Chapter 2:

Past the Barriers that Imprison the Mind

Window: Forwards


 Even though Mori knew that she had to somehow leave the orphanage, she had no way to go about it. She was only ten, how was someone as young as her have the ability to escape on a whim from a secured area like an orphanage? Not only that but there was no telling what would happen to her after she left. Where would she go? How would she find shelter? Where would she get money and enough sustenance to keep going on her journey? There were too many questions that had no answers so until then she had to find a way to answer all of them before she left. Mori wanted to leave as soon as possible but this was the only way for her to properly find what she’s looking for. The day grew short and despite all of the tactics she came up with, the sky grew darker without any progress.

 “Mori!! MORIIIIIIII!” A loud voice came from the doorway of her room. It was a small girl about the same age and liked to talk with her. This girl’s name was Niran, relatively new to the orphanage Niran didn’t treat her as an outcast like the others.

 “What is it Niran? I’m thinking about things…” Mori responded she wanted time alone to sort out her thoughts.

 Niran noticed this and apologetically replies, “Sorry about that! All the parents are calling us to supper.” It was time for them to eat. However, Mori had a sudden idea.

 “Tell them I don’t feel good and that I’m sleeping early.”

 “E-Eh? You sure?”

 Mori nodded and hid under the covers of her bed and pretended to be tired. “Alright then… Take care.” With that Niran closed the door and left.

 With a sigh, Mori stayed under the sheets of her plain, white bed and stayed still in the quiet of her room. She waited for the voice to ring in her ears.

You are awake

I know you are

You are starting to understand

Your journey must start

There it was, the mysterious voice she kept hearing. Except… It said something different. It wasn’t the normal message she’d hear at night. Slowly and carefully, Mori pulled the sheets she was under. As she did so, a green glowing light appeared in her peripheral vision. “AHHH-” Mori in screamed in shock but quickly covered her mouth so that nobody else heard. This thing, this light, it was different from the other times she’s encountered it before. The one she had seen before now was a blue-ish purple but the one in front of her was forest green. Although scared, she knew that this was her moment to ask what she needed to know.

 “You’re the one who keeps saying things to me at night and making me look like a fool here in the orphanage. What are you? What are you doing here? Why only me? Why should I listen to you? A journey? You’re crazy.”

Oh my, you ask a lot of questions

 “That’s right and I demand answers.” The strange glowing light floats closer to Mori as she gets a better look. It moved like a swift fish swimming in an ocean.

Alright fine

You deserve answers

I am a Spirit Fish, I lead those who are trapped into a reality that’s open

I am here because you are trapped

You aren’t the only one

Choosing to listen to me is through your own volition

Your journey shall free you

Mori looked at the spirit fish as it moved gracefully around her room. It had answered her questions but all it did was leave her with even more. She was trapped, was it talking about living here in the orphanage? It will set her free? She isn’t the only one who can see that thing? Mori had to know more. She knew that by living at an orphanage she was limited in resources but it was her form of shelter, not a prison. She is still able to do a lot of things like go outside with the other kids from time to time. The thing is, everyone she asked said they couldn’t see anything when she’d point out the spirit fish. “What do you mean I’m trapped, because of this orphanage? This isn’t a prison, I can manage. Who else can see you? No one else here seems to be able to see you or hear your voice.” The spirit fish once again came closer to Mori and stayed on top of her head.

More questions will create more questions

You are trapped between its walls

They are blocking your potential

There are others like you

They are trapped just like you and seek the same thing as you

However, they are far from you

You must go and you will all find what you are looking for

The mind will be opened

 Mori sighed. This answered her questions but it was too much to take all at once and as it said, more questions surfaced. A wave of tiredness overcame her as she thought about it more and more. These walls were trapping her potential it said. She had none she thought. The bare walls that make up her room have been all around her for most of her life. Each day, it was the thing that greeted her in the morning along with the sunrise and it was also the last thing she’d see before she fell asleep. It was a part of her daily motions to stare into the walls in thought but were they trapping them all this time? At this point, Mori was starting to fall asleep. The spirit fish watched as Mori fell deeper and deeper into her own sense of thought. More people like herself, a journey, freedom, potential, and walls. There was so much to comprehend for such a young person.

Keep at it

Keep thinking

Your mind is what makes you unique

Don’t let these walls take that opportunity of even more knowledge from you

Goodnight

Follow it

 And just like that, the spirit fish laid beside Mori on her bed and glowed a warm hue. For the first time in years, Mori fell into a peaceful slumber and dreamt about a life far away from the orphanage with people similar to her. Laughing, smiling and searching with them like family while mending that part of herself that has been gone for so long.



[Author's Note]
Thank you for reading this chapter! From here on out, I will be updating this novel to the best of my ability throughout each month. Just know that there is no solid update schedule planned due to unexpected life events and continuing my education. Despite this, I hope on keeping this story alive and so hopefully you all enjoy it. Found an error or have some feedback for me? Don't be afraid to let me know as it will help me improve as a writer!

Window: Forwards


Naji
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