The slender, golden arms of the sun had reached over the horizon, extending themselves in all directions, reaching the leaves of the tree that needed their warmth. Ester lay in her bed, the strands of her hair intertwined with one another. After the light enveloped her, she stirred, her eyelids lifting themselves from the grasp of sleep. Her passionate red eyes examined the morning sky. It was clear today, with not a cloud in sight. The branches were getting more and more buds on them every day; a sign that spring was coming soon. Spring was Ester's favorite season, next to fall, when the temperature was just right. Ester got herself ready for the day and bathed, changed into a new set of clothes, and brushed her hair and teeth. Today was Wednesday, and Will would be arriving shortly.
Will arrived, greeting her. He smiled. "I can see you're already halfway done with that book I got you last time.", Will said, climbing up the stump and onto the wide branch that grew to the side of the cage. Ester looked up from a book she was reading and smiled. "I've enjoyed it very much. So, is there anything interesting going on in the world?" she asked softly, venturing a little, for she knew that Will did not like it when she asked him about the world outside her sight. His smile turned to a suspicious look on his face. "Nothing that you should be concerned about, sweetie." He replied in a sweet, dismissive tone. Ester would usually refrain from pushing further, but this time she was determined to get answers.
"Come on, Will, I want to know of your experiences, and how you get on in the world. I apologize for my curiosity, but I can't help but wonder what life is like-"
"SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP!" Will shouted, throwing his arms up in the air and making Ester jump in shock. "You really want to know what hell it is to get on in this world!? Well I'll show you what its like." He said, his left eye twitching too much for it to be unnoticeable. He reached inside her cage and grasped his cold, slender hard around her neck. Gasping for air, Ester struggled, trying to pry his fingers off of her and desperately get out of his death grip. He squeezed so hard that he put a purple bruise on her skin. Ester let out a cry in pain, tears lining her eyes. Will grabbed her hair before she could move away and pulled her down to the cold floor. Will dug his nail into her skin, drawing bright red blood from it. In a rasp, foreboding tone, he whispered in her ear "If it weren't for this cage protecting you, evil, perverted men would rape a beauty like you day and night." Ester sat up suddenly, freeing herself from his grasp. Will was left with a handful of her red hair in his grip. She was panting loudly. She couldn't believe that Will would act like that. He had almost always been gentle and kind to her, yet now he embodied a rage that she never knew he possessed. She had always seen him as a funny, kindhearted man. Now it was as though he was a different person altogether.
Without a word, his crooked smile vanished, and Will retreated back to his home on the ground. He walked away as though nothing had happened.
Ester was left alone to her thoughts, still trembling slightly.
YOU ARE READING
Caged Body, Free Mind
FantasíaEster has great wings and longs for freedom, but is confined within a cage that keeps her as an eternal prisoner for the crime of merely existing. She's lived in the cage hung on one of the branches of a big tree since she was 5. Can she overcome he...
