Year 4623.
Seventh Mountain, South District of Tanyi City, Third Major Zone.
On the winding mountain path, more than twenty children from the Saint Annie Convent were dressed in gray linen robes, following a stern-faced nun named Eloise as they picked wild vegetables along the roadside.
Eloise was around fifty years old, her hair already streaked with white. The skin on her cheeks was aged and loose, sagging slightly so that even when her face was expressionless, it carried an air of intimidating severity.
The entire gathering line was stretched long. Eloise stood at the very front, while the children trailed behind in small, scattered groups. From time to time, one would bring a plant to her, asking whether it was edible.
At the end of the line, a red-haired girl followed behind a black-haired boy. Her pale blue eyes were like two crystals soaked in stream water. At that moment, she was watching the surrounding grass warily.
"Dakota, come here!"
the boy called to her, his face bright with excitement. "Look what I found!"
The girl came closer and squatted down, only to see a dark brown mushroom growing on the ground. Her expression changed instantly, and she instinctively stepped back.
"Don't be scared," Jamie said softly. "This isn't a chelating fungus — it's just an ordinary mushroom, the edible kind. Look…"
The girl approached again, still doubtful.
"Dakota, what are you doing?"
A cold voice came from above, snapping the eleven-year-old Marcia back to her senses.
She looked up to see Eloise, her face solemn, gazing down at her. The nun's gloved hands were clasped together over her chest, her eyes showing a trace of displeasure.
Several nearby children secretly opened their eyes and glanced in Marcia's direction.
"Everyone else, close your eyes," Eloise said in a low, firm voice.
All the kneeling children shuddered at once, quickly folding their hands together and resuming their prayerful posture.
"Everyone here is praying with full devotion, yet you alone keep your eyes open." Eloise's voice echoed across the mountain slope. "Miss Marcia, answer me — what are you doing?"
"I was looking at that dead squirrel… Miss Eloise," Marcia replied softly.
"Is that so," Eloise's tone softened slightly, "but when we pray, we must keep our eyes closed, Marcia."
"…I don't quite understand."
"What is it you don't understand?"
"Are we really going to bury it in the ground like this?"
"Yes," Eloise answered in a devout tone. "Our flesh returns to dust, but our souls come from the heavens. If we pray sincerely for the dead, then when that prayer reaches the Holy Spirit's realm, the mercy He bestows will also cleanse your souls…"
"A clear soul is less likely to be parasitized by the chelating fungus, Miss Marcia. Do you understand?"
Marcia frowned and said nothing.
Eloise frowned again. "What are you thinking about now?"
"I was thinking… why don't we 'devoutly'… eat it right away?"
In an instant, everyone's breathing stopped. The boy Jamie, who had been kneeling beside Marcia, couldn't help opening his eyes, looking at his friend in alarm.
Eloise's face turned ashen. "W-what… what did you say?"
"It just died, and it's only afternoon now, so it's still fresh. If we skin it and salt it right away—"
"Dakota Marcia," Eloise's voice trembled with disbelief, sharp enough to make one's blood run cold. "What on earth are you saying…"
Sh:
"We don't have to eat it ourselves," Marcia quickly added. "If we prepare it like this and hang it outside, those in need can take it. The meat might not be much for an adult, but for someone starving, it could save a life. To just bury it in the ground seems like such a waste—"
Before she could finish, Eloise seized her like an eagle snatching up a chick, dragging her to the dead squirrel.
"Look at it," the nun commanded, her voice breaking with sorrow. "Look at this poor little creature! I can hardly believe my ears, Miss Marcia—have you forgotten what I've always taught you?"
"…We must not take life," Marcia replied, looking up at her. "But we didn't kill it, and we wouldn't be eating it ourselves—"
Smack!
A slap landed hard on Marcia's head.
"Jamie! Take Dakota Marcia to the confinement room on the mountaintop right now," Eloise's voice shook. "Her mind has been corrupted by evil spirits! She must be locked away for several days to come to her senses!"
…
Late that night, in the Saint Annie Convent's confinement room, Marcia curled up inside an iron cage.
Her red hair hung over her face, and her sleep was shallow.
"Dakota, Dakota…" a voice called softly, waking her. Marcia opened her eyes and saw Jamie's face outside the cage.
"Eloise is asleep. I took some food from the kitchen for you. Come out and eat."
Marcia's eyes lit up instantly.
Jamie moved aside the heavy lock on the iron cage. It looked as though it were wrapped layer upon layer, sealing the cage tightly — but in truth, it was merely a trick. The lock hung loosely on the bars, not restraining the cage at all.
(End of Chapter)