One Year Before Kian Blackwood's Trial
Kian was a quiet boy, with a simple life and modest dreams. A young soul full of hope, with a deep love for nature. He was fascinated by all forms of life—human, animal, even the tiny insects that most overlooked—and how they all coexisted in delicate balance.
"Kian! I've told you a thousand times, no books on the table!" his mother shouted, exasperated, as she dusted the furniture.
"Coming, Mom!" he called back from the other side of the house.
Despite her scolding tone, Kian couldn't help but smile. He was holding a small glass jar with great care, inside of which a shiny black beetle moved slowly.
"Alright... I'll leave these notes here. Seems like these beetles aren't easy to find around here," he thought, admiring the tiny insect.
Entomology—though he didn't yet know the word—was his greatest passion. Studying small creatures, discovering unusual species, and writing down every detail in his worn-out notebook was his way of escaping monotony and everyday problems.
But not everyone understood that passion.
"Look, it's that boy again."
"Thirteen years old and still playing with bugs… Weird."
"His mom should really do something about it."
The neighbors' whispers followed him as he walked down the cobbled streets of the village. No one dared confront him directly, but the disdainful stares were impossible to ignore.
Even so, Kian didn't pay them much attention.
"Why should I care what people think?" he told himself, adjusting his backpack. "I'm responsible, I help at home, and I do my homework. Just because I like insects doesn't mean something's wrong with me."
The autumn wind blew, rustling the dry leaves that covered the sidewalks. That day, the sky was a dull gray, and the bare trees seemed to whisper with every cold breeze. But to Kian, even the melancholy of autumn had its beauty.
He finally returned home and, after finishing his chores, carefully placed his books back on the shelf.
"Done!" he whispered to himself, satisfied.
"You're a good boy," his mother said, arms crossed, "but you need to be more careful with your stuff. And more organized!"
"I know, I know," he replied with a half-smile.
"Last time you let a wild raccoon loose, and it ended up inside the neighbor's house," she continued, trying to sound stern. "We had to compensate him for the scare."
There was a brief silence. Then Kian couldn't help but burst into laughter at the memory. His mother tried to stay serious, but her lips curled into a smile, and soon she was laughing along with him.
---
The next morning, the sun had barely risen when Kian stepped outside. The cold bit at his skin, but he was used to it. However, his face showed a trace of fatigue. Lately, school wasn't the same anymore. Rumors about changes in government policies spread like a plague, and tension seemed to grow each day.
As he walked down the street, he heard hurried footsteps behind him.
"You're always in such a rush, Kian!" said a familiar voice.
It was Asher, his best friend. A slim boy with dark hair and observant eyes. His expression showed a mix of worry and curiosity.
"Did you hear about the new school regulation?" Asher asked, lowering his voice as if afraid someone might hear.
"And you're always the worrier," Kian joked, patting his shoulder. "Don't stress. We'll adapt. We don't really have much choice."
Kian's words were meant to be reassuring, but deep down, he felt uncertain too.
Suddenly, as they turned a corner, they stumbled upon a desolate sight. A house—what was left of it—lay charred. Blackened walls and broken beams stood as a silent testimony to the tragedy.
They both stopped. The scent of ash still lingered in the air, and the image of destruction left a lump in their throats.
"The rumors were true," Asher whispered. "Mr. Quuibou died two days ago."
Kian swallowed hard.
"Seems like it. That's probably why they weren't letting anyone through here."
They continued walking in silence, but the mood had already shifted to unease.
---
When they arrived at school, chaos greeted them.
Shouts and pushing. Some students argued with teachers, while others simply stood, unsure of what to do. The main entrance was crowded, and a group of uniformed guards watched over the area with stern expressions.
"What's going on?" Kian asked, alarmed.
"I don't know, but I don't like it," Asher replied, eyeing the scene warily.
One thing was clear: the change everyone had talked about… had finally come.
And no one was ready for it.