Freedom

    Sitting on the windowsill, she watches the storm as it builds in the distance.  The dark clouds ride the wind that blows fiercely across her face.  The scent of rain and electricity fill her with anticipation.  She turns her eyes from the clouds to watch the trees dance in the wind.  Dipping and swaying, the branches follow the lead of their partner, gracefully giving to the demanding pressure of the wind without breaking.  Music from the ballroom floats up to accompany Nature’s dancers. 
    
    Turning away from the window, she surveys her reflection in the mirror.  The black leather pants embrace her body and a knife nestles in its sheath against her thigh. The tight white shirt stands out against the gold tinted length of her neck and frames the heavy diamond pendant caressing her chest.  Soft, black ankle boots wrap around her feet, completing the ensemble.  She touches her left cheek; the skin is soft, supple, and smooth.  Her fingers continue their exploration to her berry colored mouth that is curved in an angelic smile.  Her long black hair is parted to the side, veiling the right side of her face.  The visible eye is a vibrant green that is slightly tilted up at the corner.  In the background the wind lifts the curtains to ruffle her hair and lightning flashes illuminating her reflection.  For a moment she stands in relief, a being etched out of the world by the heavens to shine in its glory.  A door slamming down the hallway breaks the tableau.
    
    Laughing, she curtsies to the reflection and leaves the small room.  Tiptoeing down the grand stair, she escapes out the front door without being stopped.  She runs toward the wood at the edge of the front lawn, enjoying the sensation of freedom the action brings.  She reaches the concealing trees, barely missing another group of newly arriving guests.  Her eyes track their approach to the mansion.  Without thought she moves to join them.  Sunbeams momentarily illuminate the side of the house scarred by fire.  Anguish fills her breast and she turns from the sight.  The wind picks up, tearing at her hair and clothes and the sun is veiled again.  Her hair streams along the currents of wind and tangles in the vegetation around her.  Looking up she sees the dark clouds boiling, heavy with the need to release their load.
    
    Wandering through the trees, she finds a faint trail and follows it to a glade deep in the heart of the wood.  A pond sits under the trees, its serene surface disturbed by the growing storm.  She closes her eyes; a small frown appears marring her beautiful face.  The wind lulls as her eyes open to an unfocused stared.   She walks toward the pond her steps slow and plodding.  A low moan cuts across the silent glade breaking her trance.  Another deeper moan comes from a cabin hidden in the shadows of the trees.  She creeps up to the back window and peers in.  They lay entwined on the bed dominating the room.  The fire causes the sweat on their bodies to glisten as if polished with oil to a high sheen.  Their movements are frantic, mirroring the weather outside.  The wind resumes in a furious howl as they scream their completion.  The heavens open, a deafening crash drowning out their groans. 
    
    Rain envelops her in a warm wet embrace drenching her in seconds.  She opens her mouth toward the sky and soothes her parched throat with heaven’s nectar.  Her body trembles as she anticipates the completion she seeks.  Her skin glistens as lightning fills the sky.  She fingers the knife as the couple drowsily caresses each other.  Slinking away from the window she gently tugs the knife from its sheath.  Her thumb scrapes along the edge of the blade testing its edge.  She welcomes the pain that blossoms through her senses.  The smell of blood sharpens her focus on the task at hand.  She circles the cabin to reach the front.  Reaching out a hand she anoints the white porch post with her blood. 
    
    She gathers her hair into a ponytail and ties it with a leather thong.  She walks up to the door and turns the knob.  There is no resistance.  The door swings open allowing the heat from the room to rush past her.  A scream of fear tickles her ear with its sweet sound.
   
    “Olivia? What is the meaning of this?”  Nathan strides toward her leaving his companion cowering in the bed.  Olivia allows her eyes to roam over his perfect body.  She raises her arm and slashes with the knife in a strong fast stroke.  Nathan stops mid-stride gasping in agony as her pony tail falls to the floor at their feet.  With a tug of her other hand, the diamond joins her hair. 
    
    Her eyes flash as lightning illuminates the sky.  Berry stained lips settle into a half smile.  Her ragged hair curls around her face framing its beauty.  Nathan peers at her with stunned intensity.  The firelight plays over the golden skin of her face.  Scars pull at the corner of her right eye and tilt the right corner of her mouth up into a permanent half smile.  He reaches out and touches her cheek with a trembling finger.  The new skin is velvet soft and cool.  A shudder shakes his frame and her hand tightens on the knife.
    
    “Olivia, I…I am so…”
    
    “Stupid if you think you mean anything to me.  I am returning your gift.”  A soft laugh fills the cabin as she walks back out onto the porch.
    
    “Joining a convent?” 
    
    The knife wavers in the air and slowly slides back into its sheath.  The storm calms and a musical laugh fills the glade as a shudder of ecstasy courses through her body.  Gentle wind cleansed by the storm sweeps across the glade.  Sunlight caresses her face and creates rainbows in the light mist.  The world welcomes her with lush invitation.
    
    “No, joining life.”

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