Freedom: My Book Of Firsts Novels & Stories

Genuine. To go straight to the point, my first freedom occurred when I brought up a conversation about school then learning that day. Dad was excited that I was talking about something that he fancied so much and in a way to show he was really interested in what I was saying, he switched off the TV.

THIRD-PERSON P.O.V That night Freeda found out she was free and decided to leave the next morning. She also wanted to give farewell to the siblings first, even though the siblings had done something wrong to her, she also wanted to thank them because they did not abandon her. Flynn, on the other hand, told Freeda that he would sleep in his room tonight. "Sleep well, my love," Flynn said and walked away and Freeda just sighed as she seated on her bed. It wasn't a problem for Freeda that Flynn wanted to be alone, but she didn't notice the sadness that Flynn felt because of the sheer joy she felt. Freeda just lay down on her bed with a smile on her lips. She took the diary from the table and to

“You’re mine. That’s all that matters.” We lie like that for a long time. No words. No noise. Just the heartbeat of a life we almost lost. And tomorrow? Tomorrow I’ll open the Mine's ledgers again. I’ll pick up the phone and speak to the board. I’ll play one note on the piano, and maybe another. I’ll begin again. Because I survived. Because she stood by me. Because freedom didn’t come all at once. But it came. And I’m still learning how to wear it.

While I waited to board the plane at the airport, Jay called. I declined the call immediately, removed the SIM card from my phone and threw it away. From now on, I would live my own life. The plane landed in the icy winds of Usmana. I wrapped my coat tighter and looked toward the arrivals area where Leeya stood waving. "You're finally here!" she exclaimed. She ran over and gave me a big hug, nearly squeezing the breath out of me. "Congratulations on finally being free!"

I did not wipe them away. I did not try to hide them. Because at that moment—There was no reason to pretend anymore. My life no longer felt like something I controlled. It felt like something that had been decided for me long before I even understood it. And as I held onto the man who might be my greatest danger—Or my only truth—One thought settled quietly in my mind. Maybe…This was the first real moment of freedom I had ever felt. —----------------------------------

Unwritten. And now. It had a creator. I exhaled slowly. Then kept moving. Not running. Not escaping. Building. Step by step. Choice by choice. Into a space that belonged to no one else. And for the first time. That felt like freedom.

*Freedom*, I thought, the word echoing in my mind as I allowed myself to imagine the life I could have. For the first time in a year, I felt the spark of hope.

Here goes nothing… “Miranda, I choose you to be my best friend, partner and my one true love. My promise to you is simple: my love for you will endure until the end of time because with you I am free to make mistakes without judgment. I’m free to learn and to grow in a rich and safe environment. I am free to laugh, and cry, and even rage when I need to. I can give and receive without debt or expectation. I am free to be myself to the fullest extent. With you, Miranda, I am finally free.” The End

Freedom didn’t feel the way I thought it would. I thought it would be loud, like fireworks or a door slamming shut behind Marcus forever, but it was quieter than that, softer, like the first morning I woke up and didn’t check the locks before I checked on Lily, like the first time James texted me good morning and I didn’t read it three times looking for a hidden meaning, like the first time I designed something without wondering if Marcus would think it was good enough. It was small things stacking up until one day I realized the weight in my chest was gone and I could breathe all the way down to my ribs without hurting.

I'll go to the mirror, fix my hair and go back to m- "Behold... the melancholy of tomorrow." "Freedom is the first lie to ever be told. Man is never truly free and has always been a slave to themselves, the earth beneath our feet, and the one above us." -Author's shower thoughts.