☕️ Paper and Joy 🕯️

Chapter 2: Roses and Fog

Swish, swish, swish

The sound of the curtains bellowing in the morning breeze awoke me. I opened my eyes to the morning light, brighter than usual. My body felt a little strange as I slowly got up. My body felt wide awake. Too alive.

Is it noon?

The birds were dancing happily outside in the shade of the trees. Something was different.

I got off of my bed and walked around the house looking for something to ease my question. I opened all of the shutters frantically, all of the doors. I looked in every nook and cranny but his presence was not there. The house was silent, though it was always silent, this time more than usual.

No more father.

I sat still for a moment, in the center of the house, taking in the idea. The wind blew softly through the window and into the house. He's gone. He left me to die. He won't bother me any longer. I can live naturally, wildly. In peace.

I ran around the house laughing at my excitement.
All alone, forever, no one to judge me.
And as I giggled, my body filled with unknown happiness.

I ran outside and laid on the porch, staring at the sunny sky. My nightgown was flying behind me like the cape of a princess. I was overflowing with a craze of energy, ripping through my veins.

Where did it come from?

A couple butterflies danced in the distance, fluttering around each other, loving each other. And then fluttering away into the sunny morning.

This must be the best day of my life, all alone. I smiled at the thought, wondering what I should do first. Where should I go? What should I do?

I thought about the endless possibilities. Then, I thought about the forest.

Is it going to be cut down, or not? Father isn't here to supervise the lumbering so what will happen?

I thought for a moment, and then agreed. Father was irrational, he wouldn't want to come back.
I got up and ran towards the forest feeling the wind blow through my hair and the soft grass beneath my feet. The bad dream of yesterday had bloomed into the beauty of today, leaving behind the shell of my nightmares. Now, I feel as if I have sprouted. I danced around in circles on the forest floor, enjoying my new body and self esteem. Before, I felt as if my soul was out of my body. But now, my soul feels whole, adventurous.

Where was I when until this happened?

I landed on my back swiftly on the forest floor and felt the grass cushion me softly. The sun was still beaming in my face. This place I'm in, it feels like the opposite of what it was before...

Interesting.

I stared at the sky, gazing as canaries chase each other through the air. Before, the animals barely came out, almost as if they were scared of my father. I smiled at the scene, unreal. A fuzzy feeling of warmth covered me, holding me tight, picking me up and taking me places. And once again, I walked around the forest but unlike before, I was happy, looking at things with the wisdom of curiosity, drifting around like a fated soul.

The air felt cool and crisp. I slow down from running around and catch my breath, breathing in the sweet scent of nature and sun.

This must be a dream! I laughed at my thoughts and sighed of satisfaction.

Then, in the corner of my eye, I saw a piercing light. The most unusual thing about this day.

Huh?