|Fearless

Clarity|

          

C L A R I T Y

 1930’s Depression-Era,

 Virginia,   

“Some say Love, it is a razor, that leaves your soul to bleed.

Some say Love, it is a hunger, an endless aching need,”

  

In the midst of all the murders, thefts and sins, the forests were the ones who reminded her of peace.

                She loved strolling in the field near the colorful wild flowerbed. Father would’ve scolded her not to go near that place, but she wouldn’t take precautions. The right time to do it was when mother would order her to pick some spices at the market, which for that matter, she could shortcut her way back to her­ house, walking the trails centered between enormous meadows.

                Everything was warm and cozy. She could hear the sweet melodies of birds near the surrounding, chirping with such beauty. It was, without a doubt, another normal day, and here she was, picking wild flowers as she went by, with the plastic bag filled with seasonings, hanging on her left arm.

                She gathered the blossoms and vines, and then she braided them into a crown with her talented fingers. She smiled at it and carefully placed them atop her head.

                One might think of her odd, for a maiden to be skipping around the pasture with a flower crown. Yet, with her perspective, time had eaten her childhood, sending her to the cruel reality; therefore, she would take every possible time alone, feeling as if she was a child with big beautiful dreams.

                But the question was, why would she act as if she had those dreams? And what dreams exactly? Well, figuratively speaking, it was as if an atomic bomb of poverty had dropped down this town. No one would bother anymore with what their dreams were. It was a waste of time. The only thing left for them to think, was the goal to survive.

                However, survival and living are two different words, and the people chose survival over it.

                Suddenly, her gaze landed at something unusual. There was a fire deep within the woods. It was lightening the forest, like a glisten attached to an emerald. A gray smoke snaked up the treetops, acting as if it was a huge ghost towering the meadow. Once they were birds singing, but now they were flapping their wings in a hurry and cawing as if they were yelling for dear life to come.

                Her mind told her not to worry about that and just continue on where she was headed, but her conscience insisted her to scavenge the area. She was utterly sliced between saving someone’s life or her life. If she would set off there, she might end up dead because of the fire or rescue someone – If she was lucky enough to do that.

                However, she realized she did not want to be a part of this vindictive world she was currently residing in anymore. Not many officials would notice that tragic fire for they were busy, re-establishing their businesses. She also couldn’t rely on the sheriffs to help someone in there, since all she knew about them was they were too lazy to handle their jobs. Hence it explained the unbalanced society she had.

                Her only option was her only self. She should go there and check for survivors. She shouldn’t leave it be.  She didn’t want to be that uncompromising monster like everybody else any longer. Despite with all the horrid dirt they had stained on her, she wanted her true self – if it was still there – to come out from deep within her.