Warden's Daughter Pt.3

-The first part is a dream, just making sure that's clear.

-The poems are not mine. They came from a poem generator and I changed some of the wording though it is still mostly theirs

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

“Sing, Lia.” She hums.

“Sing the Song and I’ll set you free. Don’t you want to see your mother again?”

I surprise both of us by looking up at her, “Mama’s dead. I saw your snakes take her out.” I spit out the words like venom, wishing it would sting her like it does to me.

“No,” she tells me, whispering. “No she’s not. She’s free, and on the winning side.”

I can’t watch her any longer. I look down, staring at the puddles that formed during the rain.

“No. I-I won’t,” I can hear my voice getting shaky though I try not to.

The Stone Keeper. The one who holds the power to heal, but only uses it for harm.

“They left you Lia. They could have stayed, but they left you.”

“They-they needed to live. I-it was, It was my choice.”

“Lia, they’re not coming back. Sing the Song and I’ll set you free. Then maybe, you can see the rest of your family again.”

I close my eyes, trying not to cry. I don’t know how, but I find my voice.

“No. All you give are lies,” I look up at her, into her sunken eyes, “My choice. My way. I remember, and that makes me stronger than those you’ve changed. They didn’t want to. They gave up. I’m still fighting. I’m still winning.”

She sighs and starts to walk away, but I have a question.

“What about Papa? And Uncle Esben?”

“They chose the winning side, my dear. And you can join them.”

“With what?” I know I shouldn’t ask, but I can’t help it.

She gives a smile at the edge of her lips, “A bird like your father? A tree like your mother? Which would you rather?”

I shake my head, “No,” but I can’t even hear myself.

I feel tears hot on my face. I start the song, barely aware of the sound.

Suddenly aware of what I’m doing, I cover my mouth and squeeze my eyes shut. My hands are a sharp cold on my face like a bird's talons. I sink to the floor of the cage, no longer caring about the tears streaming down my face.

I hear the lock open and I glance up. The Stone Keeper stands at the entrance, hand out for me to accept.

“Come now, Maddie, I’ll show you the sky.”

I stand on shaky legs as she leads me through tunnel after tunnel. Up and down. Left and right. I can see sunlight. I let go of her hand.

“Th-Thank y-you,” I tell her. Thinking nothing of what she caused.

She disappears into the dark hole and I follow the side of the mountain until it falls away, curving into the forest deeper

___________________________________________

Eventually I’m back to the cave. I hear movement inside and look through a bush. They look familiar, but impossible to place through the missing chunks of memories.

“Papa!” I shout, running out to hug him.

He screeches and throws his arms around like he’s trying to stop a swarm of bugs.

I hiss and pull my arm against me, feeling blood through the cloth. His eyes clear for a moment, looking at me instead of through memories.

_____________________________________________

“Maddie?” I wake up with a gasp.

“Yeah?” I ask the Kalmar head beside me, putting on another smile.

“You started yelling, are you okay?” He looks genuinely concerned.

“I’m fine, just a dream.” I pull out my journal to end the conversation.

Their words may sting, their action hurt

But the heart still yearns for them

To mend the wounds, to heal the scars

A love that won’t condemn

It’s a battle of the soul 

To forgive and to forget

To let go of the pain they caused

And move on without regret

Loving someone who hurt you

Is a test of strength and grace

But in the end, love will prevail

And bring peace to our troubled place

So we hold onto the hope

That love will conquer all

And heal the broken pieces

Of a heart that took the fall.

I turn the page gently and start another.

Whispers through the heart

Echoing through the night

A symphony of love’s art

Igniting a radian light

Tender moments shared

Cherished memories to hold

A bond that can never be broken

A story to be told.

You know, ending on a lighter note.