Distance

Freedom Is But A Distant Dream

Amity was sitting on top of her bed, she could feel the tears dripping down her face. Staining the top of her shirt. Her vision was blurry as she cried. Hours of frustration, anxiety, and more shattering her charade. Her carefully made mask was falling off. The image of a perfect child was being destroyed with every tear. The queen was losing her crown.

The voices of the manor staff echoed in the halls.

"How pathetic." A maid whispered. 

"First Grom and now this." Another whispered back.

"Isn't the annual witch competition coming up?"

"Does it matter? She's broken."

Amity cried harder, letting the whispers get into her head.  

Then the voices stopped and the door slammed open. With tight lips and narrow eyes Odalia stepped into the room. 

"You should be ashamed." There was a hint of emotion in Odalia voice, a rarity. "How could you? You lost your place as top student to a half witch, failed to defeat some worthless human in a duel, nearly got the twins killed on the knee, needed to be rescued by some worthless delinquents at school, was useless in the battle against Grom AND broke your leg in a Grudgy match. That doesn't even include your academic failures."

Amity said nothing, more tears falling down her porcelain face. Her emotions gone, blown away in the wind. Her inner voice was crying out. Her mind was screaming, but her voice was silent. Her face was blank, her breathing steady but her heart was beating in her chest. Thumping against her ribcage like a drum. 

Alador said nothing. He stood tall behind his wife. A silent body guard.
"If you must love a girl." Her father began, choosing his words carefully. "Then you may have Boscha, at least she is powerful. A useful tool if nothing else."

Amity sat shocked, her eyes wide.

"Either way." Her mother said "we must fix this, affliction for the Human." The last word was filled with disgust.

"Don't worry" Alador said as he took steps closer to Amity.

"You will be fixed" Odalia said as she inched closer.

"We promise." The two were upon Amity now.

There was no escaping the cage this time.