Worlds within pages

Through that dark room

The girl had been locked in a dark, windowless room for so long that her memories of light, wind, and happiness had faded to whispers. In her silence, she learned to live in the shadows, with only the flicker of her thoughts to keep her company. She had never known what it was to be free, only how to mask her loneliness with an unbroken silence.

Then, one day, the door cracked open.

A boy, filled with youthful curiosity, had found the old, forgotten door, intrigued by what lay beyond. As light poured into the darkened room, it felt foreign to the girl, almost too sharp to be real. She shrank back, her heart pounding, unsure whether to feel hope or fear. When the boy stepped into the dim room, she met him with a wide, unconvincing smile, a mask she had perfected to hide her isolation.

The boy was transfixed by her smile—so bright it pierced the darkness. Drawn in, he stepped closer, captivated by something he couldn't quite name. For him, the room's dimness seemed to fall away, leaving only the girl, who glowed in his eyes. He sat beside her, and together they laughed and shared stories, losing track of the hours. She spoke with a tremor in her voice, savoring each moment as if it were her first taste of joy.

In his company, she felt a new warmth, an unspoken promise that maybe, just maybe, someone would stay with her. Together they talked about everything and nothing, sharing whispered dreams, their voices the only sound in the otherwise silent room. He even joked about their future, a life beyond the room where they would run wild together, free and happy.

But eventually, the outside world called to him. He began to hear faint sounds through the walls—laughter, birdsong, and the distant echo of life. He tried to ignore them at first, but the lure of the outside grew stronger. He yearned to explore, to live in a world of color and light. He glanced longingly at the door, even as he stayed by her side.

The girl noticed the faraway look in his eyes. She saw how his smile no longer lit up the room but strained against a hidden desire. She understood. And it broke her. She wanted to ask him to stay, to pull him close and never let him go. But she knew that his heart wasn't truly with her anymore—it was already halfway out the door.

So, in an act that cost her every ounce of her strength, she forced herself to push him away. She became distant, cold, pretending she no longer wanted his presence, even though it was the last thing she had. When he tried to argue, she held firm, pushing harder, until finally, he stumbled back toward the open door.

The light from outside poured over him, and as he looked back one last time, she thought she saw a flicker of regret in his eyes. But in the next moment, he turned, caught up in the world that awaited him. Without another word, he walked out, leaving the door open just a crack.

The girl watched him disappear, her heart splintering. She had hoped he might turn back, might take her hand and pull her into the world of light with him. But as she stood alone, the reality settled in—he had left her behind, just as the darkness began to close in again.

Now, alone once more, she touched the crack in the door, where light still seeped through. She didn't know if she had the strength to open it herself, but she had a choice to make: stay in the shadows she knew or venture out, however terrifying the unknown world might be.

As she placed her hand on the door, she hesitated, heart racing. She realized that maybe, just maybe, freedom wasn't about waiting for someone to save her. It was about finding the courage to step into the light on her own.

And as she took her first step forward, the darkness began to release its hold.