Hidden Secrets

12

5 hours since Hope died. 

I'm running to the rock, I'm running so fast I trip over every little bump in the path. I'm desperate to get away from everything. My cloak flys behind me letting my wings free just the slightest bit. 

I spot the rock shining in all of its beautiful glory up ahead and I run faster and faster until the clearing is right in front of me. I trip over a massive tree root and fall to the ground scraping my knee. 

Pushing up off the ground I catch my breath. Everything seems to move in a blur. Nothing is right anymore. I let out a massive yell not caring who finds me. 

"Hey." It's Jess but I don't smile, I don't get up, I don't run over to her. In all honesty, I wanted to be alone. 

"Lovely night isn't it?" I reply bitterly. 

She comes over to help me up and I hesitantly let her. It's almost like what happened with us has vanished, nothing matters anymore. 

I stand before her broken. 

"I have something for you" She finally says. 

She holds my back and guides me to the rock and we sit with our legs dangling over the side. I keep my head down not letting her see me like this. 

She holds my hand so gently and turns it over. She takes something out of her pocket and places it in my open palm. 

It's the feather. 

It's my mother's feather. 

"How'd you get this?" I don't dare break my eyes from this precious gift. 

"I stole it the day... Um... You know." I nod, the day my mother died. 

"Does that mean you organized the event that happened today?" She must've been close to Hope somehow. 

"I'm the leader of 'The Deadly'" She nods as if confirming her words, "Hope was such a good rebel." I notice her wipe a tear from her eye. 

"She's very brave" I agree. 

"I know you wanted to be alone tonight, I just wanted to give you that and I knew you'd be here." 

I finally look at her. "Don't go."

She smiles, "I think there's something you need to do."

"I'd rather be depressed with you than alone." I give her a sad smile. 

Then almost on cue, I hear a voice. Jess is unfazed meaning only I heard it. 

"Scarlet, it's time." There's something comforting in it, like a voice I haven't heard in a long time. 

Jess notices my uneasiness and steps off the rock to stand in front of me, "you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah," I say as I slowly stand up on the rock. 

"Scarlet, my child, take your cloak off." I almost burst out crying, it's my mother. I obey despite disobeying my father once again showing someone my wings, I don't want to disappoint the one person who means everything to me. 

My wings spread wide as I stretch them in the sudden moonlight. My feet lift off the rock ever so slightly and I'm bathed in the moonlight, in a comfortable silence. Once I land Jess is in awe, but there are more people surrounding me. 

They almost look like angles the way they are bathed in the moonlight. Then I notice all of the people that have died at my father's hand. Terrified the world turns red and I fall to the ground feeling a strong pain of guilt. I feel a hand on my shoulder, I look up and it's Jess. 

"What's going on Scarlet?" She sounds worried, not scared of me but scared for me. 

"Let her see what you see my child, hold her hand."

Jess has her hand stretched out for me to help me up. I hold it tightly then finally look back at the ghosts keeping her hand locked on mine. 

"Oh my god." She breathes. 

"Don't let go of my hand, don't get off the rock," I warn her, I understand what's happening now. 

Out of nowhere, two people walk towards us holding hands. The slightly smaller one is Hope, still looking as badass as ever. The other person is so beautiful and comforting. 

My mother.

She is as beautiful as ever, her wings are gone reminding me of what happened but that doesn't matter right now.

Tears fall down my face in fast streams.

"Everything is stable now my child."

I let go of Jess's hand and rush towards her. I throw my arms around her crying into her shoulder.

Hope hugs me from behind. "Hey, I want in on the love." 

I laugh and turn around to give her a big squeeze. 

"Told you I wouldn't leave you," she smiles.

"Oh come on, you didn't know you would end up here." I smile back. 

"Hey, I'm glad I did." She whispers now. "Your mother is awesome!"

I laugh "I know." 

"Oh Jess, my dear there's someone who wants to see you." Behind my mother, two people come out. I assume they're her parents because she runs to them and cries. 

The night is spent catching up, making jokes and pretending everything in the world is right. I never want to leave, but all good things must come to an end. I take in the night as best as I can, ready to save the kingdom. It's the best time I have ever had in a very long time. Everyone I care about in one spot. It's truly amazing.