She’d been held hostage in the rustic cottage for weeks. The daughter of a wealthy international businessman, the kidnapping had happened when the family was on vacation in South America. Her captors were brusque but they treated her with care as she was worth a lot of money to them.
Every day she made a mark on the wall. Day after day Mira sat on a thatched chair, listening to the sounds of the jungle through the thick metal mesh on the windows. She could hear faint mumbled conversations from her captors in the other room as her body drenched itself in sweat and her spirits began to wane. She lived for the cool evening air.
On the evening of the 20th day, Mira heard distant music coming from the jungle. She turned off the light and peered into the darkness and listened. The jungle grew quiet and the music grew louder. Mira noticed a glowing in the dark. Like moonlight but in rainbow colors, eventually it got close enough for her to see it was a face. The music by this time was so loud that Mira was sure that her captors would hear it and burst into the room.
The face was close to the window now. Ah! It was so beautiful! Although its mouth did not move, words came into Mira’s mind. Words of poetry. Words of song. Mira felt an overwhelming joy fill her and she knew everything would be OK.
The next morning, Mira used the stick and the ashes to write the words on the wall. Over the months the walls were filled with poetry and images. Even when the kidnappers left and she was alone she wrote.
When police found her a year later, they were astounded at her room. Photographs were taken of every bit of it. Mira’s parents published her works, which became a beloved classic after many years.
The Muse had done her best. It was not within her power to release Mira’s body from its imprisonment, but she had released Mira’s soul before her body returned to the soil.
Sadje is the host for What do you see?
Beautiful.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Indira.
LikeLike
This is such a wonderful and unique story. Thanks Li for joining in the challenge
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Sadje and glad you liked the story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re such an excellent writer my friend
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is wonderful, Li. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, KItty ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome, Li. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved it 💖
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Paula 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this, Li. Liberated in mind and spirit by the power of words. I can certainly relate to that 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was such an imaginative story. Though I’m sad that Mira probably died within those walls, I’m glad that her soul was released.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Shweta.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The kidnapping turned into a blessing for Mira.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Insightful, Jim. In a way, yes. Wishing she could have been so blessed in another way, but we don’t choose where and how our blessings come.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sad and also full of mystery.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Maybe she left with the muse….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love your vibrant, colorful imagination, JadeLi.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Len, thank you.
LikeLike
Great story Lisa.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Max.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another beautifully written story Jade
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Jude. This was a tough one to write to, so I let the muse take over. This is what she wrote.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Li, I love this! ❤️
LikeLiked by 2 people
🙂 Thank you, Punam!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
brilliant! Loved your take on Sadje’s prompt! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Carol anne 🙂
LikeLike
This is brilliant!!
LikeLike