- Word count: 700
- Genre: Fairy Tale
- Character: A hot-shot CEO
- Material: Coloring pencils
- Sentence: “You don’t have to love me.”
- Bonus: The Sun is failing.
As the sun sets, it fails to spread it’s warm light. The fading light highlights the castle atop the ridge, a black silhouette against the violet sky. A cool breeze sends chills as darkness begins to settle.
The young knight treads lightly as he approaches the gates. Hearing many stories of the knights who just escaped the castle alive, for they all tell of a beast who guards the most precious of treasures. Opening the gate no wider than necessary to slide past. Gently closing it behind. Carefully, making way to the grand entrance. All was dark inside. Slow steps across the large hall. Barely able to see with the little light that filtered through dirty windows. The clanking of armor echoed around.
Suddenly warmth hit, like someone had just lit a fire. Turning to peer behind, only to see the flames about to be expelled by a dragon. The knight fled down the hall as a giant fireball came hurtling towards. Running through corridors, up stairs, and around corners.Daring not to look back at the massive beast trying to set the knight ablaze. Only the heat of the fire said the dragon was still in pursuit.
Nearly out of energy to run, bursting through a door, slamming it shut, and pinning their self to it as the door warm from being hit by another bout of flames. Without moving a muscle, listening to the claws of the dragon scrap against the stone floor. Silently breathing to hear the dragon’s loud breath against the still warm door. It sat just beyond the panel of wood, waiting for an attempt at escape.
The knight sighed, realizing the dragon will not come into this room. Pushing away from the door and stepped deeper into the room. Spinning, looking around the beautifully decorated room. The door, where they were just barricading was intricately carved with flowers and painted in gold and white. Soft fabrics of many colors were draped across the room. The knight ducked below the bellowing fabric attached to the ceiling and the bedpost.
Kneeling beside the bed, seeing the dragon’s most precious treasure. They lay silent, cloaked in white, beautiful. The knight lays a hand lightly on their shoulder, awaking them from their sleep. Eyes like sapphires reflected the silver moonlight.
“You came for me?” The treasure asked in a soft voice. “Show me your face.”
The knight reached up and removed their helmet, green eyes glowing. The treasure cupped the knight soot covered cheek, wiping away the gray. “Am I not what you were expecting?” The knight said in a somber tone.
“No. You’re not.” They said sweetly.
A sudden bang on the door caused the pair to jump to their feet. Swiftly the knight grabbed the treasures arm and lead them to the window, breaking it with his elbow. “We must jump!”
“But I cannot leave! You are not the one I love!” The treasure tried to pull away from the knight. Another loud crash into the door, now cracking under the dragons heavy ramming.
“I came to save you and only save you! I’m not asking you to fall in love with me! You don’t have to love me! I just want to see you free!” The dragon broke down the door and charged at the two. “Now jump!” The knight pulled the treasure through the window.
A blue colored pencils rolls across the desk as the young artist lifts the piece to examine it. Liking how it looks, they slide it into the sheet protector and close the binder.
“It it done?” Arms wrap around the artist’s shoulders.
The artist turns to face their lover, kissing their cheek. “For now.” They look back to the folder on the desk. “Do you think he’ll like it?”
“Of course he will. He might be some big hot-shot CEO, but he’s still you dad. He likes everything you create.” Their lover said in a matter-of-fact voice. “But it’s time for us to go.” Unwrapping from the artist, holding out a hand for them to grab. “It’s time to set you free, my treasure.” The artist grabbed the offered hand and was lead to the window. “Ready? Now Jump!”