Her voice sounded out clearly above the many threats and insults thrown at her. She screamed, wanting to get away from everything and everyone. She ran and ran, away from the pain, away from the memories. She stopped running to catch her breath, the burning sensation in her lungs too much for her to handle. She looked down and closed her eyes for just a moment; she opened them to find herself alone in a small circle of light, surrounded by nothing but darkness. At that moment she heard snarls and growls coming from the darkness. Voices, of the people who always thought she was good for nothing, coming back in what seemed to be painful screaming, as if they were being torn to shreds.
She collapsed onto the ground, screaming for the voices to go away, when a magical thing happened. A shimmering image appeared in front of the girl, showing a prince, of a far away kingdom, slumped in his soon-to-be thrown. She shook her head, not knowing what the picture meant.
"You can be the only one to save him," a deep, reassuring voice spoke, causing the girl to feel safe and powerful.
The girl nodded her head and looked in front of her to find a path lit brightly, leading her out of the forest, which she had lost herself in. She was told to look down and she did so to find a medium sized wooden staff laying beside her feet. She picked it up, looking at the detail put into this once glorious staff. There were faded carvings of flowers and vines in the wood frame of the staff; the wood knotted around a, once radiant, golden heart. She took a step forward, into the lit path, pressing the staff close to her body. A growl behind her caused her to look; a shadow had somehow broke free and was now launching itself at her. She swung the staff, landing a direct blow to the creature. She watched as the creature fell to the ground and evaporated into nothing.
She felt powerful stepping from the forest. She spoke, speaking one word. "Laney." Her name; it sounded stronger than it had ever before.