Aftermath
Laylah sat on her bed and stared at the wall. Absently, she ran her fingers down the dagger in her lap. She had found it inside her locker at the academy covered in ordinary brown wrapping paper with a small envelope attached. She was still trying to work up the courage to open the envelope. Writing on paper was rare and expensive and she couldn't think of anyone immediately that would use something like that for her.
Only a month ago, her reality had shattered and changed. She was still trying to cope. No one in the house talked about her kidnapping. If she did mention it, the conversation was redirected to safer topics. Strangest of all was the switch in her father. No longer was he giving her the cold shoulder. He wasn't overly warm, but he wasn't constantly demeaning her either.
It still didn't feel true. She caressed the envelope. Dare she open it? Or was she going to get another nasty surprise?
Curiosity won and she tore the flap in her impatience. Inside was a slip of paper that slid easily into the palm of her hand. She felt her heart race as did her thoughts.
"Here goes," she muttered and unfolded the letter. Laylah's hands clenched as she stared at the neatly written words before her.
"Free yourself from your gilded cage.
Seek the truth, little one, before your prison
becomes your grave."
Her gaze slid to the dagger. She clutched it to her chest, ignoring the bite of the blade into her flesh. Blood dripped from her hand. "Truth will be mine," she whispered, her eyes filling with tears.