Finally Free

It was night time and the waves crashed against the shore, reflecting the moonlight. Away, in the distance, the sound of footsteps on the cold sand could be heard, making their way towards the shore. “Who’s there?” Slavery asked. The footsteps came to a stop. “It is I,” Liberty replied in his most confident way possible.

“It’s dark,” Slavery said. Liberty assumed that he was talking about the sky and did not reply. “Go,” Slavery permitted. Liberty continued on his journey, glad that he did not get caught. He stood facing the sea, his eyes reflecting the waves that were dancing freely, irrespective of the darkness surrounding them.

He reached for his pocket. “Stop!” A voice cried. He froze, recognizing it, and felt hands reaching for him through the darkness. Regret filled him, knowing the pain that he was about to endure.

The hands searched his pockets, until they found something. “A letter!” Someone said with astonishment in his voice, “I never knew he could write,” Slavery laughed, “He must have stolen it. Take him away!” He was dragged to a tent. “So, you have been stealing? Kneel!” The person said. Liberty knelt down. Crack! The whip struck his body and he cried out in pain.

By the sea, Slavery opened the letter.

It is my body that will forevermore be broken,

But my soul that will never be slain,

Which like any other dreams of freedom,

But will only become free by pain.

His screams echoed across the night sky. The waves crashed more ferociously than ever. Slavery crushed the letter and threw it into the raging sea.

The whip came down one last time as the moon went behind the clouds.

The lights went out and Liberty was finally free.