[ry0un0suke]

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I woke up in a cold sweat and all I could hear was screaming. Perhaps it was my own voice, as my husband placed both hands firm on my shoulder and shook me. He was saying something, I couldn't hear me. My throat ached, my head throbbed. But the screaming stopped. I'll wake the baby, I thought. Thus did I fall into a shameful bout of silence. It's been quiet, strangely so. I've been cast onto a dream and I watch the world around me move, as though I were only an observer with no real impact.

 

Have I had any impact? 

We move soon, to my homeland. I've not spoken to my father and mother since I was seventeen years old. I hope they've not fallen ill. Though illness would not take them first, they wouldn't allow it. I sit and ponder as we squeeze our entire life into suitcases and I swaddle a gift that keeps my grounded. This is real, of course. The world around me feels like little twinkles. Voices tear at my flesh and I feel small, unnoticed. I'm having trouble recalling everything I've done. I'm sure I wrote a book. 

I don't remember what it was called. 

Travel will be by boat. I believe I was writing another book, it was but a draft, a thought in my mind and cast about mental pages. But I don't remember it. Esshar cannot offer me what I need. In exchange for information, inspiration, I was only left with turmoil. It aches, yet I bear no telling scars. If I cannot see what's been done to me, did it happen at all. Was I truly here? Did I waste years of my life and youth on a fairytale?

 

I can't wait to introduce the family I made along the way to that of blood. I'll be scolded, even at my age, even at their age. But it'll simmer when they see her smile. I can't help but feel my worries melt away. She's my longevity, longer than anything I could have possibly written. Do they use them as coasters? An extra weight for paper? Equally fond and unpleasant memories.

I do not regret the book cannot remember. I have a copy, however, one I hold near and dear. It thrums, full of the ethereal stories of others who so happily would join a realm more pleasant than their own. I remember, now. I wished to have others join my stories.

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Once upon a time, where the whispers echo, a woman garbed in yellow sat atop the strongest branches of a tree. Her hand gripped at the wood, grasp tight as a careful gaze watched the path below. Despite the circumstance and shroud of night, she shines ever bright. Moonlight reflects from her yellow hood and cloak. Is she attempting to hide? Or guise herself as a massive star within the sky. Plain sight. Sharp hues narrow as the maintains a silence that contrasts her appearance. Hooved steps invade the silence, however, stomping through it as a carriage on the path below comes through. A weary man holds the reigns. Beneath the more extravagant hood sits a well-dressed man holding a briefcase. Her footing adjusts, soles pressing firm on the branches. The young woman's knees bend.

 

"Accomplices of the White Wolf will pay for their transgressions." she mutters before propelling herself from her tree post and crashing against the top of the carriage.

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'Canary' by Indigo Lipovsky. Draft.

 I'm glad I left. The environment wouldn't have been healthy for my daughter, for me. There are skilled doctors on my homeland. With my father and mother's connections just maybe I'll... get better. I can feel my mind tear into two and others emerge. I will treasure the fond memories and nurse my scars. 

 

It will make an excellent story nonetheless-- One born from my own nightmare. I do wish, however, that I could have said goodbye to the knight, made peace with the warlock, shared tea with a fallen mafioso, and figured out what I had done to the golden patriarch. I apologize if it felt like I was only really watching the world go by. At times, I'm a prisoner with my own flesh and the cell is shared with two others.

 

I have been told I am an observer and nothing more after all.

 

Sincerely,

Indigo Lipovsky

1868AC

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Concluding Indigo's story through a forum post. 

I truly appreciate those who took the time to build IC with her and even read her book. 

I was  completely unsatisfied with her at the end, unfortunately.