2001 School Magazine

^ s : original works

Freedom

Scarlet stood at the edge and pondered the end ess possibilities awaiting her This onejump was going to free her from all of life's affliction and pain. The sun was still a fair way above the horizon: Scarlet had planned to take the jumpjust as the sun was setting As the cool yet strong updraught played across her face, Scarlet thought of all the times when she was ignored and left to survive for herself Heaving a long, deep sigh, Scarlet recalled the usua procedure at meal times She was always left out when her parents came home with their dinner Christopher and Peter, her two older brothers, pushed her aside and ate ravenously before she had even sat down to her meal. When she began they would take her share as well After they were fin shed, Scarlet was only left the crumbs or cast-aside pieces Another hardship that Scarlet remembered while she stood there. was last winter15 rains Her family had been lucky compared to some of their neighbours The Robbins lost all four of their children when their home was swept away with the storms. Scarlet's once warm and cosy home had turned very draughty and wet because of a damaged roof. in the early hours of one stormy morning Scarlet fell dangerously sick. it was purely willpower that kept her alive during the long days and nights until the rains moved on As her eyes cast across the horizon, she saw that it wouldn't be long until the sun would start to set. It was almost the exact sky when Scarlet's mother told her about the dangers of the world "There are some very bad strangers in the world;if they get the chance, they'11 try to hurt you. Youd do best to avoid them, "Scarlet's mother had told her One night when Scarlet's parents were out, she had heard an unusual noise outside. It wasn't until she heard a wheezy laugh that she realised it was one of the strangers her mother had warned her about. Scarlet and her brothers heard the stranger trying to find a way into their home. They screamed for their parents when they heard them coming home But by the time they got there, the stranger had disappeared. It was a long time until Scarlet felt safe again Ever so slowly the sun started to disappear over the horizon. it was time for Scarlet to take the step that would release and transport her to a new plane of existence. Most of all she would be free from her life, to start a new wonderful one in a far off place where there is no suffering, hardship or pain With the final idea of freedom, Scarlet plunged from the edge. She hurtled towards the ground and just at the last second before she would reach certain death, she opened her magnificent yet untested wings for the first fl ght of heriife After flying around the nest where she had spent the last year, somewhat unsteadily, Scarlet soared off into the distance, to the endless possibilities awaiting her

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full, a Jack I I England

KOIhonne Cron I I Mockoy

an CIO, k 9 Hirschfo!d