She found herself in a green meadow. It was the middle of summer, and the sun sparkled like an amber gem. Squinting in the sudden brightness, she nodded, confirming to herself that she was really doing this. Even just feeling the warmth of the sun on her body sent a thrill through her so strong that a giggle exploded from between her lips. Clenched tightly in her left hand was a gift box, and, inside, a sparkling ribbon. Her right hand was rubbing a greasy, rusted chain in her pocket.
On the floor, a broken daisy chain lay discarded. Picking it up, she inhaled its heavenly scent. This was what freedom smelt like. It smelt like heaven. A boy was sitting against a tree to her right. Turning her back to him,she rendered her fumbling fingers hidden as she heavy-handedly tried to encase the chain in the box. When a hand appeared on her shoulder, she jumped.
“Hello, Lucy.”
“How did you do it, Corey?”
“I’ve learnt to walk silently.” He smiled while he talked, his face lighting up when Lucy smiled back. Looking up into his eyes, she seemed to communitcate without speech. She checked for people, and then embraced him. After a few seconds, he wriggled out.
“You have to go back, Lucy”
“I know.” She sighed, dejected, hating that she must stay in that metal hell, and knowing that, one day, she would get out for good.
She came to in a cell, with only a note for company, all visions of his kind face replaced with concrete and stone. Reaching over to the note, she began to read.
“D0M*T L0053 MY 7HING2”
The old man’s handwriting was a foul as his putrid breath.
“Don’t lose it, Corey...” she breathed, tearing the note, shakily.
In a beautiful snowy meadow, far above the cell, a boy sat with an emptry gift box. As he lifted the chain to see it glint in the sunlight, you could see a tally on his hand.
*|||| |||| (9)
Below it were five words, scrawled in biro...
“Is freedom better than love?”
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