He spoke low and soft, as one does to coax a feral creature to a cage. But she would not be swayed. This beautiful wild thing was free.
Unbound, tether cut, she flew to the heavens with grace and power. Her strength honed by years of unnatural restraint. To endure was her lot, until, like a raindrop returned to the ocean, the world enveloped her in warmth and hope.
No more would she suffer the bleak, lifeless existence of servitude. No more would she shift and bend to suit his needs. Her harpy’s voice screeched with joy, loosed by the wind and open sky.
Again, he spoke, barely a whisper, “You cannot leave me. I am nothing without you.” His secret escaped with the leaking of his heart.
Bolstered by fear, his bow took aim. He called out to her, “In the name of love, I will kill you, and you will be no others’. It will be a mercy upon you, a gift.”
Uncaring for her life, but mindful of her soul, her naked feet touched down upon the crisp leaves of autumn and came to him until the sharp pinch of his tip pressed to her breast. “You may do as you like, but I will stay free in the doing or the not doing.”
Blinded by her godly splendor, his stinging eyes wept tears of loss. His lies no longer bound her.
She was a goddess unleashed.
About the Creator
S.J. Frederick
I've been writing for a few years in my spare time. I'm trying to find my voice, though I'm not sure if I'll know when it's here. For now, I'm just enjoying the journey.


Comments (3)
Fierce words❤️
But in what form? Like the ending of "The Natural" which begs the question, does he marry, grow old, & play catch with his son or does he find himself in fields of glory, mourning all that might have been? He loses either way. I have known of all too many who answer on the bitter side of the question.
Fierce and freeing—like watching someone finally break the chains and never look back.