Cinderella Is Dead

by Kalynn Bayron

“Don’t you want me to be happy? Isn’t that what matters most?” In the brief moment before her answer, I imagine she’ll say yes and tell me I don’t have to go. I think of what it would feel like to have her on my side. “No.” My mother lets go of my hand. Bitter disappointment envelops me. “What matters is that you are safe. That we follow the laws. They are clear as day. Right there.”

“I know what it’s like to feel as if everyone wants you to be something you’re not.”

“Neither have I, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened. We’ve also rarely heard about people like us and yet here we are. Just because they deny us doesn’t mean we cease to exist.”

“Lay a hand on you? I wouldn’t dare.” The person reaches up and pulls their hood back. A shock of lush reddish curls frames their face. It’s a young woman. She tilts her head to the side, looking me over. “Not unless you wanted me to.”

“Why are you dressed like that?” I ask. She looks lovely, but I’ve never seen a woman wear pants and a tunic before. “The pockets,” she says. She puts her hands in them and gives a little twirl. “I love pockets.”

“People are so afraid that they would rather stay quiet than say or do anything.” As

“The palace underestimates the resourcefulness of women forced into a dark and dangerous place.”

Erin shakes her head. “This place will break you if you stay. If you can escape, you should. Please, Sophia, please go.”

“If my life could serve a purpose,” the woman begins, raising her head a little and looking directly at the king, “then let this be it. I would die to give even just one person the chance to be free from you.”

The corner of Constance’s mouth twitches. “That you try to flatter me when I have a blade at your neck makes me want to slit your throat and spare the world your ignorance.”

“When the leader of this kingdom treats women as property, it sets an awful precedent. People think it’s okay to do the same.”

Just because you don’t believe it doesn’t mean it can’t be true.”

“I won’t give him the chance to use me like that,” I say. “I would die first.” Amina turns to me, sadness in her eyes. “Please don’t say that. Because you very well might.”

“Nudity is optional,” says Amina. “But from what I can tell, we all have the same bits and pieces. And even if you don’t, there’s nothing to be ashamed of, dearie. I’ve seen my fair share of tallywhackers as well.”

“Promise me something,” Constance says. “Anything.” “Promise that you will come back to me.” Constance wipes tears from her eyes. “If you tell me you’ll come back, I’ll believe you.” I press my forehead against hers and close my eyes. “I promise that I’ll do everything I can to come back to you.” That’s all I can say without lying to her.

“Wait a damn minute!” Amina’s voice comes out of the little man. “It’s me, you fool!” Constance’s eyes grow wide, and she holsters her dagger. “Maybe give us some warning next time?” “Maybe don’t try to stab every man you see,” Amina shoots back. Constance looks to me and shrugs. “It’s a habit.”

“You may rule this land,” I say, pushing down the swell of terror that threatens to consume me. “But you do not rule me.”