By: Sophie Ma

One

Two

Three

Skylis smiled at the double layered three petaled flowers she’d made with a flick of her wand. The starry flowers twinkled as she placed them into a small glass tray and stood to walk out of the Genesis Hall. Before she could step out of the hall, an armor-clad knight stopped her and held her back.

“Wand.” He growled, opening his palm. Skylis fought to keep in a snappy retort and placed her wand into his hand. Walking away, she tried to keep her steps light and not storm out into the clearing. She turned a corner into the small garden where Skylis had grown to love. It was one of the few beautiful places in the palace where the Star Creators could stay freely.

The small garden was filled with lilacs, hanging wisterias, and leafy greens. It was located on an edge of the palace that hung over the kingdom. It was like a balcony filled with flowers. Skylis leaped over the glass railing and sat there, dangling her legs over the edge.

Looking out from here, you could see all of the kingdom. From the far edge farmlands to the towns and markets toward the center. A huge lake lay in the center of the kingdom filled with thousands of small starry flowers made by the hundreds of Creators from past years.

Skylis liked to gaze at the beautiful kingdom in the evening because the breathtaking sight made her want to stay a little bit more. Even though the King gave more and more restrictions each day to the point that the Creators were almost just slaves. Each time she stepped out of the Genesis Hall Skylis longed to run off into the wild. Her heart pounded to leave; her blood burned. Every bone in her body ached to flee. To get out of the kingdom. To live somewhere in the forest off in the west.

“Skylis!” A sweet, high pitched, giggly voice squeaked behind Skylis. She knew who it was before she even turned around. Behind her, Evara skipped over to her in a white dress, her honey brown curls bouncing.

“Yes?” Skylis smiled. This was why she couldn’t leave. She couldn’t bring herself to leave the young princess alone in the castle with no friends.

“You’re out early!” Evara slipped next to me, leaning into my own purple and white robes. I nodded, glancing over at the sunset. Evara caught my gaze and frowned at me. “You aren’t really gonna leave, are you?” Her large golden eyes stared up at Skylis, and her heart felt like it was going to melt.

“Evara, I have to.” Skylis looked away from the little girl, off into the forest. Where she could be free. “You don’t understand. It’s not safe for Creators like me here anymore.” Evara leaned in closer to me, and Skylis wrapped her arms around the little princess.

“I’ll miss you.”

“I will, too.” Skylis fought back tears and looked into the evening sun. Soon, soon she could run off into the night.

“I’ll help you get out, if you’d like.” Evara looked up at me once again and I nodded.

“We’ll show those guards, princess.” Skylis tried to pull a smile and poked Evara’s nose.

That night, Skylis smuggled out her wand and swung a cape around her. She’d hugged Evara one last time and promised to come back. One day, Skylis had said, when you’re the queen, and things are better, I’ll come back. I promise. Skylis shook herself and leaped into the cool night. Into freedom.