Hidden Secrets, Hidden Past, Hidden Lives

Chapter One (Leila)

The characters in this story are all from the author's imagination.

Author's Note: This is my first story on Wattpad.  I hope the readers will enjoy this story.

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The rain ran down the window like tiny pieces of crystals.  The young maiden looked out the window, her slender figure shining in the moonlight.  Tears falling on her face, she looked back at the last eight years of her life.  She could clearly remember the warm, sunny afternoon her life changed forever.

She was reading a book under the shade of the tree that stood in the front of the castle.  Absorbed in her book, she did not notice the man that stood over her, glaring wickedly.  She looked up, closed her book, stood up, and curtsied.  She recognized him.  He was one of the many, many kings whom had come from all over to arrange a marriage between her and their sons.  This particular man had come more than anyone else.

"Princess, you and your father are going on a picnic with my son and me."

She peered around.  "Where is my father?  I need to know if I look appropriate to go on a picnic."

"You look perfect Princess and your father is already in the carriage.  I came to find you."

Leila thought it was odd that this man and not her father had come to get her, but she had no reason not to trust this kind man.  She gave him her arm and walked toward the carriage.  He opened the door for her, but when she looked inside, she did not see her father.  "My father is not here.  I'll go and search for him."  She turned around, but as she took a step toward the castle, the man seized her arm, his grasp firm and painful.

"There is no need to find him Princess."  With that, he threw her into the carriage, got in himself, and told the driver to move.  Terrified and confused, she tried to scream for help, but the man placed a hand over her mouth while someone else put a blindfold over her eyes.  The man was still gripping her arm, not loosening his hold.  Silently, tears came to her eyes, but she forced herself not to let the others know.  She was scared; her older brothers had all gone to war and her mother had died shortly after giving birth to her.  Leila said a prayer to herself as the carriage drove her towards her unknown destination.  She was held captive for eight years, and continued to be held in the tower she found herself.

She closed the book that she had been reading, set it down, and walked around the tower.  Besides a bed and a washbasin, the only objects that were visible were a bookcase, a mirror, and a sofa.  She became suddenly angry and scared at the same time.  

Why didn't her father do anything to save her?  Did he know where she was?  Were her brothers dead?  Was the war still going on? 

She sat on the bed and cried.  It was hopeless.  No one was coming for her.  She was going to be here forever.  Leila laid down and tried to count her blessings.  

She was not hurt.  They fed her well and treated her with respect and dignity.  

Slowly her eyelids drooped and she fell fast asleep, praying for a miracle.