Orchid ch.1

   The sun rose from the horizon, clothed in shades of gold, lighting the new day gloriously with its warmth. Gold and orange tendrils crawled along the treetops, signaling for thousands of birds to wake up and sing. The shadows flew from the light like demons from God as the dew on the leaves sparkled and glinted in the sun. Mountains stretched their great masses along the land, eternally greeting the sky. The wind danced through the grasses and softly kissed the elven forest.

     Aiden lay in her bed. Her long red hair was tangled in knots. Faery knots she thought to herself. She couldn’t sleep so violently every single night that she had to untangle her hair by hand every morning. Using a brush would just pull all her hair out. No, faeries had to be doing it while she slept. She groaned and sat up. Stretching her arms above her head she looked out her window at the forest right outside the garden gate in her back yard. She couldn’t wait to get outside today and run along the deer paths picking wildflowers and berries. The forest was her most favorite place in the world to be. She felt free dashing in and out between the gnarled trees, sneaking up on deer, and chasing rabbits.

     She climbed out of bed and walked over to her bedroom mirror. Her hair was impossible. It was always beautiful and never tangled during the day but at night it always got so tangled, and she couldn’t cut it short because her parents would call her a dike and take her to the chapel to be cleansed of her sinful nature. Hypocrites, they wouldn’t know true sin if it bit them in the rear. Taking one last look at her reflection she walked into the bathroom and took a long hot shower, untangling her hair and washing it with the natural shampoo that her mother hand made especially for long hair.

     Stepping out of the shower she wrapped a towel around herself and walked into her bedroom. Reaching into her closet she pulled a loose fitting dark green dress off a hanger and slipped it on over some jeans that were paint spattered and had holes ripped in the knees. Preferring to go barefoot she ignored all the shoes that lay unworn in her closet floor and walked out her bedroom door.

     The kitchen had a wood floor that always seemed cold to Aiden’s feet. The walls were painted a deep blue and the windows were dressed in white lace curtains that reminded Aiden of a spider’s web. Seeing that her parents weren’t awake yet she grabbed several apples and headed out the back door. It was still early morning and even though it was beginning to become morning mist still clung to the forest trees. Trotting down the garden path Aiden breathed in the fresh air. It invigorated her as she sped her pace up to a jog. She was eager to get out into the forest. Alone, yet not alone. She knew the hidden animals in the underbrush were always watching her warily. Looking to see if she was a threat to them or their young. Still, it didn’t matter to Aiden. She was in the forest and that was all she needed to be happy.

     Just as she was lifting up the latch to the gate Aiden heard a window open and a loud yell directed at her.

     “Just where do you think you’re going Aiden Roe Lee!” Her mothers shrill voice pierced the morning quiet.

      Aiden turned around slowly, not wanting to look her mother in the eye. “I was going to take an early morning run through the forest. I would have brought you fresh black berries. You know I never go into the forest without bringing you fresh berries or herbs. I thought you wouldn’t have minded.”

     “Well not today! Today, you and I going to the flea market and your father is going fishing with some buddies from the office. Now go take off those dirty rags and put on something appropriate for the public eye. I would hate for people to think I was raising a wild child,” and with that her mother ducked her head back through the window and shut it with a resounding click.

      Aiden rolled her eyes and groaned. She hated going to the flea markets. That stupid boy Joe Ferris her parents were always trying to get her to date was always at the flea markets she and her mother went to. It’s like they set it up or something, and every time they went, stupid Joe always insisted on walking right beside me! He even tries to talk to me. I hate being in a crowd. It makes me claustrophobic, and I especially hate talking to Joe. He’s so vain and arrogant. The only thing he ever talks about is himself. Well, not today she thought. I won’t be able to survive another day with Joe Ferris and his idiocy. With that last thought she unlatched the garden gate and ran into the forest. She didn’t care if she would make her parents pissing mad. She could deal with that later. Right now she was in the forest and nothing could stop her from being free.