The sea was the sky’s mirror. At least that’s what Scarlett Hughes believed. Millions of stars twinkled against its surface just as they would in a sky of pitch black. Cornflower hid whatever wonders were below, just as it did above. A line of tall buildings craned over the edge, growing more distant until their silhouettes were eventually swallowed by the sky’s haze.

Their reflections distorted eternally. The sea was frozen; all Scarlett longed to do was waltz across it. They closed their eyes and took a deep breath. Salt flooded their nose. Crashing ocean waves sang their own symphony. Seagulls chimed in like a chorus. The sun’s warmth lightly pressed on their neck.

Their eyes wandered back to the bay. Waves caressed the snow-like sand. Solitude soothed the storm raging deep in their soul. Days could pass and not even a thought of their problems would pop up in their mind. Their hands slid onto the marble railing. Warmth burnt through the thin gloves they wore.

“Scarlett?”

The sea’s tranquility busted as if someone had dropped a snow globe. The chatter of a bustling crowd sent the ocean’s rhythm flying even if it was behind walls. A man stepped out of the shade of a tree. The way the brim of his hat was tilted cast a grim shadow over his face. Relief flooded Scarlett at the sight of him. One more open door, one more key to freedom from the life Scarlett just couldn’t escape from.

He slid his elbow against the railing and leaned onto it. He wore wide and merry grin. “Sorry I’m late. I just got here.” His words were peppered by lightheartedness. Scarlett chuckled. A part of them wished they had shown up as late as he did.

“No worries, ‘Jack Bell’.” Scarlett replied calmly. “Was your trip pleasant?”

“Well, I couldn’t wait to get off, that’s for sure.”

The two shared a little chuckle. “I am happy to see that you made it either way, Jack.” Scarlett’s face lit up like a candle in the night. His shoulders relaxed as he looked out toward the sea.

“I wouldn’t be here if you didn’t have me.” His voice was uplifted by delight. “Anyway, the duke sent me out to find you.”

Scarlett smiled slightly. His gaze wandered to one of the flowers which bounced against the railing in the breeze. He reached down, plucking it without a fight. “Oh—“ Scarlett’s eyes widened a bit. Of course they’d forgotten. “Uhm.. the duke, he asked about your serials? Why they disappeared from the papers?”

“The duke wants to know?” Jack scoffed.

Scarlett nodded as Jack slid the flower behind their ear. “He has all the gold in the world and he cares for my serials..?” His gravelly voice flooded their ears again. This time, it was filled by disdain “God.. what does he see in them?”

“Well, you are a wonderful writer, Jack-”

“Scarlett. The last three were written at three in the morning after I binged more cups of coffee than I could count.”

“Well, they are still good.” Scarlett, with a raised brow, said rather harshly. “It just shows that you have brilliant potential.”

“Scarlett.. What am I to do with you?”

Scarlett’s brow raised a bit higher. Jack closed his eyes. A smile was still painted on his face as he took a deep breath. A few good seconds ticked by in the back on Scarlett’s mind. “Brilliant potential, eh?”

“Brilliant potential.”

“Anyway.. Are you liking France?”

Scarlett grit their teeth, their gaze hit the ground. “France is fine, Jack Bell.” They mumbled. Jack clicked his tongue. He gave a small shake of the head. The gloom in their voice was more than obvious, even if it was unintended.

“If you go back through Paris say hi to my parents, would you?” He said lazily.

“I will.” They reassured, patting him on the shoulder.

“I do have a genuine question for you though.

“What would that be?”

“Is this the life you want, Scarlett?” He seemed more curious than anything.

Scarlett tilted their head like a confused beagle puppy. “What do you mean, Jack?”

“What I said. I didn’t stutter, did I?”

“Oh, well.. yes…?” The only three words that popped into Scarlett’s head left their mouth.

“I respect that.”

“Are.. you not happy?”

Jack plucked another flower from the stem. A distant look grew in his eyes as he stared off into the oblivion in front of him. “Will a bird know the true happiness of flight if the bars of a cage are all it’s ever known?”

“You are very well traveled, Jack. You should settle down.”

“I’ve settled down, Scarlett.” His tone burnt with passionate fire. “But parading around with a bunch of rich folks isn’t going to make me as happy as it does you.”

“I cannot fight you there.”

Jack’s gaze wandered up to the sky. Scarlett’s did as well. Clouds just drifted by. The blue void had no end. Just its grand sight swept away any trace of worry they had.

“Scarlett.. sitting back and writing serial after serial just won’t cut it for me.” Jack sighed, staring at the ground with intent. “I thought it was my cradle of joy after so many years.. but I believe I’m wrong.”

“I understand, Jack-”

Scarlett jolted upright. Their heart pounded at their ribs. They clenched the blanket. Their knuckles were dyed porcelain. Breath after breath spilled out like a shallow tide. Their widened eyes pierced into the blanket of darkness in front of them. Silence. Complete and utter silence. They sighed. Both relief and utter misery poured into their breath.

“Scarlett.. are you alright?” A soft but exhausted voice cooed from beside them.

“It was just that memory again.”

The mattress crunched. Warmth overwhelmed their distress as two arms slid around their shoulders. Scarlett closed their eyes. Peace. “It’s been years, Scarlett… it’s time to let go. She groaned, holding them a bit tighter.

“His own wedding, Our wedding,” Frustration ate every word. “And hell.. the birth of his own son!”

“Scarlett.. please calm down.”

Scarlett stared into the shadows in front of them. Not a single one shifted or twitched. The serenity hushed their nerves like a breath to a lit candle. Scarlett sighed deeply. Crisp air flooded their lungs. “We should go back to sleep, Eleanore.” They murmured.

“Get some rest.”

“I will.”

Scarlett laid down, their emotions fell as still as the silt in a lake bed. The bed embraced them like an old friend they hadn’t seen in ages. Shadows swallowed the still ceiling. However, their eyes were glued open. Wide open.

“Will a bird know the true happiness of flight if the bars of a cage are all it’s ever known?”