The Phoenix Has Arisen
So, a while ago I wrote about my decision about writing a novel that would take place before the events that happen in the series I’m currently working on. I put that on pause to continue writing Ignite, the first book in this series. But now, I’m taking this one month of march to see how much I can go with Phoenix, since her story is one I’ve had in my head for quite a long time.
After reading what I’d written at the beginning of the year, I decided it sucked. And here’s the beginning revamped!
There were no more tears in me. I’d cried them all already in the last three days. It was some kind of miracle that I was still in this place. The deed was done. I didn’t understand why they were taking so long. It was a very special sort of torture me. The walls were pure rock, and the bars, an enchanted iron that supposedly would remain even if the castle were to disappear. But it wasn’t the confinement itself that was starting to drive me crazy. It was the not knowing.
Three days of not having any news from the outside. No food. Only a bowl of water brought once a day for me to do as I pleased by a faceless guard. I certainly wasn’t wasting it on trying to wash myself. You got used to the smell.
“Step away from the bars, girl.”
I refrained from reminding the approaching guard that I was, in fact, away from the bars already. They’d selected a guard who I’d never spoken to before to look after me, so it was probably not a good idea.
Maybe the time had come. I’d made my peace with it. There was nothing left to do, anyway. Suddenly, the piece of crumpled parchment in my hand burned as if it was a blazing ember. It was begging me to give it the attention it deserved; to act on it. But I couldn’t. What was I supposed to do? No one would believe me. There was proof, witnesses. What kind of assurance could a written note to myself be?
It was nothing, and I knew it well.
It’s not much but I think it’s significantly better than the previous version. Yay! I rejoice while I can until I start to hate it. Then the hard part will begin.
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