Start to a Fantasy Story

“Bring the girl here.” Her voice was stern, chilling. “Now!”

My hands tied behind my back, they guide me to her. Someone’s hand grips my shoulder. I stare at the stone ground. I am miles away from my home, in a town seemingly imaginary. “How DARE you,” she hisses, shaking the earth. I feel the tears brimming my eyelids. “You are a criminal, Ophelia! You were my most trusted servant, and you betrayed me. You will not die in honor.” A cry escapes my throat. I try my best to stand tall, to stay dignified. “I hope you enjoyed yourself! You will spend the rest of your life incarcerated!”

My jaw drops. I look up at her, mouth agape. “No! Please!” I plead, but the floor gives out beneath me. They snatch my arms and drag me, my face rubbing the floor. “Please, your highness! Forgive me! My lord!” Then I lose consciousness, due to the increased pressure on my head.

I wake up hours later in utter darkness. I shiver. Chains bond my hands; they press into my now purple skin. Instinctively, I tilt back my head and scream for all it’s worth.

Just a Little Ranting

Prompt: Write about something that really bothers you, then rant about it.

What bothers me most? Love.

Don’t get me wrong. I believe love makes the world go around. It tests people. It defines people. Love is the glue that holds us together when we seem to have nothing left. Love bonds families, bonds friends, bonds two strangers. Actually, we would be nowhere without a thing called love- the most passionate emotion.

But sometimes, love doesn’t go our way. Every song seems to remind you of that person, filling your arms with goosebumps, keeping you awake at night. All your memories constantly play in your mind. That person- that same person who so selflessly brought you into their life- now wants you no longer. No matter how much you wish, how much you cry, you can’t bring them back. They have made up their mind. When you close your eyes, it is they you see. When you clear your mind, you still hear their whisper. When you wake up in the morning, they are the sunshine peeking through the windows.

So now you must move on and act like it never happened. You must go on with your life, filling your daily duties. You mustn’t complain or chase them. That won’t change a thing. No, you must skip the songs that remind of you of them, or turn off the radio altogether. Either is better than the nostalgia. You must avoid taking that route if it was your frequent encounter. When someone asks you about them, you must swallow your feelings and admit that it wasn’t meant to be. It wasn’t meant to be- you know that, right? Erase all your fairy-tale thoughts, erase them all right now. In the end they were only out to hurt you.

I am not trying to be a pessimist. I have seen the world, and I felt my heart rip at the seams. Strangling me, killing me. That is what true, unconditional love does.

I loved love, but it was unrequited.