Becoming Free Indeed Novels & Stories

Sophia and Adrian slipped away from the main festivities, choosing instead the intimacy of a quiet corner beneath a sprawling oak tree. Sophia’s heart pounded as she looked up at the star-studded sky, each twinkling light a reminder of the dreams they were ready to chase. “Adrian, do you ever wonder if we’re truly free?” she asked, her voice barely audible over the gentle rustling of leaves. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. “I do,” he admitted. “Freedom isn’t just about escaping the past or the noise of the world—it’s about embracing the future with all its uncertainties. And with you, I feel free to be who I truly am.”

A feeling you get inside that you are a part of this busy world and for people like it is a reminder to make my name known and engrave it as a good example for seven billion people to know. My phone vibrated in my pocket interrupting my thoughts. "Hello?" I answered, unfocused still watching as students walk to school ready to start another uneventful day, tired, not aware that they are at their best days, where they still can dream and be free in imagining their future, no matter how sad their life gets, they still have hope. It was never late for them to fix their mistakes, it's never late for anyone, however, they are still young and still trying to understand life. Didn't we all try to d

I was finally free. END

I said that this award was dedicated to everyone who had lost themselves in marriage and found the courage to reclaim who they were. The audience erupted into applause. After the event, I received a text message from an unfamiliar number backstage. It was incredibly long, as if the sender had typed it, deleted it, and started over countless times. "Julian, I know you won't reply to this message. I just wanted you to know that after my mom passed away, I donated all my assets to charity. I moved into the oldest nursing home in Seaport and became a volunteer, spending my days caring for residents with dementia.

I was struggling all the way. But I never once thought about dropping out or running home. Compared to my previous life, when I was thrown into the Northern Barrens and humiliated in every way, this was utopia! I reminded myself repeatedly that if one could not endure the pain of studying, one would pay for it in another way. It wasn't until year two that I started to get the hang of things. Strong grades, solid experimental results, and a few standout talents slowly earned me real respect.

“Not because of what you’ve inherited, but because of what you are. Your blood is the cipher. Your mind, the trigger. But your heart—your refusal to become him—that’s what makes you useful.” Useful. That single word ignited something inside me. Like I was no longer a person, but a design. “Who the hell are you?” I asked aloud. The voice paused. Then: “The one who designed your freedom.” They told me once that freedom was earned. That you had to bleed, fight, and claw your way to it. But I was starting to learn that my freedom had been manufactured in a lab, hidden inside code, etched into the strands of my DNA long before I could ever say my own name.

Humiliated. But also... free. Completely, utterly free.

Of finally getting past everyone standing in front of me scrutinizing everything that I do. *TICK* Four… Free of all the judgmental stairs and whispers, and from being the perfect princess with a certain image to uphold. *TICK* Three… Free from being wanted simply because of my title, to be responsible and trusted without all the never-ending questions. *TICK* Two… Free of all the protection measures and attempts to keep me locked away for my own safety. *TICK* One… Free to get dirty, and chase fireflies. *TICK* Zero… Free to be me.

"I was so focused on the next step, the next move, and the next 'win' that I completely missed the fact that I was building my own prison. I thought if I just did enough, worked hard enough, or reached the next milestone, I’d finally be free. I didn't realize that freedom wasn't a destination—it was just the ability to sit still." Silas moved closer, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. His touch was firm and grounding. "We all do that. We look for freedom in the things that are easiest to measure—money, success, or just getting through the day. But none of those things actually make you free. You’re only free when you stop caring about what the world expects from your output

"You're more than what they did to you. You're also what you choose to be. What you choose to become. That's power they can't take. Can't suppress. Can't touch." "I want to believe that." "Then start by acting like you believe it. Even if you don't. Act like you're free. Act like you have choice. Act like you matter. Eventually the acting becomes real. Becomes true. That's how it worked for me. How it still works for me. Some days I have to remind myself I'm not cursed. Not broken. Not worthless. But reminding helps. Acting helps. Choosing helps. Every day. Every moment. Choose yourself. Choose freedom. Choose life."