Doomed "to live"

Chapter 26 (Forbidden to speak)

Soon I found myself in the enchanted forest. As I ran through it, I couldn't help but look up at the sky. The stars shine brighter as if pointing the way to freedom. The view fades, the eyes of the forest watching me. Eliot sees me. The animals are screaming, crying, and complaining about their lives. And I cannot speak to them. THE OLD MAN FORBADE IT. Where have my detective instincts gone? Why do I have to ask other people for help...? After all, I used to be able to get out of any situation... But this is not Paris. Not home. This is not my home and it will NEVER BE... The deeper I went into the forest, the more terrifying and horrible it became. The flowers started to sing and the trees began to dance. It's scared me to death. It was relaxing but frightening at the same time. I knew something was wrong, but I couldn't say a word. I HAD TO STAY SILENT. They reached for my hand to dance, the TANGO. I had to run. Fast.

In the moonlight, my rose-red dress turned into a lavender ball gown... It changes colors...? I couldn't help but laugh out loud!! IT CANNOT BE!!! Oh, no... Diana the Fool! What have I done!?? Benedict's laughter rang out in the depths of the enchanted forest. I REPEAT. BENEDICT'S NOT ELIOT'S!!!! He's here. My heart rate has evened out. I decided to walk the rest of the way. (I was tired of running without stopping) I came to a cliff and looked down. The waterfall is huge... Come on jump! What am so I afraid of?!       Tears started to roll, like stones lifted by a great hurricane. My mind was in turmoil. There was no escape.

I lifted my despairing eyes. THIS IS IT!!! The Land of Mercy!!! Called Meulinora!! From this cliff, you can see an entire town of working people ruled by the degenerate Emperor Eliot!!! How can he not understand that these people are the future of Spain...? But there was only one question in my mind... WHY DO I MATTER TO HIM...? I realize that there is something more than Eliot's desire to marry me for his whims. Why am I incapable of thinking?!!! It's all gone wrong. I don't even know if this is a reality or a dream. Thoughts of eternal loneliness in Paris sounded like a nightingale's song after hard work. I missed home. I miss Benedict's stupid jokes... Will I never see him again...? Where are you, my love? I fell to my knees, off balance, and started to cry out loud. I didn't care what the future holds... I'm doomed to be unhappy. I could hardly bring myself to look at Meulinora. Suddenly, the view of the city disappeared!!! Vaporized, like snow in summer!!!

-What miracles are happening here?!!!!! - "Oh, no!!!" - I thought when tears started rolling down my cheeks. I didn't keep my promise.

This is an enchanted forest... Miracles is his middle name. At night, the mysterious forest shows the most frightening, unexpected, secret fears, feelings, and futures...!!! And during the day, the forest disguises itself and looks like an ordinary one... Why am I so naive...? Freedom will remain my dream, which I will never get, experience, or live again... Eliot will easily find me... I WILL NEVER FORGET BENEDICT'S CLEAR EYES, I WILL NEVER HEAR HIS LAUGHTER, I WILL FORGET MY LOVE FOR HIM, JUST AS ELLIOT CUT MY WINGS OF HAPPINESS, I WILL NEVER LOVE HIM. It's over!!!

I knelt on my knees, put my hands on my face, and started to sob. That is the only thing I'm good at...

I LOST.

-You're giving up so quickly...? - whispered a strange, small, red bird.

-Now, have the animals started to talk too?!!!! I've lost my mind!!! - I said timidly, looking at the bird's wings as if enchanted by their beauty. The songbird hopped from one birch branch to another, like a squirrel, he was so tiny but really powerful. Soon the bird was in front of my eyes. Its eyes reminded me of Benedict, who left me forever... THE GIFT!!

-I've always been able to talk, Mrs Jones... Would you help me...? - He looked at me enigmatically, as if predicting an eternal storm.

-..., - "Now I'm truly mad. I'm talking to a bird..." My thoughts are intertwined, like the roots of a tree deep in the earth. WHEN WILL I WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE?! What if the bird is Eliot's helper...? Calm down, Diana. It's not true. - H-h-how can I trust you...? - I asked