“Dammit! ”How can I forget to ask her name? Did I talk to her without even asking what her name was? And introduce myself? Did I really skip the most important part? And worse, forget my honor? I turned to look at the station, having an urge to return and find the woman, in case she’s still there. But the time is ticking. I know finding her would cost me the opening ceremony of Pax. And I don’t want that. But I don’t want my honor to be tainted either. But it’s still uncertain whether I’ll really find her. And if I didn’t, then missing the ceremony would be all for naught. But how can I become the dove and set peace if I can even keep the promise and the rules I made to myself?
I’m now stuck in a dilemma. And I know any more thinking will waste more time. I should decide fast, or I’ll lose both chances. I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. This is what I always do when I can’t decide. I disregarded the noise in my surroundings, the foul smell, and the coins that had been cut over my pocket. I ignored all the unnecessary things in my head. My attention is now only in my heart. I heard only the heartbeat. Then I saw and smelled nothing.
After a few seconds, I opened my eyes, smiling. I felt my mind serene. I raised my hand, like a dove opening its wings. I decided to trust the wind. The carriage stopped in front of me. And I hopped in. “To Pax,” I said. This is where the wind, I think, will take me. It’s okay if I ignore my honor once, right?
I laid back on my seat, staring right ahead. I look toward where my future lies. Oblivious that the wind is brushing against me. Forgetting that if you can ignore something once, you can ignore it twice, three times, until you ignore it completely. Disregarding small things can make you disregard big things too. And I will realize it too late. I will realize it when I see what honor remains. And what it will cost me.
***
“Here,” I said, handing the money over to the carriage driver. It’s good that I came prepared. I didn’t put all of my money in my pocket like I usually do, or else it would also be pickpocketed. Like hell, I didn’t notice it. It must have been when I sneaked through the crowd.
When I saw the carriage continuing on its way, I turned my attention to the tall concrete walls behind me. It extends in a circular motion, reaching at least 10 feet in height. I could see barb wires following on top of it. If not for the pictures in the newspaper, I would think the carriage dropped me in the wrong place—a prison instead of a school.
I approached the thick iron gate standing in the center of the wall. Men in dirty white suits were surrounding it, extending through both sides. I read they were called Hawks. A force very much like a police force, except they were under the school and not the government. Their mission is solely to protect students from any possible threats. Whether it’s from a foe, friends, family, or higher authority, no one is an exception. They took a vow, and they will follow it ‘til death. It’s the last gift from the last good president. Remove them, and they will suffer the wrath of the masses. People also call them the Hope Keepers.
I also heard that one Hawk is equal to five policemen in strength. I wonder if it’s true, though. A hawk gestured for me to stop as I came near the gate. “State your purpose,” he said. his face hidden under the shadow of his mask. I think all of them are. Weird.
I took my envelope from my inner pocket and handed it to him. He checked and verified what was inside. Then she handed it back to me. I saw him nod at the other hawk, followed by the dragging sound of the gate. I smiled when a different smell of air blew across my face. I turned to look at the hawks, removed my top hat, put it on my chest, and bowed to them, “Thank you for your service and loyalty for the peace of the land. I also thank you, as you will start protecting me from now on, from the deepest of my heart.” I smiled and put back my hat. “May we see the dawn,” I said, entering through the gate with the murmur sounds of the hawks. May we see the dawn.
***
The hawks closed the iron gate again after I passed through, and with this, I could no longer see the view of the outside world. I’m now in this enclosed space, surrounded by walls, having no choice but to step forward. And prove myself worthy afterwards. Holding my case, I began to walk while feasting my eyes on the scenery in front of me. Luscious green gardens with colorful blooming flowers. Buzzing bees fly over its petals, and fountains drip its clear water. A grassy field with a stone pathway in its middle, leading on the way to this school's main building. A scene depicting peace is all I would say. And they did it almost perfectly.
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The main building made the wall look so small, with its height of over 160 feet. It follows the Renaissance architectural style, having a rectangular shape with a dimension of 86 meters long and 74 meters wide. This information is based on what’s written in the book that I read in Old Jack’s library. But seeing it in person made me doubt if they measured it correctly.
As I threaded through the path, I finally saw what I’m dying to see the most: the statue of a man wearing a top hat, along with a cape and suit. I could see the determined and fearless look in his eyes even when he was carved. He has a mustache and a monocle on his right eye, adding to this fearsome look. He holds his cane in front of him with both of his hands.
I went near the statue, feeling his name carved on the gold plate with my hand. My heart trembled as old memories resurfaced in my head. But I quickly shook it off. “Rodger King,” I whispered his name. He was no other than the man who made the land see the dawn. Made the criminals tremble, hide, and force them to live in harmony. The man who brought justice and mercy. He was the symbol of peace, as was The Dove.
I clenched my fist, staring at his figure once more. Then start walking again, this time faster. As if I’m scared that I will look back and spend my whole time looking at the statue. I entered through the main door with my hand holding the tip of my hat. Unaware of the tears dripping off my cheeks.
***
“Leaves fall, but new ones bloom. Another year was again passed at Pax. Another year with no peace. Maybe this is your last year here? Your second year? Or maybe you are new. Regardless, we have a mission, we have a dream, and we have people to protect: our families, friends, and loved ones. We entered here because we want them to experience peace; we want them to enjoy life without having to barrage their doors with locks at night. Live the day with news about something entertaining and relieving. Not thefts or killings. Without them having to worry if they will be the next, imagine if their death will be painful or not. A decade ago, Rodger King achieved it. It lasted for 7 years, a year full of bliss. Until they took it away. And now, three years have gone by since that dream. We are currently experiencing a nightmare. An ever-increasing crime and suicidal rate. People are starting to distrust each other, they are beginning to worry, and they are beginning to lose hope. Now, we ought to take it back. The peace that was once in our hands. The peace that Rodger King gave to us. So that our people will never lose hope. So that our land may see the dawn once again. You are now a fledgling! You left your home and your nest. You have the wings. And now you have to fly. And you’ll learn it here. You have three years to learn it here. Until somehow, someone in the brood flies high enough to become the symbol of peace. And become the dove! May we see the dawn! ”
The crowd burst into cheers as the principal ended his speech. I too shouted on top of my lungs, feeling something lit inside me. It’s my first time hearing such a powerful speech, and it made my heart tremble. It made me think that I made the right choice to come and choose the ceremony. And I could see that it’s the same for the people around me.
We are in the courtyard now—in the center of the main building. It took me a while to get here. Gladly, I’m not late, and the ceremony has not yet started. I focused my attention again on the man on the podium—the Principalis. A man in his fifties with a receding hairline. I noticed that he wasn’t finished talking and had something to say again. I sensed that it’s important, so I behaved myself, ready to absorb whatever information he’s going to give.
“Fledglings! ”He called out. The crowd went silent. When he saw the attention all focused on him, he resumed, “To have peace, we need order and rules. And this place is no exception. Pax has its own rules, and as a fledgling, you ought to follow them. Defy them, and you will see yourselves back in your nest.”
Silence continued, and I gulped as I realized again that this is different from your normal school. This is no place to play and fool around.
“First of all, you have 3 years, as I said earlier. In these 3 years, you need to uphold...” He raised his three fingers. “Three rules.”
“First rule: no violence unless required. You must remember that we are not barbarians or even more criminals. We are here to become a symbol of peace. And we can never achieve peace through violence.
“Second rule: no stealing. As you know, theft is the greatest sin of all. Every other sin is a variation of theft. When you kill a man, you steal a life. You steal his mother’s right to a son; you rob his future. When you tell a lie, you steal someone’s right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness.¹
“Third and last rule: don’t die. We can’t protect our loved ones if we’re dead. I’ll spit in your grave when you die without contributing to peace. Without even seeing and experiencing it. Remember, heaven is nothing but an illusion created by some hopeless fools. There’s no peace if you die. There’s no place when you have nothing to worry about. When you die, you leave hell. And hell only awaits.”