When she found herself in a deep and melancholy pit, she cried out, sure that her prince would be riding by soon, ready to come to her aid. Her back ached and her nails split, and her clothes were torn to rags.

Again, she called out, but it only attracted predators and they circled the edge of the pit, biding their time. Surely, she thought, surely this is the time for my rescuer to come? And she shouted again until her voice was lost. This time her call brought a rain cloud and the pit began to fill with water.

There she was: in a hole too deep, with beasts licking their lips at its edge and the waters rising. She waited.

She waited until the water was up to her ankles and she gazed into the sky ready to welcome her rescuer when he arrived.

She waited until the water was up to her knees, and still he did not come.

She waited until the water was up to her waist and she sighed.

Her only choices were death, or a rescue, and no hero was going to come.

And so, the girl closed her eyes, and while the cloud poured ice-cold water down upon her, she imagined.

She imagined a story where the girl was able to calm the dragon and they were friends.

She imagined a story where the girl set her alarm clock and woke up without any great trouble.

She imagined a story where the high tower was her greatest haven, and she kept her hair short.

And, as she imagined, her back began to tickle, and then to itch, and then to burn and then to sear. She opened her eyes and looked around at the slick walls, up at the terrible creatures, and down at the rising flood. But she did not weep; she was no longer afraid. The girl shook her shoulders and two great black wings gave a satisfyingly deep crack. She breathed in and she knew without any doubt that the wings would hold her.

Up she rose, the wings a pulse, a throb of held-back power. Out of the water, out of the pit, past the beasts. Away she flew, beautiful black wings beating powerfully. Knowing more freedom in that one moment than she had felt in all her life.

Girl rescues girl. Girl flies. And when no one is watching, girl soars to the stars.

Chapter Forty-Eight

Chapter Forty-eight

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Keep going.

Never stop.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

For the rest of your life.

Can you hear me? I have no voice, not since the smoke.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

They say to just keep breathing – all I have to do is stay alive.

But that’s a lot. Can I just have a rest? Can I take a little break from breathing? It hurts. I’ll come back; just let me be quiet and still now.