Free

“There’s Always Room for Sweets!” Queenie shrieked. I winced as her shrill voice broke through the soft buzzing of the crowd. She was a portly woman, covered head to toe in pink. Gold rings were squashed onto her sausage-like fingers, but they were barely visible through her icing-laden hands. Queenie was truly vile, but these people were all under her spell. The gowns, the suits, the music—All an illusion. The only things that were real were the decadent confections, which she insisted on stuffing her face with.

The banquet hall was just as decadent, rich, and over the top as Queenie. Pastel silks draped from the ceiling. Every surface was covered in flowers, jewels, and exotic creatures. The musicians were sadly playing in the only dark corner of this hall. It’s the only way that the people could dance about in this space. I’m wasn't sure that I could stand the whole scene much longer.

The musicians were picking up their tempo, as if they could feel my heart quickening. Do they know what I’m about to do? Are they on to me? I quickly rid myself of the ridiculous notion. My only chance was coming up; the dancers were starting to pick up their pace. I had to focus. Their gowns and coattails became a colorful blur. I had begun to count down—five…four…three…two…one…NOW! As I rushed through the cloud-like arches, created by the women, I couldn't help but notice the look of pure joy on their faces. They all appeared to be floating in slow motion, their bursts of laughter lifted the spirit of the music.

I made it through the corridor and up to the eastern wing. I knew that I didn’t have much time left. That diversion would only last for so long and Queenie would surely notice that I had gone missing. Eventually, when her sugary treats have all run out, she'd scream for my capture. I had to keep pushing forward. As I climbed the cold, stone steps, I ripped off my dreadful gown. The ghastly thing nearly swallowed me whole and turned me into a petit-four nightmare. Queenie had the maids force my blue hair into a whipped cream cage. The only thing that contraption helped me do was to hide a few key weapons that I was going to need for the next leg of this journey.

Armed with nothing, but my bow and a few daggers, I pulled myself up to the window’s ledge. The guards were all heading for the small fire I had set in the western wing. It was time. Jump now or die, trapped in the tower. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before I leaped. This will only hurt for a bit. I leaped and as the cold air rushed past my face, my life flashed before me. But before deep reflection or regrets could even enter my mind, the wind is crushed from my lungs and loud SNAP filled my ears. Then, I was enveloped in complete darkness.

I am slowly wakened by searing pain and the cracking of bones as they rearranged themselves. This was the most important part of my escape; the transformation. All focus had to be kept on this, lest I turned myself into what lies beneath the castle. Through the globs of blood that had filled my mouth, I began to recite the words that my dearest uncle gave me. As I recited them, the pain intensified and my skin prickled. I was freezing at first and suddenly it was as if a million fiery needles were pushed out of my flesh at once. My lips began to harden until they were like stone. They were harder to move this time. I tried to open my eyes, but a blinding flash of light hit me and suddenly, I was aflame; my flesh slid from my bones, like a tender piece of meat. An invisible force pressed down on me and my breathing became shallow. I was certain that everything had gone awry. I was to become one of those sad creatures. The pressure dissipated, and I was shrouded in darkness again. This time, I was covered in a snowy blanket of ash. As I moved slowly and tenderly, I pulled myself up, out of the ashes. I looked around and took a huge sigh of relief. I dug my talons into the pile that bore me. With wings spread wide, my legs pushed against the ground and I was flying free.