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A sad history

Aurelia.

I'm running fast, but no matter how fast I run the darkness follows closely behind me. Where am I, this place is so familiar, it's too beautiful to be something I can make up with my limited imagination. I run through a massive hall that has two golden chairs on top of the raised platform, they are so magnificent. I slow down and stare at them, I know I've been here before, I know this room. Did I live here? A loud bang draws my attention back to my chaser the darkness is so close, I turned to run but suddenly I'm falling.

Waking up in the dark on the hard floor is nothing new to me. This cell is the only home I can remember. That room in the dream, I know for sure that I've been there, but when? If only I could recall my past, at least I remember my name is Aurelia. While in this cell, I have been starved, beaten and left for days alone in the dark with only my thoughts to keep me company. The only person I've seen in all the time I've spent here has been my Jailer. I don't even know his name; the only things he ever says to me are shut the f**k up or I'll really give you something to cry about or do you want to die.

There hasn't been a moment that I've felt piece of any kind. There are so many times that I have been beaten. I've lost count of all my scars. I don't even know why I'm in this cave he's never answered as I begged for answers. The worst was after the first time I changed into a dragon, the change itself was more painful than any beating I've gotten. My body felt like it was on fire, I thought the pain came from the lashes I was getting just for asking for food after three days of starving.

"WHAT THE F**K!" Yelled my jailor. "You're a Dragon!" He had run out of the room with fear in his eyes mumbling, but I can't hear it over the pain.

It felt like something was growing out of my cuts. What's happening to me! My bones started to break in so many places at once, I thought for sure I was going to die this time. My bones started to reshape; my nails started to grow into long claws that curve at the end. As my jaw detached and started shifting, my teeth grew into long sharp points. Two giant wings grew out of my back and they are so heavy, as my wings grew, I felt a tail start to whip around behind me. It was so long and covered in spikes that it came to a menacing point like a spear.

The last thing I remember was a flash of an ice blue river surrounded with lush green trees, soft looking grass and flowers everywhere. Standing by the river was the most beautiful boy I had ever seen. He had curly black hair that rested just above his shoulders. He had pointed ears that seemed strange to me and bright green eyes that shined in the Moonlight. I thought he must be maybe twelve years old; it was hard to tell. I really didn't even know how old I was.

When I woke days after that first shift and the beatings I got for it, I tried to imagine that place and the boy that was there. It was easy to slip into that fantasy place. I spent the next year's escaping to that river, every night the boy was there practicing his magic. It was so beautiful to watch him grow flowers and trees out of nothing. He could manipulate the water and the stones making them dance in any way he wanted. The water reflecting in the Moonlight was almost as beautiful as the man the boy grew into. He was also very skilled with a sword and his bow. He never missed a target and his blade would sing as he swung it.

If only he was real....

The times I was alone and not at the river, I would practice my shifting. It did not go well at first. There were times where I couldn't shift back to human form and the Jailer would return and torture me until I shifted back. With time I got better, I now could shift any part of my body that I wanted. It was almost time.

I've been waiting for my Jailer to have to leave the caves. He only left once in a while to get supplies. He would be gone for two days. If I was ever going to get out of here it has to be now. I could not stand to stay here a second longer and I was going to get out of here if it cost me my life. I was so weak; I hadn't eaten in days it was now or never. It's hard to even get up off the floor I am so weak.

"F**k!" Yelling into the darkness gives me a boost of resolve.

My nail slowly grows into a long claw, it hurts more than it should. Hopefully I can pick this lock and get out of here. Finally, I hear the click and the lock falls to the ground. For the first time I push the door open and walk out of my own free will. I don't know how to get out of this place but I'll just have to follow whatever is on the other side of that door. It opens to a long dark tunnel, petrified and exhausted I put one foot in front of the other. I can tell I'm reaching end; the air is starting to get fresher.

Finally, I reach the end and enter a large cavern. Its rounded and has a pool with a waterfall on the other end. It's so beautiful, I've never seen so much water in real life. The water is so cold and delicious, I can't help but drink till I feel like I'm going to explode. Panic hits me as I realize I can't see a way out of this room. Was it all for nothing?

Soon my eyes catch a glimmer of moonlight through the waterfall. When I'm walk to the other side, I see a small way out. I pass through it, my eyes open onto a vast forest, the far end of the trees melts into darkness. I have no idea how far I would have to go before I would be safely away from this place.

I don't know how far I walked or how long it was. The ground changed from rocky and ruff to dirt and then grass. It took all my strength to keep walking. I had to get as far away as possible. I followed the river hoping I would come by someone who could help me. Ahead the rocks curve around the river and maybe there's a place I can hide and sleep. As I stumble around the rocks I have to stop in my tracks.

How can this be? This isn’t real.

I must have fallen asleep.... He's so beautiful.

The world starts to spin and I'm falling,

"Please ...help me."

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