Syren vs. “The One” Kirsten Scott

[TheOne]

{FREEDOM: Chapter One}

Freedom... What is freedom?  How would we each define it to another person from another culture?  Hell, how would we define it to our neighbor?  In today's world, freedom is something we all take for granted and try to weaponize in ways we feel is "right."  But do we actually appreciate what we have?  Do we actually KNOW what we have?

I think I can simplify that answer in one word... No...

For years, four individuals lived lives where, yes, they had their respective freedoms by definition.  But at the same time, each person had their freedoms completely infringed upon by outside forces, leaving the question, "were they ever free at all?"  And the truth, again, can be summed up in one word... No...

Hailey and I were imprisoned by our families, forced to live lives that contained secrets our young souls should never be asked to bear.  As we grew and learned, we were imprisoned by the fear of retribution against us, should we ever violate a litany of rules put upon us unfairly, compared to those who weren't in our position.  And then when it came to being "The One," each of us, in our own way, had to suffer the wrath of what the grim truth is about being given that kind of power and authority, or being faced with its wrath.

We weren't alone, though... I said there were four individuals...

Emma and Ethan Taylor... An older brother and younger sister combo, who were literally imprisoned by their family, forced to live in the shadows, and if ever shown the light of day, be hidden from the view of others.  Ethan was forced to watch his sister be treated as an object, abused by their parents, and was powerless to fight back.  He was squandered away in a building, given the means to live, and expected to stay silent for eternity.  Emma was abused physically and emotionally, putting her in positions a young girl should never be put in.  Drugged, manipulated, told she was born with powers that defy science and any reality that has been proven to exist.  She was treated as a pawn in a game by her own parents, so they could be the ones to succeed, regardless of the lasting effects on their young children.

But here we are.  Four individuals who have finally shed the shackles that have bound us to an evil that has thankfully been squashed from the top down.  Four individuals who now have no set path or ordered rules to follow, and yet, still wonder how "free" we are.

Personally, my head remains on a swivel.  Not because I actually believe something will happen, but because it has been beaten into my soul that someone, somewhere, is waiting and watching, wanting to attack.  It's a "spider sense" that I wish I could just brush off, like the feeling of a fly landing on your arm.  It doesn't ever leave, but instead remains as a reminder to me that I faced, endured, and honestly, embodied, an evil that nobody should ever wish for.  And I honestly worry if that feeling will make me, again, a prisoner.  Not to another person.  Not to a set of rules.  But to my own thoughts and paranoia.  If that is the case, I will need to realize what I may perceive as "freedom" isn't quite there yet.  I may have to look to others to help guide me through periods of darkness and evil that still may lie dormant inside the monster that was created by anger, and fueled by greed.

I will welcome that help, when it comes...

I have surrounded myself with people who care, now.  I have surrounded them with someone who cares for each of them, in myself, as well.  These three people may not be the definition of "freedom" in its purest form, but the one thing it embodies is something bigger, that I couldn't have ever dreamed I would find in three strangers... And that's FAMILY...

The rivers of the Midwest create a serene scene for where the unlikely foursome of Kirsten Scott, Ethan and Emma Taylor. and Hailey Brooks currently reside under the setting of the late Summer sun.  But it is a location that gives the group a feeling of peacefulness and, as mentioned, serenity, based on the recent events that have shaken them all to their core.

On the banks of the river itself, Emma, also known at times colloquially as, The Oracle, is knee deep in the waters, splashing around like a young girl, while her brother walks along the same banks, picking up rocks, and skipping them in her opposite direction.  The simplicity of the brother-sister combination's enjoyment is something that cannot be ignored, while roughly 20 feet away, on a park bench, sit the other two members of the group, Hailey and Kirsten.

The two on the bench sit, looking at the two younger siblings enjoying themselves, in almost an older sibling, older cousin, guardian role, while also simply relaxing in the sounds of what nature brings around them.  This area is not isolated, and random people pass by, running, walking their pets, and enjoying their own day out along the river on a day that is not sweltering with heat.  After some time of just enjoying their surroundings, Hailey takes another moment to just watch the two near the water, and comments to Kirsten as to what feelings it brings to her.

Hailey Brooks: That's fucking PURE, isn't it?

Kirsten, looks over, having been stunned by the break in the lack of conversation.

Kirsten Scott: What are we talking about?

Hailey raises her head, using her chin to point in the direction of Emma and Ethan.

Hailey Brooks: Those two... Their joy... Their happiness... It's just... Pure... It's not being faked or fabricated.  They aren't down there pretending to enjoy themselves... It's just... Real... You know?

Kirsten Scott: It is... They've been cooped up for so long, they finally have a chance to just feel what it's like to be able to do whatever they want, you know?

Hailey Brooks: Exactly... And it really is all because of you, you realize that?  I know we've had our little "come together" moment, but you do realize how influential you were, right?  These two get something they have never felt before, or at least never remember feeling.  They get to have fun.  They get to just goof the fuck off.  They have this chance to be themselves, which nobody has given them before.

Kirsten brushes the praise off.

Kirsten Scott: I'm sorry, you don't act like you didn't have a part in this.  You were smart enough to realize we had to attack this at two different angles.  You went against what I thought in a way that I actually realize was RIGHT.  And it was all YOU!  Not me... Not us... YOU!  You're not someone who doesn'r get recognition for this all being a "Brady Bunch" scenario in front of our eyes...

Hailey chuckles.

Hailey Brooks: So am I Missus or Mister Brady?

Kirsten can't wait to chime in.

Kirsten Scott: Fuck that, you're Alice, at BEST!

Hailey laughs.

Hailey Brooks: Fuck you, then I guess you're Sam the Butcher!

Kirsten laughs as well.

Kirsten Scott: But seriously... What you did was ballsy.  You realized and got wind of the bigger picture before me.  You ran with it like I would have, and you were right not to tell me.  You made sure we were both safe in the process.  You made sure THOSE TWO were safe, ultimately.  You embodied that nickname as much as I did!

Hailey Brooks: Fuck that name... It doesn't mean anything to me...

Kirsten Scott: It does to both of us, Hailey... We can't bullshit one another about it.  You and I were BOTH meant to hold the title.  Just because we finally get to be ourselves, doesn't mean we can't embody what we both saw it as, and make it something RIGHT.  We don't have to hide from it.  We BOTH can embrace it in our lives.  Why?  Because we both embodied it when the time was right, doing what the ultimate goal was, which was to protect that young girl, who now has the chance to do whatever she wants, including digging her feet into the mud of the river water, and kicking it into the air like an absolute child.

We gave this girl her childhood back... Don't you get that?  And we did it because that was part of what we were told to do...

Hailey Brooks: Yeah but... It just doesn't feel right to even want that stigma anymore...

Kirsten Scott: And I get that.  I was like that at first.  I wanted to shed it like a snake sheds dead skin, but then I thought about it, and I think about it now, look where it's brought us.  Look at this.  Look at us.  It was something that led us down a path that none of us experienced, and now, for once, we can sit here and just relax and watch two people, who we helped, just see the world for the first time.

Hailey Brooks: Eh... I hate when you have a point...

Kirsten Scott: That's because I'm younger and you're supposed to be the wise one...

Hailey Brooks: Saying I'm not?

Kirsten Scott: Nah... Saying she is, though... She just doesn't realize it, and I'm not going to tell her.  She deserves to know her own powers on her own.

Hailey chuckles.

Hailey Brooks: You REALLY think she can have visions like that?

Kirsten Scott: I do...

Kirsten looks over at Hailey.

Kirsten Scott: ... The girl knew my actual name.  I never told ANYONE and for those who knew it from school never knew who I was because I sat in the back and just raised my hand for roll call.  Hell you didn't even know my name.  But yet...

Kirsten looks back at the siblings.

Kirsten Scott: ... She did... And she gave me it back in a way nobody ever had.  She gave it to me in a way that made Kirsten Scott a name that wasn't synonymous with the "weird kid," or the "loner," but as someone who was actually SOMEONE in life.  My parents couldn't even do that for me...

Hailey looks down, and back up.

Hailey Brooks: So question... Why didn't you ever tell me your name?

Kirsten smirks.

Kirsten Scott: Because that person didn't exist in anyone's world, not even my own.  I was "The One," that was all I was and who I was to anyone and everyone.  I didn't even think of myself as Kirsten Scott.  She literally didn't exist.  At least I didn't think she did.  But I guess I was wrong.  One young girl somehow saw me for me and I saw her for her.

Hailey Brooks: I guess I can understand that... You just never struck me as a Kirsten ha ha!  More of a Maude, or Fran...

Kirsten Scott: For fuck's sake you're the older one and you're saying I should be named that?

Hailey Brooks: Well those old names are coming back, and the younger generation is getting them... So who knows?!

The two chuckle and go back to just enjoying their surroundings for a period of time.  There is a silence between the two, not at all tense or awkward, just calm.  And after what seems like a lengthy period of that silence, Hailey breaks it.

Hailey Brooks: So million dollar question... Where do we all go from here?

Apparently this was said loud enough to be heard by Emma, who is still splashing around in the water, but is quick to respond.

Emma Taylor: WE GO WHERE ARE MEANT TO GO!  THAT'S WHERE!

Hailey and Kirsten both go to reply, and realize the philosophical nature of what Emma said.  They are surprised how deep the comment made them think, and Kirsten just nods.

Kirsten Scott: I guess that sounds like as good of a place as anywhere, you think?

Hailey Brooks: Can't really argue with The Oracle sometimes, can we?

Kirsten Scott: Shall we go join the "kids" there, "Alice?"

Hailey Brooks: Guess so "Sam..."

The two stand up from the bench and go down to the banks where Emma and Ethan are enjoying their fresh air and newly found freedom.  Hailey and Kirsten walk around the banks themselves, occassionally joining in the rock skipping, and getting the occasional dousing of water from Emma.  It's a much needed moment for all as they get ready for a new phase of life where they aren't hiding, they aren't running, and they aren't always looking over their shoulder.  It's a breath of fresh air that they have all needed for some time, and for once, they can actually do as the cliche says and stop and smell the roses.