Bitter Hearts: A Dark Cinderella Retelling

Twenty Two

The Beginning

      The wind was cool on her face as she ran through the forest letting her feet guide her to a path unknown to her. Her torn dress flowed in the wind blending with the forest leaves and her hair that had come loose of its binding was bouncing behind her, the wind making it look wild.

She would have looked happy and carefree save for the tears that streamed down her cheeks. Her feet buckled underneath her, the strain of running for longer than it was used to getting to it or perhaps it was a dramatic effect to express her emotions. And emotions she had for she wept; hard and ugly, till she had no more tears to let out.

Exhausted she got up realizing that her feet had brought her to the river yet again. It seemed like it called out to her and so she let it, the water was cool anyway. She had gotten waist deep in the water but yet she kept walking making no attempt to swim. She was neck deep now and still she had no plans to move her arms. Raising her head to look at the night sky she thought of her dad and how much she missed him and how nice it would be to finally meet her mom, how was she like?

"Accept my soul ancestors," she said to the wind.

"I doubt they will," a croaky voice called out right as she was about to let herself go.

Shock filled every inch of Mia's body that she struggled against the water to see who that voice belonged to. Her honey brown eyes met the cold eyes of an old crocked woman.

"You know what our people say about taking a life, even if it's yours," she continued.

"W-who are you?" Mia stuttered.

"You can call me Africa," she replied a crocked smile across her wrinkled face.

"I'm your godmother" she continued when Mia just stared blankly at her.

"Heavens child I'm your grandmother's best friend," she explained but Mia still had that blank look across her features.

"Oh God, Jendaya's best friend, Jendaya is your mother Amari, mother," she said exasperatedly.

"To think Jendaya bragged about her being smart," she said more to herself.

"So you're my godmother," Mia asked unsure.

"Yes child," she dragged out getting annoyed by Mia's slowness.

"Now get out of that water we need to get you ready for the Prince's ball,"

"W-what?"

"Heavens child! We haven't got much time, follow me" she said.

"Why should I?" Mia asked unsurely.

"Well you can either go ahead and kill yourself or you could follow me and get a night of your dream, who knows your entire life might change for the better."

"Your choice," she concluded staring Mia in the eye.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~

Mia stared at the box in front of her, a million thoughts going through her head.

"Ohh for heaven's sake open it already," Africa said impatiently.

Mia did. It was beautiful and it was her mother's. She ran her hands through the soft yellow two piece material with a black veil. It was the traditional bridal costume and Mia smiled, she was happy to share this moment with her even though she was dead. With Africa's help she was ready for the night of her life.

"One more thing child," Africa said clipping on all the items of jewelry especially the gold and black heart necklace that was the family heirloom Amari had worn on her wedding day.

"There, you look beautiful," Africa said admiring her.

"Thank you," Mia said smiling. She was grateful for this precious moment Africa had given her.

"Remember now dear child you must get back before the sky is at it's darkest. The forest isn't safe for such a young beautiful girl as you,"

"But...,"

"No buts you have to return home before Duvessa returns and realizes you aren't home, I don't trust that witch." Africa stated. Mia could only nod her head.

"Have fun, not too much fun though," Africa said cackling making Mia blush.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~

Mia's bare feet led her to the palace. It was a beautiful piece of her peoples architecture with its pyramidal high palace walls with wooden beams sticking out and cylindrical patterned conjoined huts and thatched roofs.

There was laughter and music and food was in abundance. Mia was fascinated by a group of dancers wearing masks and hadn't noticed the person standing beside her.

"They're fascinating, aren't they?" a thick masculine voice asked.

"Yes very much," Mia responded not really paying attention or glancing at the person speaking to her.

"That dance is called the antelope dance and they are the Flankuru society. Their dance concerns agriculture and fertility and since I'm to pick a wife, my dad thought to have them perform in hopes of picking a fertile wife," he said flashing her a kind smile.

"You're the Prince!" She exclaimed, scolding herself in her head for ignoring him earlier.

"Yes I am," he replied chuckling.

"Would you like to dance?" He asked staring at her.

"Of course" she replied giggling.

They moved their feet to the beat of the drum, bodies swaying in the wind. They had gone through several songs but yet neither of them seemed to notice as they danced on laughing and giggling, whispering about the people present.

Mia hadn't had this much fun in a while. It felt good but alas all good things have to come to an end. The darkest hour of the night was fast approaching and Africa's words echoed in her ears.

"I have to go," she said abruptly.

"W-what?"

"I have to, it isn't safe after now"

"I'll escort you"

"No, no need for that," she said hurrying on her way.

"Wait" he said but Mia didn't listen. She was too preoccupied with Africa's words echoing in her ears to hear him.

"Wait!" He screamed this time trying to grab unto her unknowingly grabbing her necklace causing half of the heart to break.

"I can't" she called out, still hurrying away.

"I don't even know your name," he said dejectedly, holding unto the piece of her necklace that had broken off.

"Guards!"

"Guards! After her" he commanded but she was already far too gone for them to catch up.

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