Freedom: Chapter 1

The night air was a bit chilly, but Rakia didn’t mind. She wasn’t much paying attention either. She had other things on her mind.

“Rakia.”

She turned her head towards the voice that had spoken her name. Her brother, Malus, had approached her.

“You shouldn’t sit so close to the entrance. Someone might see you.”

Malus’s voice was monotone and hard to read. Rakia huffed a sigh at him.

“I’ll be fine. It’s not me they’d be looking for, anyway.” Rakia turned back to the entrance to their shared cliffside cave home. They’d been living here for a few months now, but it wasn’t really living. More like surviving. Not to mention the fact that Malus didn’t let her go anywhere on her own, nevermind somewhere to socialize with others. She was growing tired of it.

“Rakia. It’s not safe out there.”

Malus’s voice was a bit more stern this time. Rakia didn’t care. If he got angry at her for wanting to live a normal life, so be it.

“Just go away, Malus. You can’t control me forever.”

She heard Malus growl.

“So be it.”

Rakia heard Malus approaching further, but she turned her head just in time to see him grab the scruff of her neck in his beak and try to drag her back into the cave. She kicked and thrashed, but to no avail. Malus was much stronger than her, and bigger too. She had no chance.

“Let me go!” She shrieked at him. He finally dropped her near her designated sleeping cove, but Rakia refused to be dragged around like a child’s toy. She stood up and hissed at her brother. Malus lashed his tail and narrowed his pupils.

“Don’t test me, Rakia. You know you won’t win.” Malus threatened. Rakia didn’t listen. She lashed out at him, tearing a few feathers from his chest. Malus, in one swift movement, knocked Rakia to the ground with a quick swipe of his powerful tail. Rakia rolled out of Malus’s reach, making a break for the exit.

“Hey! Get your ass back here you-“

Rakia didn’t get the chance to hear his final words. She leapt out and took off, flying as fast as she could away from that damned cave. From her brother. From her cage.

After a few moments, Rakia could’ve sworn she heard something behind her. Looking back, she saw Malus gaining on her quickly. She began to panic. She knew he would catch her, and she knew he’d drag her back into that wretched cave again. Put her back in chains. She had to think fast.

As Malus came within inches of her, she dove out of the way and down into the forest below. Malus quickly followed, but was unable to break through the treetop canopy due to his large size. Rakia could sense him above her, waiting until they reached the edge of the forest to pounce.

Suddenly, it hit her; there was a town not far from here. She knew Malus wouldn’t go in and risk being caught. That was her only chance at safety.

She changed course underneath the concealed canopy, leaving Malus to continue his straightforward path. Silently, she made her way to the edge of the forest and out, now able to see the light of the town in the distance. She continued in stealthy silence, finally arriving at the edge of the town. She looked back to make sure he hadn’t followed her. Nothing.

Smirking to herself, she entered the town’s outskirts, making her way to the center. This may finally be her chance to be free.

Malus

601 words-12

Personal-3

Total= 15 AP

Rakia

601 words-12

Personal-3

Total= 15 AP