Chapter 21
Michelle flew through the sky freely. Her curly hair flew behind her and her wings were spread far out. Slade's lair was quite a long way away, and for once, she was glad. This gave her a chance to have as much time to herself as she needed. Michelle knew that somehow her communication with Slade was cut off. She wasn't sure how, maybe it was her intuition kicking in...maybe it was hope.
Michelle looked at the stars that she passed by and she managed a small smile. It was so beautiful. According to her parents the stars came out to show people that things would be better. A long time ago they told her a story.
"Once upon a time, there was a bolt of light. It was small, but it was bright and beautiful. The light grew each day, and as long as the people kept their hopes up and kept their spirits strong it would continue to grow. After many years the light had grown into something fantastic, it was the size of a planet and it's look was breath-taking. Everyone wanted a piece of it to show their children, and to put on display, that's how much it was loved. But one day the people began to grow greedy, and so many people wanted the light that it caused problems. Everyone began to fight over it, and they would do anything necessary to get their hands on it, even if it meant doing bad things. The power of the people's greed was so strong, that pretty soon darkness began surround the light, and within weeks the light had dissapeared completely, leaving nothing left but the darkness. After the darkness took over the adults continued to fight over the light, they acted so childish and selfish, some thought that people had stolen it and were keeping it hidden. Little did they know the light was somewhere they'd never expect. Do you know where that was sweetie?" said the voice of the young woman softly
"Big Bird!" piped up a three year old Michelle happily. Her mother laughed
"Close enough but not quite. The light was hiding, and it was hidden in the hearts of children" said her mother in an excited voice, she looked over at Michelle and she giggled. "The children were so happy before that they knew they didn't need the light. They knew the light wouldn't make them happier, because all the happiness they held was inside their hearts. The children knew the light was missing, and instead of acting like the adults you know what they did?" asked her mother quietly
"I don't know" said Michelle scooting into her mother's lap and resting her head against her mother's arm and shutting her eyes a little bit. "They stayed children, they did what they always did, they played, they treated eachother kindly, they tried to help out as much as they could, and it wasn't to get the light for themselves, no. They did it to make everyone happy again, because they liked the smiles on their faces. One day when the children were gathering food something amazing happened. In the dark of the night, all the children gathered around one spot and went into a circle. They stood there and held hands... the adults felt their behavior quite strange but despite their efforts to get the children to stop they would not. After a few minutes a glimmer of light appeared above each child and floated to the middle of the circle. There wasn't much at first, but after awhile there was lots of light, and it all floated to the middle and yah know what? Pretty soon the lights all went to the middle and they combined and it made a huge star, it was almost as big as the last one. Everyone was so happy, to see their precious light back that they didn't care who had hold of it, as long as it was there showing them happiness and giving them hope, they would be happy no matter what.
And even if it were to hide for awhile, as long as they kept a small glimmer of light in their hearts, some happiness and some hope- and believed the light waas inside them, then they could make it through anything. And any time the people felt as if they had lost their light, they would look up at the sky at one of the stars, and know that it was a symbol of hope" finished her mother "So if you ever feel you are losing you're light, just look up at the sky, and if you believe in the power of the star and your heart, you'll remember the light's prescence, and will find a small glimmer of light in your heart, even when your heart is at it's darkest stage"
Although the little girl didn't look like she knew what she was talking about she really knew exactly what her mother had been talking about because to her that story had been like a fairy tale, and young children, especially little girls- can relate to & understand fairy tales. Ever since the night her mother told her the story Michelle believed in not only the power of her heart, but the power of the stars, and she knew that as long as there was a star shining, whether it be outside in front of her or in her heart, as long as there were a star around she would always be able to keep sight of her light