Ashley The first warmth of spring crept into the valley, soft and fragrant. Birds returned to the branches overhead, and the forest began to breathe again. Within my chest, the fear was gradually reducing, giving room for a sense of peace to penetrate. Days had passed since Luna’s return, and though she had grown stronger with each sunrise, I could not fully shake the memory of her bound and frightened form. I preferred it this way, though. The more I remembered, the less likely I was to make mistakes in the future. I told myself that the scars, visible or hidden, would heal in time. Still, some nights I woke up gasping, certain I could hear the faint scrape of a dagger against my daughter’s skin. “Everything will be fine,” I told myself. That morning, I sat outside the villa, watching Luna chase a flock of fireflies that shimmered like lanterns in the pale light. She laughed as she ran, her bare feet leaving prints in the damp grass. Each sound of her laughter made me smile
Last Updated : 2025-11-24 Read more