Mother? Why didn't you abandon me like Father?"
My gaze was locked on the dinner table, my eyes busily inspecting the lines of the dark-brown wood. Anything to distract them from looking into my mom's eyes as she revealed her reasoning for staying behind.
I didn't understand why she had. No one else hesitated to make it perfectly clear that my existence was a disgrace to my family. I'm surprised my mother was willing to walk with her head up high when she had to bear the shame of having a daughter who couldn't shift or, to be frank—do anything.
A plate of pork steaks was placed in front of me, vegetables and sliced baked potatoes off to the side; my eyes grew wide as I inhaled deeply. Delicious.
I had enough courage to lift my head; my mom slid into the seat across from me at our two-person dining table. It was made out of simple wood, with enough space to serve us. That was all we needed now that it was just us.
Her eyes softened at my worried expression, a smile forming on her lips.
"Because you're my everything and a part of me. Abandoning you would be like leaving a half of me behind. Your father was influenced by his pride. The villagers who laugh and give you unnecessary advice are the same people who will point and laugh when they see you fall. You are my future, and I know you're going to grow up to be someone great," she revealed.
I blinked in shock at her wise words, taking a moment to ponder them.
"But…don't you hate it? You have to work twice as hard. You go out and heal other people before coming home to tend to my needs. You do this over and over again. Aren't you tired? Don't you resent me?"
My eyes fell on the pork steaks before me, the steam rising upward. If I wasn't in her life, she would be free to walk the streets without worry. She wouldn't need to listen to the daily gossip that centered around her wherever she went. Even those she healed couldn't help but question why she took care of me and had no shame in asking her.
"I take great joy in being able to work, so I can come home and feed my pride and delight. I know we don't have much. Sometimes, I wish I could work even harder, just to give you a better life. But to answer you, I don't hate it. At the end of the day, if I ever fall ill or can't work when I'm old, I'll have a daughter who will support and still love me. Your father and the villagers, they would only feel pity and abandon me. I resent not giving your father a good slap or two. Maybe it would have knocked some common sense to his brain."
I snickered, unable to picture my mother slapping my father. I wished I had some type of memory of him sometimes trying to imagine what he looked like, but it was funny to try and imagine what Mother looked like slapping my father, even without a good memory of him to attach to the image. With an innocent appearance and a heart-shaped face, she looked like she couldn't hurt a fly.
"I love you, Mom."
"What's gotten into my little Abigail? No more sappiness at this table. Now, eat your food before it gets cold."
I giggled, readying my hands to dig right in.
"Abigail."
I sighed, pouting at her stern gaze. "Mom, it's so much faster to use my hands," I complained.
She lifted her eyebrow at me.
I sighed again, glaring at the utensils sitting neatly on my right.
"Fine. Just this time. But you have to use your fork for the veggies." She smiled at my happy expression. She watched me dive in, a small smile on her lips.
"Abby?"
"Yes, Mommy?"
"I love you, too."
My consciousness emerged from the memory; my body felt hot like I was burning from the inside out. It was hard to breathe—as if my lungs couldn't absorb enough oxygen to relieve me from this ongoing struggle to survive. It was taking everything in me to keep breathing, my body felt so weak.
Is this how it felt to be on the verge of death? Maybe it would have been easier to get killed with a quick slice to remove one's head, than to deal with this ongoing battle. Why was I even trying to win? There was nothing left for me here. Maybe if I died, I'd get to see Mother. Yes, Mother would stand there with her arms spread wide, waiting for me to jump into her embrace. Then, she wouldn't be lonely up in heaven. She'd have me.
With each hampered breath, my desire to die grew stronger. It was only a matter of time till I took my last breath. It would be better this way, no one would grieve for me. They could simply bury me in the ground. I'd be lucky to get a wooden box out here in the forest.
If only I could be buried next to Mother. Then she wouldn't be alone. I'd always be next to her, just how she always stood by me; she defended, protected and loved me regardless of having no specialty worthy of such affection.
At least in the afterlife, no one would judge you by the power you held. You were a soul, just like all souls, and though each was unique, they made up from one essence, power, and creation.
"Move faster! Her breathing is shallow. She won't make it if we don't pick up the pace," an unfamiliar voice announced.
"Switch places with me. I can keep her stable while you two carry her," another voice suggested, sounding much deeper.
Their words didn't make much sense to me. I guess my pounding head and ringing ears contributed to my inability to comprehend their speech.
I hadn't recognized the swaying motion until I was lowered to something solid. I bet they were getting ready to bury me.
I didn't know why, but the image of those three dragons flashed within the darkness of my mind. Yet again, I was reminded of their existence. What purpose did they have in my life? Because so far, all they'd contributed was agony. I couldn't blame them for my mother's murder. But, it was due to me helping them that led me to this moment—my life hanging by a thread.
However, the thought of leaving them made my heart beat so swiftly and ache so deeply in my chest, as dread filled me. Would those dragons feel my passing? Better yet, would they even care or mourn for me? Deep within me, I knew they would.
Before I could linger on my final moments, I felt something warm spread through my body. I took a deep breath, my lungs filling with the oxygen they had been craving. My body relaxed into whatever was holding me, the swaying movement returned. I felt something cold press against my forehead.
A calming voice whispered in my ear, "Fight, child. You have a purpose in this world. Don't let the enemies win. Fight to survive and complete the task you've been blessed to achieve," the deep voice encouraged.
Those were the last words I heard before my consciousness faded away.
I stood in a field of flowers—the different colored blossoms looked vibrant against the green grass that stood tall. I was happy, oh so very happy. I knew this place was safe and allowed me to be free. Free of sadness or heartache; simply free.
I let out a laugh, my legs full of strength as I ran with all my might. There was nothing holding me back in this world, no gossip or shackles to dampen the bright light within me. In this place, I knew just how special I was, and no one could possibly tell me I was wrong. I spun around, noticing the beautiful, silk white dress that clung to my body. My skin was smooth with not a bruise in sight. If only I had a mirror to look at my brown hair that was in tight curls. I could picture just how bright my turquoise eyes were. There would be no dark circles from the lack of sleep I had once endured. My body felt full and as light as a feather compared to the heavy burden I once carried. I was ready to move forward, and there was nothing holding me back.
I stopped my spinning marathon, my body falling back into the haven of flowers; a green patch of grass cushioned my fall. I stared up at the sky, which was a beautiful baby blue with white clouds drifting by. The breeze was light and warm, only emphasizing the wondrous aroma around me. Everything was perfect here...but was I missing something? Someone?
At that very moment, I saw three dragons in the sky. My eyes grew wide at their glorious beauty—blue, gold, and purple. The three of them flew in a circle, their heads looking down before they dove for the ground.
I quickly got to my feet, my legs already moving as I sprinted to where they landed. I huffed and puffed as I approached where they stood, their heads down low as if looking at something below.
I cautiously approached, but it was as if they couldn't see me. I turned and looked at the blue dragon first; his sapphire eyes looked sad, maybe even heartbroken. I was confused as to why such a creature would be sorrowful?
I turned my head to the gold dragon on my right, his expression just as pained. His gold eyes looked glossy as if he was on the verge of tears.
I walked forward to the final dragon—the purple one. I glanced into his purple eyes; they held much more than just sadness. They held a level of regret no creature should be able to project so strongly. I watched as it blinked, a tear rolling down its scaly skin, its head hung low.
My heart hurt for these creatures. Why were they so sad? Did they lose their way? Or maybe they couldn't go home. I followed the purple dragon's gaze, his eyes on a stone. I walked forward, reaching the edge of what looked like a tombstone. I took one glance at the three dragons that surrounded me—their gaze locked on the tombstone before me.
Abigail Fiammetta
Wait a minute. Wasn't that me? But, I was right there...is that why they couldn't see me? Was I dead? But, I can't leave them. They'd be lost without me. I had to go back. I wanted to go back.
I began to run from the scene, leaving behind the dragons who mourned me. The sky began to darken as if my once perfect image had shattered the moment reality dawned on me.
Please, take me back! I have a purpose to fulfill! I need to at least say goodbye to them. Then they won't feel the need to mourn me! PLEASE!
I watched as a bright light appeared before me—my chest burned with immense heat just like when I'd healed the blue dragon.
I took a final glance over my shoulder; my eyes grew wide at the image that already began to fade. My mother stood in the fields of flowers, nodding her head as she wore a pride-filled smile.
"Be strong, my sweet Abby," she whispered. Her eyes glimmered brightly before she disappeared.
I turned back to the path before me, the light getting brighter and brighter. My mother's blessing gave me the strength to run even faster. I would make it; I would live. I needed to avenge my mother and all those who'd been murdered by that brute of a king. I would avenge them, even with my very last breath.
The light engulfed me.