Gi Shan studied him for a moment before stepping aside. "Enter."

Marshall bowed his head, hopping through the gate on one foot. 

"Return to your room. We will discuss your punishment in the morning," Master Gi Shan stated in a cold voice, locking the gate after the child had entered.

Chills rand down his back. Master being calm was scarier than him yelling. 

"Yes, Master."

As Marshall turned to limp back to the dormitory, he couldn't shake the feeling of dread.

It felt as if the encounter with the dark creature in the mountains left something behind in his chest, but telling Master Gi Shan would only bring more trouble.

Marshall was no fool. He wasn't going to tattletale on himself.

➳ ➳ ➳

Months had passed, and the shadowy creature in the mountains had faded from Marshall's thoughts. 

He continued his life at the Avidity Premises, lounging around and playing games with the disciples. 

The occasional suffocating pain in his chest was easily ignored, dismissed as a minor inconvenience that would eventually pass.

One evening, Marshall was sitting outside the study halls with a group of older disciples. They gathered in the cool, fading light, their expressive faces illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns. 

"I'll tell you," Marshall boasted with a confident grin, "when I turn ten, and become a disciple, I'll easily surpass all of you. You'll see! I won't even have to lift a finger!"

The older disciples looked at him, pointing their fingers in amusement, murmuring "look at this guy" between themselves. 

Before anyone could come up with a retort, a cleaner lady ambled by, her broom sweeping softly against the stone floor. She glanced at the group, a look of mild disapproval on her face.

"Do you not know the time? It's well past the curfew. Go to your rooms," she called out firmly. 

Her chiding caused a ripple of nervous chatter among the group. They all stood up, exchanging uneasy glances.

"Didn't you hear me?" she tapped the ground with her broom. "There's been a report of a wandering demon near the Eastern Mountains. If it wanders onto Avidity Premises, it'll grab whoever's outside."

Once she left, Marshall waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it. No demon has entered Avidity Premises before. It won't happen now either."

The disciples, although hesitant, were just as young and naive, and decided to linger outside. 

Their conversation soon picked up the volume anew, turning into to a heated discussion between the disciples over who was the most skilled. Marshall watched them for a while, growing annoyed. 

"You can stop arguing, none of you is good enough," his youthful voice arrogantly declared. 

"Tch. What do you know? You haven't studied a day in your life," retorted the eldest disciple of the group, barely over the age of twelve.

Marshall scoffed, leaning back on his arms, "Well, Master Gi Shan says your assignments are so bad that they can't even be used to line the bottom of a birdcage!"

"Shut it or I'll shove you into a birdcage," the eldest threatened, giving Marshall a light shove.

The push was meant in jest, but as soon as Marshall was nudged, he staggered and his face contorted in pain.

A searing agony erupted in his chest, causing him to clutch at his ribs and gasp for breath. He doubled over, struggling to catch his breath as the pain intensified.

"Why did you hit him?!" another disciple shouted, his voice tinged with panic as he watched Marshall in distress.

"I barely touched him!" the eldest protested, his eyes shifting guiltily.

The eldest disciple grabbed Marshall roughly, shaking him. "Stop pretending! I didn't hurt you!" he shouted.

But all air was choked out of Marshall, leaving him like a mute doll.

Panic quickly spread through the group. "Let's leave! We didn't do anything!"

The disciples fled in terror, their hurried footsteps fading into the distance.

"Wait... don't go..." Marshall tried to follow, but fell to the ground.

Then he saw the shadowy creature emerging from the darkness. It moved across the grassy training fields, its eerie form twisting and writhing in the dim light. 

Marshall's eyes widened in terror as the whispers filled his mind.

"...child... the times of await will soon be over..."

The closer the shadow came, the heavier the air became. Marshall's world seemed to narrow to the shadowy figure and the darkness closing in on him.

Just when he thought this might be the end, a swift flash of light cut through the gloom.