Chapter II
Beware the whispers of the unknown
In hushed tones, the whispers spread,
Of legends old, of tales unsaid,
A place where mystery takes its hold,
And the tales of folklore make the bold.
They spoke of restless spirits lost,
Of haunted woods and spirits crossed,
Each word a cautionary tale,
To heed the warnings, never fail.
The ghostly figures in moonlit night,
Their haunting cries, a chilling sight,
They wander through the shadowed trees,
Eerie echoes carried by the breeze.
But amidst the fear and eerie lore,
A lesson lies, forevermore,
To venture with care, and heed the wise,
For in these tales, caution lies.
The mysterious legends may captivate,
But tread lightly, lest you tempt fate,
Respect the power that lore bestows,
And let caution guide wherever it goes.
**End of Poem.
**
I have been in the picturesque town of Willowbrook for about three months. I remember like it was yesterday....
It was a warm summer day when I arrived in the small town of Willowbrook. The town was surrounded by dense forests and rolling hills, giving it a mysterious vibe that seemed to draw people in. As I walked down the main street, I couldn't help but notice how friendly and welcoming the locals were. It was as if everyone knew each other and were always ready to lend a helping hand.
I decided to explore the town and soon found myself wandering through its charming streets. The houses were quaint and cozy, their gardens full of colorful flowers and lush greenery. As I continued to walk, I began to realize that the town was much more than just its mysterious vibe. It was a place where people cared for one another, where community was everything.
I soon discovered that Willowbrook was also home to a number of small businesses and shops. I stopped by a quaint little bakery, where I was greeted by the smell of freshly baked bread and sweet pastries. The owner, a friendly woman with a warm smile, welcomed me and recommended some of her best treats. I couldn't resist and ended up leaving with a bag of delicious goodies.
As that day turned into evening, I found myself sitting at a local pub, enjoying a cold drink and some good company. The locals were eager to chat and tell me about the town's history. They spoke of the mysterious legends and folklore that surrounded the area, but also of the warmth and kindness of the people who lived there. Most importantly that is how I met my best friend, Ivy.
Present Day
It was a chilly evening in Willowbrook and the Cozy Crave dinner sat in the middle of the town, its warm and inviting lights drawing in a steady stream of customers. The restaurant had been a staple of the town for years, and its reputation for great food and cozy ambiance had only grown over time.
As I walked in, I could smell the delicious aroma of freshly cooked food wafting through the air. The restaurant was bustling with activity, and I could see happy diners enjoying their meals and chatting away. I could feel the warmth of the fireplace as I approached my table, which was set with a candle and a small vase of flowers.
I perused the menu, which offered a variety of dishes from all over the world. The Cozy Crave was known for its fusion cuisine, which combined different flavors and techniques to create unique and delicious dishes.
As I waited for my food, I sipped on a cup of coffee and watched the world go by outside. The cozy atmosphere of the restaurant made me feel relaxed and content.
"Hey, girl!" Ivy said, while placing her bag on the empty chair beside her. She had her long, blonde flowing hair out today. I smiled at her and offered her the menu.
She ordered a coffee as the waitress came and took our order. As we sipped our drinks, Ivy mentioned that there was a new guy who had transferred in the middle of the semester.
"Have you met him yet?" Ivy asked. "No, not yet," I replied. "What's he like?" "Well," Ivy said, "he seems nice enough, but there's something about him. I can't quite put my finger on it." I was intrigued. Ivy was usually a good judge of character, so if she had a feeling about this new guy, I knew it was worth investigating further.
The waitress brought our orders and place them on the table.
I decided to try their signature dish, the Cozy Crave Burger, which was a juicy beef patty topped with crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and a special sauce.
When my burger arrived, it was everything I had hoped for and more. The flavors were perfectly balanced, and the burger itself was cooked to perfection.
We continued our light hearted conversation before I glanced at my wrist and noticed the time.
"I have to go" as I bid Ivy farwell with a kiss on her cheek. "See you later, bestie". "Wait, are you going to the Masquerade Ball in a couple of weeks?" Rolling my eyes and with a firm "no", I continued to walk out the diner with every intention of my focus staying strictly on school.
Passing by the beautiful willow trees, Lily noticed a new face among the students. He was handsome beyond words, with eyes that seemed to hold a hint of mystery. Intrigued, I couldn't help but be drawn to him. Questioning myself, "what am I doing? Just avoid eye contact, Lily."
As Lily was rushing to class with her stack of books precariously balanced in her arms, she accidentally bumped into a charming young man. They both stumbled and fell to the ground, their laughter filling the air like sweet melodies.
"I'm so sorry" apologizing profusely for my clumisness avoiding eye contact as he placed the spilled books into my hands.
Grabbing the last seat in the back of the classroom.
I heard the facilitator walk into the classroom, all eyes turned towards her. She scanned the room, taking in the rows of desks and the eager faces of the students. The air was thick with anticipation, as everyone waited to hear what she had to say.
The facilitator smiled warmly and began to speak as she normally does. "As your instructor I want to make sure you understand my role as your instructor," she explained. She went on to outline the objectives and expectations for the semester, and encouraged the students to participate fully and ask questions.
As she spoke, the students began to relax and settle into their seats. They could sense that this facilitator was not like others they had encountered before. She seemed genuinely interested in their success, and eager to help them achieve their goals. "Because I came midterm. I do not want us to get off on the wrong foot. So, I am going divide everyone into groups."
She introduced a new activity called "Mirror Reflection" to everyone.
Above all the whispers were excitment to try it out, but I was a little nervous.
The facilitator explained that the purpose of the activity was to practice speaking words of affirmation and self-love while looking into a mirror. "With the current turn of events that has happen on campus. I think we need an activity such as this."
The first participant stepped up to the mirror and took a deep breath. She looked at herself in the mirror and started speaking. "I am strong. I am beautiful. I am capable of achieving my goals." As she spoke, she could feel a sense of warmth spreading throughout her body.
It was my turn to speak words of kindness and love to myself. Staring at the dreadful mirror. I started to feel the butterflies in my stomach. I gulped down the salvia that had started to pool in my mouth. Slowly I said, "I am worthy. I am loved. I am enough." "That wasn't so bad, now was it?" The facilitator asked.
Each participant took their turn, and as they did, they started to feel a sense of empowerment.
The activity continued until everyone had taken their turn. As the group finished, they all felt a sense of self-love and positivity. The facilitator thanked everyone for participating and reminded them that it's important to speak kindly to themselves every day.
"Now this a speech class," said a red head student sitting in front of me.
Everyone seemed inspired with this lesson. "I'm glad that everyone enjoyed this activity. Our next assignment will involve partners."
Moans and groans were heard all around.
But funny thing about fate you never know when it will intervened.
At that moment, fate intervened and the guy that collided with me in the hallway was just assigned as my partner.