The Illusion of Freedom

Prologue

The shadows cast an eerie purple glow across the backyard of the small house on the outskirts of town as I came to a stop at the edge of the forest. What had called me here? I had been traveling for weeks, maybe more, something pulling me to this very place. For years now, I'd carried a strange, uneasy feeling that something bad was going to happen to me. The sensation had grown so strong that I could no longer ignore it, forcing me to follow the tug that gnawed at my mind. Now, here I was. But what was I supposed to learn?

Through the window, I saw a young girl—no more than six years old—sitting on the floor, staring intently at a lamp beside the sofa. As her gaze focused, the lightbulb flickered. She sat up straight, eyes wide with amazement. The flickering stopped. She squinted in concentration, and the bulb flickered again.

"Mom, Mom!" the girl cried, jumping to her feet. "Come here, I think I made the lightbulb flicker with my brain!"

A young woman appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. "I don't have time for your silliness. I'm cooking. Your father will be home soon. Go outside and play."

"But just let me show you—" the little girl began, but her mother grabbed her wrist, leading her to the back door.

The door clicked shut behind the girl, who turned to watch through the window. Her mother stood by the lamp, doubt creasing her brow. The girl stared at the lightbulb again, willing it to flicker, her lips pressed together in determination. And then— it shattered, sending a spray of glass across the room. The mother screamed and jumped back, clutching her chest.

The girl didn't stay to witness her mother's reaction. She sprinted across the yard toward a large oak tree near the edge of the forest—near me. Yet, strangely enough, she stopped abruptly. She stood still, turning her head as though sensing something out of place. Slowly, her eyes drifted along the line of trees until they met mine.

An electric charge jolted through me. I remained frozen in the shadows. There was no way she could see me—it wasn't possible. And yet, after a long second, the girl tilted her head curiously, then shrugged to herself and ran toward the tree, beginning to climb its trunk.

I listened as she spoke aloud to herself, unaware of the truth lurking just beyond the forest. Was this the reason I'd been drawn here? Was there something special about this girl? It had been a long time since I had encountered anyone truly remarkable. And yet, there was a haunting thought at the back of my mind—could she sense me?

"She's just so boring. 'Nora, stop believing the stories your dad tells you. Magic isn't real,'" the girl scoffed, mocking her mother's voice. "It is real, Mom. It is."

She had climbed about a quarter of the way up the tree, impressive for someone her size. There was ambition in her—a trait I had long admired in humans.

"Stop making up stories, Nora. Just learn how to cook and wear dresses and sit quietly and be a mom," she continued in a sing-song voice. "Dad knows. He told me I'm magical, and I feel it! I'll show her."

As Nora reached halfway up the tree, she edged her way onto a branch. She glanced down for a moment, hesitation flickering across her face as she questioned her ability. A small smirk tugged at my lips. Mortals were always so afraid to lose their fragile little lives. She shook her head, banishing the doubt, and shakily stood on the branch. Her eyes locked on the sky, and without a second thought, she leaped, flapping her arms like wings.

I watched with mild amusement as she fell, landing in a crumpled heap with a thud and a sharp crunch. Her wailing screams filled the air.

Her mother came rushing from the house, panic in her eyes as she knelt beside the girl. "What were you thinking?" she cried, inspecting Nora's arm, which hung at an unnatural angle. "I'm going to kill your father for filling your head with those stories. Magic? Flying? You're going to break more than just your arm if you keep this up."

The mother scooped her up, hurriedly carrying her inside. The door slammed shut behind them, leaving the backyard silent, save for the rustling of leaves in the breeze.

I remained still, watching. What had I been brought here for? What was I meant to learn? The girl clearly had potential, but was she the one I'd been searching for? I turned my back on the house, fading once more into the shadows.