The crunching of river stones underfoot could be heard as the group eventually arrived at their first stop rather refreshed. They would sleep out in the forest for the night and many of the children began to voice complaints. Most of the whining voices were about food and shelter but the adults answered that with a simple pouch.

The pouch was the only one of its kind in the region a worth several decades of the academy’s budget. of course Mr Luper Mr Gilbert and two other adults that seemed to be teachers began bragging about it, but it was indeed very useful. the groups amenities like clothing were stored in the pouch (packed by their parents). Ciaran's stuff was kept with one of the other adults in another pouch that looked remarkedly similar but Ciaran was too engrossed in what happened next to care.

the teacher's bodies seemed to glow and the ground began to rise, trees grew out of the ground and covered the, dazzling green lights bounced around and red sparks lit braziers. it was so much wonder, but also short lived and the children had to do their chores. some cleared the bush around the camp (with supervision) while others began coking.

Ciaran had never done anything like it, but he gave his best shot following the teacher's advice and the recipe. there were all manner of strange ingredients that only held an inkling of a semblance to what he normally ate, but much his dismay the dirt was being cleaned off by a different group.

the result, was edible. it was neither great nor disgusting. in the end it was just a meal and no one had any complaints... other than the person peeling 43 potatoes. in the south his struggle should be justified. but the skin of these potatoes were mildly poisonous. not enough to make a child with a good immune system sick, but enough to warrant their removal.

after dinner were a few skits and stories to whittle away the last of the children's energy before bed. the ground was hard, but Ciaran's thoughts were elsewhere. he wondered why he had such dark thoughts earlier in the day, it was like there was something hiding in the recesses of his mind. the child knew that such thoughts should not surface, they scared the boy. but the child did not know how to forget, he didn't know how to forget something he didn't remember.

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Ciaran wanted to scream, he wanted to cry, he wanted to do something! anything! a stuffy feeling had built up in his heart and he did not know why, every question was not his own. he wanted to cry out to the world, he wanted to ask why? just why? it was not out of curiosity but frustration, there were too many things he did not understand, he felt... he felt the world changing beneath him.

Ciaran was burdened by concerns that were not his own, some would say he was born in the wrong era. but others would say the wrong species.

a flickering candle answered his concerns, and for the first and last time Ciaran was granted pity buy the world. his memories and concerns melting away into a pool of wax.

the following morning Ciaran woke and ventured outside the camp. he sat on a tree stump and looked up to the sky. the boy took a moment to look around. his entire body felt lighter somehow and he didn't know why. Ciaran took the opportunity to enjoy himself with his newfound freedom. the tress, the flowers, the dark blue sky that lightened with every passing minute. he felt like he could smell the morning chill, and it was invigorating. Ciaran's peace was only interrupted when Mr Gilbert came over and sat down with a cup of warm and dark green liquid for Ciaran.

"hey bud, what are you doing out here?"

"watching"

"here it'll warm you up"

Mr gilbert handed over the cup before joining Ciaran in just relaxing. he stood there with Ciaran until the sun was visible through the tall canopy of the forest. after that he left to attend to the children leaving Ciaran with a few words

"take things slow. there is no rush, the world isn't going anywhere... it's a beautiful day, maybe we will get to see the birds on our way."

"mm"

Ciaran held onto the now empty cup for a while longer before the sound of the other children moved him back to the camp.