The Light Within Part 2: A Bedtime Story

Hello beloveds and welcome to today's reading a short story that i wrote called the light within this is part two just before we begin the story just taking a few moments to settle yourself in comfortably allowing your body to relax here now in this space in this moment maybe taking some long stretches out snuggling down into your pillow and your duvet maybe taking some longer breaths in and out and when you're ready dear ones we will continue with our story chapter four the forest had always been a place of wonder for Imogen tall oaks and whispering birches wove together like guardians their branches stretching high into the sky in spring wild flowers painted the ground in colors brighter than any tapestry and in autumn the leaves fell like golden rain children loved to play there though their parents often warned them not to wander too deep it was on one such autumn evening when the air was crisp and the last of the light flickered through amber leaves that disaster struck a shout rose from a village square and then another by the time Imogen and Kieran reached the fountain half the town had gathered pointing toward the forest dark smoke curled above the trees thick and choking blowing red at its heart the woods are on fire someone cried gasps rippled through the crowd mothers clutched their children men ran to fetch buckets though the river was far and the flames already fierce then came the words that made Imogen's heart stop the children they were playing near the clearing a mother fell to her knees sobbing my son my son he's still in there Imogen's chest tightened she saw the flames licking higher saw villagers frozen in fear no one dared to run into that inferno no one but her i'll go she said stepping forward the crowd turned faces stared at her in disbelief Kieran grabbed her sleeve Imogen no you'll burn i have to she whispered her eyes lifted to the sky to the heavy clouds that had been gathering all day her heart raced but she raised her hands and spoke the words she had always whispered in secret come rain come now the air shivered a low rumble echoed overhead then as if the heavens had heard her call the sky split open and rain poured down drenching the earth steam hissed where the drops struck flame but the fire still roared fed by dry wood and fierce wind Imogen did not wait she dashed forward into the trees heat pressed against her skin smoke clawed at her lungs she coughed eyes stinging but she kept going where are you she shouted answer me faint cry reached her ears a child's voice trembling with fear Imogen pushed towards it weaving through flames until she reached a small clearing three children huddled beneath a fallen log faces streaked with soot eyes wide with terror come with me she urged we can't one sobbed it's too dark we can't see the way Imogen closed her eyes summoning light from the spark within her when she opened them glowing orbs floated from her palms drifting through the smoky air like lanterns they cast a warm golden glow illuminating a safe path through the burning forest the children gasped and clung to her as she led them step by step the rain calling their path the light guiding them forward at last they burst from the tree line into the open field the villagers rushed forward cheering weeping gathering the children into their arms Imogen stumble coughing soot streaking her face Kieran ran to her side steadying her you did it he breathed you saved them the crowd stared first at the children alive and safe then at Imogen the girl who had called rain from the sky and light from her hands whispers rose like wind it was her she has magic she blessed she cursed Imogen stood in the middle of it all chest heaving her secret no longer hidden Corvin standing at the back of the crowd narrowed his eyes a slow cruel smile tugged at his lips at last he murmured they'll see her for what she really is Chapter Five The night after the fire Alderwood did not sleep lanterns burned late in the square as villagers huddled together whispering about what they had seen some voices trembled with awe others with fear mothers who had their children safely home wept with gratitude while others crossed themselves nervously and muttered about unnatural powers at the center of it all was Imogen she sat quietly on the fountain's edge soot still smudged on her cheeks damp hair clinging to her shoulders Kieran sat beside her refusing to leave her side every now and then she caught the villagers glancing her way their gazes sliding quickly away when she met them by dawn council of Alderwood had called for a gathering the square filled with nearly every villager their faces pale and tense in the gray morning light old master Harlan the miller and head of the council stepped forward his beard was long and white his voice deep with age we have all seen what the girl can do he said rain from the heavens light in the dark healing where there should be none such things are not natural she saved our children cried one of the mothers clutching her little boy to her chest would you call that unnatural she could be dangerous muttered a man what if she brings disaster next fire instead of rain darkness instead of light she's a witch someone whispered we should send her away the crowd stirred uneasily Imogen's heart pounded in her chest her mouth felt dry but as the voices rose around her some in fear some in defense something inside her shifted she stood at first her voice was small but as she spoke it grew steadier like a flame catching hold i never asked for this gift she began i was born with it for years i kept it hidden because i was afraid afraid of what people might say afraid of what they might do but yesterday when i saw the fire i could not stand back and do nothing if i had stayed silent those children would not be here today her eyes swept the crowd some villagers met her gaze others looked away i am not here to harm you i do not want power or glory or fear i only want to help if i can ease suffering i will if i can bring hope where there is despair i will but i will not hide anymore square fell silent even the sparrows that nested on the rooftop seemed to pause from the back the mother of one of the rescued children stepped forward tears glistened in her eyes as she clasped Imogen's hands you are a blessing she said firmly anyone who says otherwise has forgotten what it means to be saved a few others murmured agreement but some still shifted uneasily their fear not easily erased old master harlan studied Imogen for a long moment then he nodded slowly away the girl has spoken truth we cannot deny her heart is pure still the choice is not mine alone it is for all of us to decide do we welcome her as one of our own or do we turn her away the crowd erupted again shouts of blessing clashing with mutters of danger kieran stepped forward standing by Imogen's side his voice though young rang clear when no one else cared Imogen gave me food when no one else dared she saved your children you can call her what you like but i call her my friend and i would rather stand with her than against her a boy's word struck the square like a bell slowly voices quieted no decision was made that morning but the tide was shifting some hearts leaned toward trust others toward fear but all eyes were fixed on Imogen and in the shadows at the edge of the crowd Rovan watched his jaw tight his hands curled into fists they may see her as a savior he muttered that i'll show them the truth