THE LOST CHILD Leaning on the window sill, I stared out across the treetops. Growing bored, I wondered what it would be like to leave the tower. I had been in the tower for ages and was desperate to get out, yet content to stay. I knew the tower provided me with safety and I had plenty of food that I grew in the courtyard. But I was done. I was leaving and today was the day. Rising, I turned my back on the window and pondered what to take with me. Walking over to my cot, I grabbed my knapsack. Untying the straps, I began to take my very few amount of clothes, and put them in. Looking around, my only piece of jewelry caught my eye. I made my way towards it and picked it up. It was a small heart on a golden chain, decorated with small rubies around the edge. Small silver lines intertwined each other around the heart. I fastened it around my neck quickly. The necklace meant nothing and everything. I was told it belonged to my mother, so in that sense, it was all I had of her and meant everything. But I also nothing of my mother and was told that she left me, so I hated it too. I turned to the window again and saw a huge ship appearing on the horizon. With eyes growing wider with curiosity, I quickly packed a few more things and rushed out to the courtyard. Grabbing fruits and vegetables, I threw them into my knapsack. Filling it to the top, I closed it and made my way to my door. Gently brushing the ivy and vines away, I hesitantly made my way outside the tower. Stopping, I looked at my surroundings, it was densely forested, and lonely. I debated escaping back into my tower, but the image of the ship overpowered my fears and I pressed towards the ship's direction.
I tripped over another root and sprawled on the ground, my knapsack falling open. Sighing in frustration, I grabbed the red apple that fell open and slammed it back in my bag. Picking my self up, I looked down at the sharp stinging on my knee. Blood was slowly pooling and began to trickle down my leg. Standing taller, I continued on my way, ignoring the pain. When I began to question myself, I finally heard water crashing against the beach and my pace quickened. Stopping when I reached the tree line, I looked out across the sand. It looked so beautiful. With the single window in the tower, I couldn't see the details. Throughout the sand, little tuffs of green grass swayed in the breeze. The clear blue water reflected the afternoons sun and was blinding. Farther away down the beach, three horses grazed calmly on the spots of grass, swatting the insects with their tails. Birds were squawking at each other over a dead fish. I let my eyes take in the sight a little while longer before I looked for the ship. It was still far off in the distance, and I looked for a place to wait for it's approach.
Finding a rocky area, I huddled down behind a larger rock. Growing comfortable, I began to wonder what this boat would bring. People? Friends? Enemies? My mother…? I quickly diminished the last thought and watched the grazing horses. I could feel my eyelids tugging shut, but I wanted to stay awake and watch the ship dock. But alas, my eyes closed, and I fell to my dreams' consent.