Never go over the wall.
The commander's order echoed in Elina's head as she studied the wall.
This was her favourite thing to do. It was part of the history of her people. It was built around their homes and kept them safe, but to Elina, it was a cage.
"You're caging me in." She muttered to the wall. A group of boys walked past her and heard her speak. They muttered to themselves about her talking to the wall but she paid no attention to them. If they tried to bully her, she'd take them down.
She knew it. They knew it, so they could only gossip.
"What secrets are you hiding on this other side?" She touched the wall. It was cold and comforting. For years she had studied the wall, she knew every inch of it. She even knew where to place her legs to escape.
"Who's on the other side? Hmm? Tell me." She spoke softly to it like it was human. She pressed her ears to it, closed her eyes and listened.
"I hear footsteps. Faint music. It may be people." She sighed. She pressed a kiss on the wall and walked back home.
She met her mother at the doorstep. One look at her face told her there was trouble.
"Okay. Who reported me?"
"Elina!" Her mother frowned. Elina looked at her. She was dressed in military uniform, like every woman in their town.
Her thin black hair was pulled into a bun and she looked exactly like her mother on a good day.
A really good soldier.
"You have to stop going near the wall. It's a barrier for a reason."
"I can defend myself." Elina shrugged.
"It doesn't matter. I'm taking your knives." She glanced at her daughter.
"All of them."
It's tonight. The thought made her wake up. Elina got down from her bed and tiptoed to the window.
"Tonight you tell me your secrets." She whispered to the wall in the distance.
She picked up her bag where her military garb and weapons were and tiptoed out of her house.
As she got out, she let out a sigh. "I did it right this time." She glanced behind her to check for signs of her mother following her and saw none.
She walked to the part of the wall close to her house.
"This is where we begin." She began to climb. It was a smooth climb for her. She had spent years of her life practising to climb this specific portion of the wall and it came easy to her. But for some reason, she always stopped when she was close to the top.
"But not tonight." She climbed till she could hold the top part of the wall. She widened her legs and put one of them on one side and the other on the other side. Then she put the two legs on one side, closed her eyes and slid down.
She landed on her butt.
When she opened her eyes she saw herself in a strange land.
People moved about even though it was late in the night and they dressed differently. They wore stylish versions of the gowns the ladies on her side of her wall used to sleep in.
"Wow. This is amazing."
"You don't belong here." A voice said beside her. She whipped her head in the direction of the voice and took a step back.
"I didn't hear you walk to me."
"You don't belong here." The man repeated. His eyes locked on hers, not like a threat, but self-assured. Something sparkled in his eyes that terrified her. She didn't say a word.
"You're dressed like one of us." He nodded to her gown. "But you're not. What's in there?" He reached for her bag. She pulled it out of his reach.
He only smiled and took a step back.
"You can't search my bag." Elina jutted her chin and made eye contact with him. He snorted.
"I see you. I see through you. You liar." She winced. It stung a little.
"I also saw you sliding down the wall. You should go back."
She sighed. She was caught.
"Who are you people?"
"We're your neighbours."
"Why is there a wall between us then?" He glanced at her. "Don't you know the history of your people?"
"I do. But why is there a wall? Tell me the story from your people's perspective." She pressed.
He sighed. "This is going to sound dumb but it's because of noise."
"Noise?"
"Yes, noise. Your people were always celebrating. There was too much noise and we couldn't cope. It caused a lot of fights and both sides decided to build the wall to reduce tension." He shrugged.
"You have to go now. We don't like strangers."
"Wait-" He pushed her through a hole in the wall that was covered with plants and wires.
"What is this hole?"
"This is what lovers use." He said and pushed her back to her side of the wall.
What do you think about my story, your comment is greatly appreciated 🤗🤗.
Here's my entry to the inkwell monthly prompt September edition
