Little Sasha felt like she's been walking for quite a long time now and her body is getting tired. She saw the same tree that she rested on before and thought to soak her feet on the cool water by the river. She stopped by the tree and bit her lip as she contemplated on what to do. Overcame by fatigue, she decided to cool herself by the river and walked towards the back of the tree.
The vast green fields welcomed her vision as she walked past it. She turned around and saw the gravel road but there was no river in sight.
'Where is it? What happened to the river? Did they move it?' her thoughts ran wildly.
'Growwll.'
Little Sasha felt her hunger first before she heard her rumbling stomach and, forgetting about the missing river, she frowned.
'I'm hungry again. At this point, I'll eat everything that I packed before I arrive in town,' she thought but still opened her bag to get more snacks.
Little Sasha decided that the pair of woman and black cat had taken her Baba, Nana and her siblings. She did not encounter them anymore after she got thrown out of their place. But no matter how long she waited and how hard she looked, they just seemed to disappear into thin air.
So she decided to ask help from the townspeople. After all, her Baba is an important person in town, there's no way they would not help her.
After having her fill, she wiped her smudged lips and stood up. Facing the only direction she knew, she stepped forward to walk again.
At Salvation Central School.
'Tang!'
'Tang!'
'Tang!'
The school bell rang and few minutes after, dark shadows from each room started to gather. From the horde, a student raised his hand and covere his head with a cap to protect himself from the sweltering heat.
As if taking it as a signal, some umbrellas were also opened and the young students rushed out of their rooms to escape from the sun and go back to their homes for lunch beofre coming back for the afternoon classes. Some students who did not have any umbrella or caps with them decided to run fast and left their classmates who are also on their way home.
Few meters away from the school grounds, a small, round creature is slowly approaching. This little creature walks in two feet and heaves as it walks in small steps towards the school. The creature carries a bag on it's back and holds its firmly with its little hands.
Feeling sticky and sweaty all over, the little creature wiped its face and we see the tired face of little Sasha show. Her eyes were red as if ready to cry anytime but she sniffed and put on her bravest face. She had been walking for what gfelt like an eternity now and hadmany times wante to go home.
'But I have to find Baba and the rest,' she thought. Sasha kept on walkinguntil she saw the swadow of the schol. She continued to walk towards the school.
As she entered the gate, a big arm suddenly waved itself on her face. Startled, she followed the arm and saw the face of the school guard as he looked at her with a stern face. Her eyes lit up.
"Mr. Prat!" she beamed, happy to see a familiar face. The guard raised his eyebrows, 'Does everyone know my name now?' he pondered.
"Are you lost, kid?" He asked kindly but continued to baricade the wicket.
Despite her tiredness and hunger, she tried to put on a smile on her face as she politely answered.
"I'm here to see the teachers, Mr. Prat." She said. The curious guard knotted his thick brows and continued to ask.
"What do you need to see the teachers for? You're too young to be a student here. Kid, are you with someone?"
"My father is kidnapped and I need their help." She replied.
Mr. Prat looked at the little child in front of him. She looked like she came from playing outside with her friends and did not want to go home. Her face is covered in sweat and dirt that his face frowned.
"What are you talking about? Kid, stop playing around. The weather is too hot. Go home. Your parents may be looking for you now." He tried to keep his kind tone despite his growing irritation.
Sasha also frowned. 'What do you mean? Don't you know who my parents are?' she thought.
"I told you, they've been kidnapped. Why won't you listen. I need to talk to the teachers, they will help me." She tried to push the wicket to enter but the guard is stronger and kept it closed. Losing his patience, he started to sound irritated.
"Hey, you can't just get in! What's your name kid?"
"I'm Sasha. I'm the principal's daughter! Open the gate!" She demanded and slammed on the wicket as hard as she can but it won't budge. Confusion showed on the guard's face as he snapped.
"You can't just make up this kind of excuse. I have never seen you nor do I know you. And I'll have you know, our principal is currently on a vacation with his family. Who are you?"
"What do you mean my family is on vacation? They've been missing from home! Don't you know me? I'm Sasha! Open the gate! Let me in!" She answered back, still trying to open the wicket.
The little girl and the guard's conversation is getting louder and some teachers who are about to have their lunch looked on from their rooms to see. Mr. Prat, the school guard, tried to keep his cool but is slowly losing his patience as he tried to argue with he little girl. 'This is so embarassing. Why won't she stop? O dear, have mercy. Where are her parents? I don't know how to deal with kids.' he complained.
"Mr. Prat, everything good?" One of the teachers could not help but ask. The banging on the wicket is getting louder and lunch is almost over. The students may take advantage of the commotion which cold disrupt the afternoon classes. Mr. Prat looked over and awkwardly answered.
"A little kid is lost and looking for her parents but she kept insisting it's the principal. I think she's just here to cause some racket." He explained. This got them curious and they came over to look. Looking at the grubby little girl, they frowned.