Chains & Butterflies

Chapter 2: Rocks & A Doppelganger Dress

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

- Mark Twain

As much as I wanted to obey Father's order I just couldn't. I did not want this, and staying here wasn't an option. This was my last chance. A gust of warm summer air broke me, and I ran. There was no stopping me now. I didn't look back. All I saw  was the gate. It was the only thing restraining me from my dreams. "Evelyn! Evelyn come back!" My mother shouted frantically, only just noticing I was no longer by her side.

It was a simple question, one that reiterated within my mind. It's now or never, freedom? Or Chains? Hell I vote for freedom. "Where is she!?" I heard a man shout from afar, Father.

"Over there, she running for the eastern gates." a servant answered back, "She'll get away if we don't hurry."

"She's a bit clumsy, she won't get too far."

 All I could hear now was my own heavy breathing, and the clicks of my heels; not the rude comment thrown at me by my own mother. I picked up my pace, the wet green grass tickled my feet. My dress hugged at me for dear life. The tight bun loosen as I ran, allowing strands of hair to tickle my face freely. It gave me back the oxygen my erratic heart needed, as it pulled me onward toward the gates. A part of me knew, I was no longer going to be the same. My parents intentions and expectations of their daughter's life, was distorted in the quest for my freedom. This life of full of restraints could no longer be a substitute for the taste of the real world. How does he even possibly think, I can marry someone so easily who I could care less about, especially a bastard who caused my dream to crumble before me.Why couldn't they have picked Cecilia, or even Elizabeth? They're older than I am. Why must I suffer, while they plead to father to be married off? Why in God's sakes did I agree to this?

Loud footstep pounded behind me, as I dashed across the lawn. I am almost there.

"Evelyn, Stop right now. Do you dare to disobey me?!" My father shouted angrily. "You will get married for the sake of our family. You made a promise to me, or have you forgotten. What am I to tell your future husband? That you decided to go for a walk in the woods? This is childish what you are doing!"

"I know I made a promise but that doesn't mean I'll give up as easily. You of all people should know that. I am not going to get married! And I will not be attending this ridiculous party!"

This is my last chance to leave, if not now, it would become hard after the engagement. Harder after I realized what I was doing to my father, my family. Perhaps I did have a chance to make it out on this side of the gates after all. So close, I'm so close. I didn't care what would happen to me once I left. Finding a decent job, would cover for my living arrangements, the cost of food and clothing. There were other who manged, so who was to say I could not do the same. The thought crossed my mind that perhaps I was being childish, but I would do anything to get farther away from this cage. All I have to do now was to reach Isabel and run off, never to be seen again.

But, Mother Nature was not so keen to agree with my plans. Something stupid got in my way. A small protruding rock sat on the morning wet grass. It clutched to the soil for dear life as the tip of my heel decided to pay it a visit.

Oh Shit Balls! I flew forward, the rock soared next to me. Father had caught up and stood there panting. Mother along with some maids, who were preparing the decorations beforehand, weren't far behind him. "Seriously, you pick the wrong day to decide to become notice." I cried at the rock close to my hand.