"Mother, wake up. Breakfast is served." The young lady drew the curtains to let the sunshine in. She picked up the dirty garments off the floor, while putting everything back into its place. She sighed, knowing that her mother only grunted in response–still curled up like a baby. She decided to let her be and do the house chores.
This house will always look like a mess whenever her mother came home. She never really understands what was her mother's doing out there; her mother never wanted her to learn about her business, hence her anger whenever the young lady asked. This house, this palace, this castle, whatever this place is called never felt like home to her. She knew deep down that she doesn't belong here.
For almost sixteen years she had lived, never even once she had a friend. Her mother kept her in this palace, saying that she wants to keep her safe. The palace garden was the farthest place she will ever go. Her minds often wondered as she watches the birds freely roam around, chirping happily as they did. Her mother treated her more like a maid rather than a daughter. Though her mother always gives her gifts and everything, she never gave her the love she needs. She doesn't even know who her father was. It's not important, mother's voice ringing in her ears. She just wanted to be free. She wanted to know what it was like beyond these castle walls. She could only keep wondering when her life will begin.
"There you are, little peanut! I've been searching for you everywhere!" Mother's voice startled her. She snorted. She has been doing this–washing all the laundry–every day, yet Mother kept searching like she cared.
"Good morning, Mother." She said in an emotionless tone. "Just in time, I'm done with the laundry. I'll heat the porridge after this."
"Don't worry, dear. I got it." She head back inside, God knows what Mother will do. The young lady inhaled deeply. No matter how much she felt unloved, Mother was all she had. She loves her; whatever love mean.
The smell of something burning distracted her thoughts. She ran back to the palace, knowing this must be her mother's doing.
"Great! Now you burn our breakfast." She took the pot off the fireplace, cleaning up the mess Mother has made.
"I'm just trying to help!" Her mother shot.
"Help? Is this what you call help?" She groaned. "You did nothing but ruin everything, including my life."
"I've taken care of you your whole life! How dare you disrespect me like that!"
"Last time I knew, I'm the one who's taking care of you, Mother." She dropped the pot and tried to walk away but her feet felt heavy. Mother used her magic to pin her down. She made her sit on the table, while a green smoke appeared in Mother's hand. She gasped. It was her sketchbook. She really loves to design dresses and gowns, and all her designs resided in it. She swore she kept it hidden, but it seems like Mother knows all. She tried her best to reach for the book but the stronger she tried, the tighter the magical grip went.
"Mother, please don't. I'll do anything you said if you keep your hands away from that book." She cried helplessly. "Please, Mother. I beg you."
"So now you're feeling sorry?" Mother smirked.
"I am. I'm so sorry, Mother. I apologize for my bad manners. Please,"
"Alright. Here, you can have it."
She felt the magic grip loosening. She reached for the book, but her heartless mother always had something cruel in mind. Instead of giving the sketchbook back, Mother threw the book to the fireplace and ignited the flame. She cried in pain. All of her hard work, her imagination, her creation was gone within seconds. That book was the closest thing to freedom for her in this prison.
"How could you?" The young lady cried in pain, collecting the ashes from the fireplace.
Mother knelt beside her. The grip on her chin forced her to meet Mother's cold eyes. "You see, Evie, I love you so much and I just wanted to teach you a lesson; you can't always get what you want."
She hugged Evie, though she can't really feel any affection radiates from Mother. Evie was in a complete utter shock. She can't even escaped from this hug nor complained about it. "Life is cruel, my dear. Not only cruel, but it is unfair. You have to get used to it. Do you remember what I always said?"
She didn't say a word. It all felt surreal. Her mind still couldn't deal with what just happened and made her she stay silent.
"EVIE!" Mother's scream startled her. Evie was shaking nervously, scared of what could happened next. "Don't you hear me? Are you ignoring me?"
She shook her head, avoiding Mother's deathly glare. "No, Mother. And yes, I remember."
"Good. What did I always tell you?"
"Mother always knows best." She mumbled.
Mother cupped her cheeks with one hand. "Stop mumbling and look at me."
With teary eyes and a shaky breath, Evie repeated. "Mother always knows best."
Nodding in contentment, Mother stood up like nothing had happened. "Now, my dear peanut; dry your tears and clean up this mess. I'd like to see everything back in place for brunch."
Evie clutched her hand tight, casting her own nails into her palm. She knew she hated her mother so much. She was no mother to her. How could a mother intentionally hurt her daughter? Evie asked herself. There's only one thing that really crossed her mind right now; she needs to run away. She has to.
Mother left after brunch and hasn't come back ever since. The less she saw her, the better. There was nothing but pain that fill her heart right now. The smell of the burning papers, her mother's cold touch, her anger, were still clear in her mind. She wanted to be free more than anything but the plan had to be right so it wouldn't end up in smoke. But where would she go? Could she survive? Her life was built within these walls. She had nowhere to go, but she knew she had to go. Evie sat on her bedroom window, gazing upon the blinking starlight.
"I know this sound ridiculous but I don't know who else to turn to." She stared on the brightest night sky, pouring her heart out. "This place never feels like home. My heart belongs somewhere, but I don't even know where it belongs. This is strange. Everything is, actually.
"Is it weird if your own mother scares you? Is it weird if you never feel save around her? Is she even my mom?" She laughed sarcastically.
"I'm turning 16 tomorrow. I have never wished for anything in my whole life, except to be free. I wanted to see the world. I wanted to know who I really am, to get out of this hell. I hope you're a sign I've been looking for all this time."
She closed her eyes then hopped off the window. The star she wished on shines brighter, as if it was going to explode. As she was getting ready for the night, a sweet voice was calling out for her.
"I hear every single wish of yours, Evie."
"Who are you? How do you even know my name? Show yourself!" She grew anxious, rushing to the corner of her room. Thenit was clear; there was a small flowing light approaching her, revealing a beautiful fairy in a blue dress.
"Don't be afraid, my dear." She softly said, flying on Evie's eye level.
"Are you my fairy godmother?"
"You silly girl," She giggled. "I'm the Blue Fairy. You can call me Blue. You didn't wish upon a star, my dear. It was me."
"So, you're here to grant my wish? You can set me free?" Her voice filled with excitement.
"Unfortunately no, dear. But I'm here to help. I have something for you," Something appeared in Evie's hand.
She frowned. "A mirror? How could this thing help me?"
"It's a magic mirror, Evie. It will show you everything your heart desires."
This was too strange for her. How can this magic help her when magic has done nothing but terrible things?
"Don't worry. Not every magic is dark, my dear. This one contains light magic." Blue implied as if she could read her mind.
"Are you a real fairy? How can I know that you're not my mother in disguise? How can I trust you?" Sudden hesitancy filled her mind.
"You know what lies within your heart and I know you already know the answer, dear."
Blue is right. Evie just knew that she is real; Blue is real. Blue meant no harm and she is going to be her fairy godmother, though Blue said she wasn't. She was just being too paranoid for no reason at all.
"Remember to use it only for good, darling."
"But, Blue how to use–"
Just like that, Blue was gone. She left her hanging; Evie had no idea how to use it nor did she know if it could cause any harm. Magic was odd and risky to her, but if it's going to help her to get out from this hell hole, then so be it.
She studied the mirror and saw her reflection in it. In something that feels like eternity, Evie could smile sincerely. She held it tight, close to her chest. She knew this was her sign, a good sign. Whatever life has in store for her next, she knew that this time freedom will finally be hers.