Battle of Fear and Trust

Peter's Homecoming

A warm afternoon glow paints the quaint shopping strip, lengthening the shadows as I meander along the footpath. I pass a display window of a jewellery store, the light catching the precious metals making the sparkle. I am to be drawn towards it. It reminds me of the store I went to with Cindy a couple of weeks ago.

I go inside and gasp as I approach the loveliest jewelled bracelets and pearl necklaces. I wasn't wrong about them having the best jewellery. I smile as I admire the beauty around me. Then, in the center of the shop, I see a case. I walk over to see eight diamond rings inside. They're awfully beautiful and each one has a gold band and a diamond that shines as bright as the sun.

"May I help you, Miss?" I turn to see a man who I assume is the shopkeeper.

"I was just looking. These are lovely rings," I tell him while pointing at them.

"Ah, yes, a man bought them the other day. He'll be by to pick them up shortly," The shopkeeper politely informs me before going to the back room. I can't stop looking at them, they're so beautiful. But one is the most beautiful and it shines brighter than the others and the gold is more radiant as well. I just have to pick it up. It's probably the most beautiful ring I've ever seen, it's clear why the man bought it.

The door of the shop swings open and the cold wind comes over me. I clutch the ring until the wind stops. I look at the ring in my hand, but its gold is now tarnished, and the diamond looks like a dull, grey stone. It grows colder and colder until my hand starts burning. I scream as I let the ring fall to the floor.

"Alright, the owner is here to pick up the rings," The shopkeeper grabs the case that now holds only seven.

"Wait!" He turns to me, "You forgot one." I point to the ring on the floor.

"That one is no good, it will have to go in the furnace. Now, I must give these to the owner, he has a train to catch." He turns and goes towards the door. All I can do is stare at the once radiant diamond ring, that used to shine like the sun. Now lies cold and rusted on the ground.

My eyes open to the sight of my bedroom and I roll over to stare at my ceiling. The image of the rusted ring still floods my mind. I feel a shiver run down my spine at the thought of something so beautiful could become so ugly. I almost wonder if...No, it was just a nightmare, nothing like that will ever happen to me, I tell myself before getting out of bed.

I look down to see that I haven't changed out of my dress from last night. I must have gone straight to bed after Jason took me home. I'm even wearing the necklace he gave me.

"You better hope it's not ruined. You know what it could cost us," Jadis says

I know. I take off the necklace and examine the pearls. Thankful the pearls were still as white as they were when Jason gave them to me. I should be able to buy a few nice outfits after I sell this. I put the pearls on my dresser with the other jewellery I plan to sell. Of course, I wait a few weeks before selling it, so no one gets suspicious.

It is wonderful to have all these jewels. I look over all the other pieces of jewelry laying on my dresser. Some are pieces I'm planning on selling later today and others are ones I've decided to keep for myself. It made me feel like I really have the fortune of a Queen again. My heart aches and I look away from the jewels. Why do I still hurt like this? Why does it still feel like something is missing?

"The only thing missing is that fortune of a Queen and the way to get that fortune is to keep your place in this rich society"

Of Course, although that answer doesn't stop my heart from aching. I'm almost as cold as the ring in that shop. I quickly shake my head and move to my wardrobe to find something to wear. Why am I thinking about that silly dream again? I have more important things to do today, like sell more jewels and go shopping for a new dress for my date tomorrow night.