Crimson sat in the middle of her room, legs crossed and tightly clenching her faded maroon felted bunny rabbit. Her ears rang from the carried voices downstairs in the den. With glossy eyes she looked up and peeked at the door and then shifted her gaze to the bookshelf. Slowly she stood and with gentle steps made her way to pick out a book. Returning to her spot, Crimson opened the novel to the title page.
A Cat Called Bast. Her fingers ran across the page seemlessly, taking in every bump. With a glimmer of escape on her face, Crimson turned to the first chapter and began to read. As she took in the first few paragraphs visions swirled and new voices came alive. This was her happy place. A few years ago, her happy place looked a lot different, but now, well it could be anything she needed it to be. Within moments of starting to read, the room filled with jungle creatures that joined her on the floor, ready with open ears to listen to the tale Crimson was about to start. The snakes twisted and perched atop the bed banisters, reaching down with their long bodies to get in just a bit closer. After the orangutans made their nests, she looked down to make sure everyone was settled before she began. "Not long ago, in a land called Havar, Prince Julian would get his chance at the throne." Crimson looked around at all her friends, some with elbows on their knees, bright eyes and eager smiles, others with indifference as they picked at the fuzz of the carpet in front of them. "Ahem." The looks of absence became eye rolls.
"Atop the highest mountain in all of Havar, sat the Tower of Gorran, a tribute to the late queen. Its sandstone walls and battlements rose to the sky, disappearing into the thin veil of clouds just below the heavens." Low gutteral whoops came from the clan of orangutans sitting to the left of Crimson. There russet hair still sticky with the juice of fruits from their breakfast. They were big fans of being up high and the thought of touching the clouds excited each of them. Their alpha, Mazi, tilted his chin toward the ceiling. "I know, right? Doesn't that sound exciting?" Crimson glanced around the room to see most of the animals scoping out the tower that now stood in the distance just beyond the foot of the bed and her hopechest. The sun-tanned carved blocks, the piles of sand at its base, and a glow of gold and blue emanated from its entrance. The snakes coiled in anticipation. As the story carried on, some of the younger animals curled up in the laps of others and drifted in and out of slumber, no doubt dreaming about the possibilities of the magical tower. With their heavy eyes and puddle like posture, some tried unsuccessfully to fight the nap that was about to happen. Crimson continued to read as the little ones drifted off. "Kurak the Giant ascended the mountains of sand and rock and stood at the base of Gorran Tower, the top invisible as he looked up at its height. The pulsing blue magic around the keep gate illuminated the sands as they drifted in the wind around him." Crimson looked up to see her audience bright eyed and leaning in as she read. "He approached the gate, only to find runes at the foot of the opening and conjured swirls of electricity atop the arched doorway."
All at once, the animals scattered as the door to Crimson's bedroom swung open. Her brother, Vestus, stomped into the room and ripped the book from under her hands. Instinctively she wrapped her arms around her knees and gathered her legs as close as she could. Vestus' eyes glared not at Crimson, but through her.
"You really thought you could go to them?"
Crimson said nothing.
"I told you to keep your mouth shut." He took a step closer.
Lowering her head, she continued her silence.
"You want to play this game? Fine by me. It's a good thing you can't see me coming." Vestus retreated and slammed the door.
It wasn't the first time Vestus tried to use her blindness against her. He was right to be mad, angry, spiteful. Their life changed the moment she fell from that tree. Crimson conjured up images from their early childhood. The playground, the rope swing in the backyard, and the garden she used to tend with her grandmother. Sweet memories turned to toxic thoughts as she revisited them in her mind.