The Passion Forest; Chapter 1 - Beneath Seas and Above Clouds

Elora never knew the stories were true. And even if it was, she never saw it coming. Not all of it, at least.

It was Elora’s birthday, celebrated on the beach. Fairy lights hung on a tent, each bolt aligned with colors of the rainbow. The tent was medium sized, perfect for three people to camp, its color a dark shade of green, reminding Elora of the forest she once journeyed with her parents. The sky was getting dark, the sunset illuminating the ocean, traveling back and forth to brush the sand.

Sitting with her legs through the tiny wooden table, Elora carefully typed words into her computer, still smiling from the book-shaped cake she just had. Excitement bursted out of her, but she waited until she typed the last word. Then, her story was finished—a new, unique, fantastic story ready to be read and enjoyed. She would have to wait until tomorrow to share the news, since now was time for bed—bedtime had always been a delight for Elora, since her dad would always tell her stories. Today was no exception.

“What’s the story today, dad?” Elora shut her computer and placed the table beside her, then turned at her dad and beamed. He would have to tell a good story today, or else she might be up all night thinking about her new story.

Elora’s dad, Clif, cleared his throat, a habit before starting a new story. “Today’s a special day, your make-up birthday, of course, but also…”

Clif paused. He looked at Elora, half-expecting her to guess what was coming. “The day I first spoke?” she guessed after a few seconds.

“Nope,” Clif chuckled. “Remember that story I told you? The Passion Forest, where students every four years get picked to bring value to the world with their passion.” Elora shook her head, it was long ago when her dad told her this tale, but she remembered bits of it.

She shrugged. “Is today the day for student picking?” She always thought that she was the best at guessing stories, as well as making them.

“Clever, and yes, today is the day. And because of this special day, it’s a perfect time to tell that tale again.” Clif remarked as Elora nestled into her sleeping bed. “Once upon a time, a forest was born far away. No one knows how, but we do know that there was only one seed. As time passed, that seed became a seedling, a sapling, a young tree, and at last, a mature tree. As time flew by, the tree grew tall and sturdy. Year after year, the tree spent its days watching birds fly, the clouds move, but the tree wanted company, real company. When he woke the next day, like magic, the tree saw seedlings scattered across the one empty land before him, growing each day with health and nourishment.” Elora didn’t think this part of the story was true, or if it was true at all.

“Years went by, and at last the forest was complete. People discovered this magical, magnificent forest, and started to visit it. One day, a young girl, probably around the same age as you, discovered the tree. Unlike others, the girl saw the magic in the tree. She talked and talked with the tree—about how she wanted to become a gardener someday, about how everyone laughs at her for talking to plants, for wanting to become a gardener. But the tree knows answers nobody else does, for he had seen many things throughout many centuries. The tree finds a way to tell the girl that she is special and to not give up her dream, to follow her heart and work hard for her passion.” Elora chuckled, for the tree reminded her of her dad, who was always trying to squeeze in a life lesson from time to time.

“As time flew by, she continued to visit her tree. Until one day, the forest is gone as quickly as it came, but she has already become a gardener, and has brought value to the world by designing people’s gardens to the best of her ability. As years passed, she decided to try a different kind of gardening. Planting seeds and shaping plants like the tree once did, for her fellow students to follow their heart, their dreams, and their passion like she did, because she knew there must be girls and boys like her. But where, and how? Like a miracle, the next day she awoke to a forest, bushy and green. No doubt, it was the forest that once guided her, the forest she once visited often. With new hope, the gardener finds her tree and asks its permission to pick out students every four years, to bring them here, where they will learn of their passions; how to make value, how to focus on their passion, and work with others to create a better future for the world.”

Elora recalled with a wide grin, picking in as the story unfolds. “Of course the tree agrees. And the new headmistress starts looking for students all over the world, ones she calls seedlings between the age of twelve to sixteen with different but unique passion. She, as headmistress, and other teachers she hired will shape them into people that will bring value to our world.”

“That’s right,” Clif nodded proudly. “Kids still get picked out every four years, and when they return, they’re skilled and wise. Ready to bring value to the world—our world.”

Elora’s eyes widened, then she yawned, closing her eyes, satisfied, before she uttered Goodnight.

***

Elora dreamt of falling through the ocean, a strange white light pulling her down. She was grabbing tightly onto her computer and books, only to have them turn into bright sparks of light and join the light wrapped around her. Just a second ago, she was standing before the ocean—a strong gust of wind blew in Elora’s direction, then formed into a throng of light. Then it hovered Elora’s body above the sea, hurtling Elora into the ocean. At first she gasped for breath, only to choke on salty seawater. The light hugged her tight, and when she woke up, she wasn’t in the tent with her parents anymore.

Her eyes flew open, at once aware of where she was, her heart started to race. For a minute, all she heard was her brisk heartbeat and the sound of the ocean waving all around her. The sea was filled with different kinds of fishes, stripes, dotted, balloon shapes, and ones small as Elora’s fingernail. Rocks sat with vibrant plants home to red algae and seagrass. She was frozen, her breath fastening, watching the light take her down the water; deeper, deeper, until she was one hectometer underneath the sea, and all she could see was the light itself swathed encircling her. With shaking hands, Elora pinched her arm. It hurt. I’m not dreaming, thought Elora, what about my parents? Where are they? How am I here? Why am I here? A wave of panic swept over her, her thoughts mesmerizing her brain until she saw a tiny pinch of light the size of a grain, slowly moving towards her, sinking further down with her. She looked down futilely, for there was no light to illuminate the blackness. When she lifted her head, Elora gawked at the hundreds of light following hers. Lower and lower they went, yet strangely, Elora felt relaxed. Her eyelids felt heavy, the hundreds of lights became blurry, until all she could see was a blurry line of light gleaming. Then she lost consciousness completely.

***

Elora was awoken by the sound of screaming. Slowly, she opened her eyes and rubbed it with the back of her hand. For a moment she thought she was with her parents again, safe and asleep in their tent… Before her brain caught up, and in an instant she remembered everything. Her dream, how she was in the ocean with hundreds of white lights moving down. She looked down to see sand, and lights turned from white to different colors. There were swarms of yellow light, blue, dark blue, baby blue, green, dark green, pink ones like hers, and more than she could ever count. As she looked around, she realized that they weren't only lights, but humans like her, most looking the same age as her. Abruptly, her light fastened its pace, and before she knew it, Elora was plummeting into the sand at full speed. She could hear others shouting behind and before her. She had no time to yell as her baby pink light threw her straight down onto sand, she closed her eyes tight, holding her breath. Slowly, she felt the coldness of sand against her skin. She couldn’t move. The sand turned warmer, softer, fluffier and more like… Clouds. Elora’s heart skipped a beat as she opened her eyes once again. This time, she was above the clouds, soaring upwards. Once again, she felt so comfortable, so tranquil, but this time she forced her eyes open, curious to see where her light takes her. As she and the others floated upwards, she spotted a dim light. Up and up they went, and she realized she had been carrying a computer and book. She doesn't remember going out of the tent, nor taking anything with her. But here she was now, far away from her parents, from her home. Finally it dawned her—where is the light taking them? Will she ever see her parents again? She felt her heart thundering once again—she was beneath the sea, and now she’s above the clouds. How is any of this possible? She attempted to soothe her nerves, but failed doing so. She tried to sleep again, but only found more questions produced in her head, hence focused her attention on the other swarms of light. She peeked at the individuals, and saw a girl looking her age, with strawberry blonde hair past her shoulders, her eyes closed, in deep sleep. As she leered, she noticed every one of them was asleep… Except her. What on earth is happening? Why are they being taken away? She recalled her make-up birthday, then gasped in realization—the tale her dad told her before sleep, before she was taken away.

No way. This can’t be real!

But it is, isn’t it. This isn’t a dream, it’s reality. The tale of the Passion Forest. And only after four years can she see her family again. Then can all of the students, seedlings, here see their family again. Or maybe it’s not that at all. Maybe they are being taken to somewhere else. But what other explanation can there be?

Elora and her peers were already near the light. Not a light at all, Elora noticed. A cloud. Lots of clouds. Glowing clouds. Impossible, Elora’s brows furrowed, but given the situation, even a dancing slug seems possible right now. Floating towards the clouds, inches apart, Elora opened her eyes wide. In the blink of an eye, her body was already in the clouds, mist and steam watered her wide-opened eyes. Finally, Elora let her eyelids fall, but opened her eyes as soon as she felt she was passed the clouds. Yet she was no longer floating. She was motionless, static… On the ground; with trees surrounding her, birds chirping happily, and the air buzzing with energy, sparking curiosity and creativity. It seems like they’ve arrived at the Passion Forest.