Ten...nine...eight...five...four...three..two..I count down watching the clock to make my big escape, well not really escape but just to explore the outside of Mystic Meadows. Ever since I was six I always wondered what was out there and something seems to pull me towards it..I got to find out what and I have to sneak past my mother , she would kill me if she ever found out. Going outside of Mystic Meadows is my moms top DO NOT . I quickly put on my dress and my shoes with my satchel over my body and knife on the other side of my hip "Claus" I whisper to my awesome friend who is a griffalump, they have long noses and big ears like elephants but round bodies like a short fat dog, I know it might not sound pleasant but he's pretty cute. "Come on Claus we got exploring to do" rushing out the gates I sneak around my home . This forest has been my whole life and I never left but I'm curious about the outside world and I just got to see.
"Alright this is our chance Claus" he grunts happily as we rush towards the magical fence that I finally figured out after years. "And WHERE do you think you're going princess? I ought to tell your mother!! You know the rules" Meet Aries ...she is the forests healer whenever anyone is sick she's your gal, I've heard she has the power to give you immortality but ofc she doesn't and uses it for herself , she's damn near two thousand years old but yet still looks like she's in her early twenties. " Aries!! Heyyyy girl what's up!! I wasn't doing anything I promise...me and Claus was just going for a stroll!" Aries looked at me like I was stupid knowing I could make a better lie than that. " Oh Winnie, when will you learn that we just want you safe? And I believe you do know with your mother being mistress of Mystic meadows she wouldn't let anyone rest until you'd be found , now get along you have school soon." I let out a dramatic sigh and walk back to my home In defeat.
What could be so dangerous about the outside ? It's always "Winnie don't do that" or "Winnie that's not to be discussed" or when I keep talking and my mom is like "WINNIE MEADOWS THATS ENOUGH" yes that is I , your supposed to be lovable , respectful, and amazing princess of Mystic Meadows ..I am Winnie Meadows and this is my life. Don't get me wrong it's amazing and I have everything I need but what's wrong with wanting to explore the outside...
"Winnie dear come on your bath is getting Cold because you wanted to frolic in the outside world instead of behaving and just getting ready for school like a normal person" I look at Aries and tune her out while I get ready for school not taking anything she says into consideration until I saw my mom ...The Queen of Mystic Meadows stand before me with the most disappointing look I've seen in a while . " Oh hey mom how are you?" I say kind of nervously having s feeling I'm in deep trouble. "Not well, hearing my daughter who's 18 of age is disobeying my one rule that I give her . Is this palace not enough for you ? Are you seriously stupid enough to go outside these gates not knowing what's on the other side or who could be on the other side ready to destroy your life" mom looks tense and not nearly done with her lecture...Thanks to Aries she had to run her bitch ass mouth and be so loud to the point where my mom heard her.
" Mom why are you so afraid of what's out there? And if it is something that has to deal with you then why punish me for it!! You treat me like I'm 4 and you know that , stop pushing your fears on me and let me live my life please!!!" She slams her hand on my dresser "You don't think I want you to explore the world?!? Because I do, I'd love for you to explore what's out there but it's too dangerous and I will never trust you to go out there because you are so irresponsible and not ready for the shit that comes with running free in those damn woods Winnie! Believe it or not I do know what's it like . And you are no where close ready and probably never will be."
I walk out the castle not saying a word with tears in my eyes heading to school, I notice one of the kids from knight and armor school staring me down as I sit by my tree but I ignore them. 5 minutes later the bell ring and I get ready for class , the day goes by slow and I look out the window majority of the day until lunch where I sit with my one and only friend Athena, she is a nature fairy and a good one at that. Always healing dead trees and plants , and bringing them sunlight to help them grow. "Well look who it is" Athena always had a cheerful voice that could melt your heart like butter on bread. "Hey Athena" she looks at me like something is off " Honey what's wrong? Your eyes all red and puffy , have you been crying" Maybe apart of that cheerful voice is her mom like personality . "No just allergies you know? Thank God I'm a water fairy and not a nature fairy" I put on the best smile I could in the conditions I'm in right now but of course Willow don't believe me. " You don't have to lie to me Winnie , I've known you ever since we were babies when my mom would work for your mom" She holds my hand comforting me . " I just wanted to see the outside world like normal and my mom and I had this big fight and her basically saying I won't be shit" I ball my fist up trying not to cry while telling Athena my story about this morning " I believe you can do it Winnie , just train for it and go for it. Is there anything in particular you are hoping to find?" I shake my head no and yes at the same time . " I don't know to be honest, like I said hundreds of times I feel like something's pulling em towards it but at the same time it's just difficult." She grabs both of my hands and smiled "Do what your heart wants but be prepared for what your heart may find" The bell rings and the day ends and like usual I go to my tree that's by the gates at the end of the forest and I think of what Athena says for a while until I hear shuffling around me...
