Cinder

Cinder was a gentle boy. He never did anything really wrong. Both of his parents loved him, but a sickness took away his father shortly after he was born. His mother cared for him like any mother could. They had enough money because of the father, but the mother worked hard everyday to show her son the results of hard work. Feeling lonely without a spouse, Mother married a poor man with poor qualities. He had two sons, Bear and Bull, they were very strong and in some ways handsome, but very stupid. The Stepfather hated Cinder and would jeer and slanderize him while Mother was at work. he never worked, he stayed home and made Cinder do all the chores, but Mother was Cinder's safe haven. Stepfather would never raise his voice near Mother. One early morning, Mother was found dead. The police thought it was suicide, working too much and Stepfather added the lies of Cinder, the trouble-maker. Cinder knew the truth though. It was murder for her money and custody. Stepfather, Bull, and Bear were very anxious to use up the money as fast as they could, squandering it on useless things. When they wanted more money, they would pawn Mother's things, much to Cinder's protest. Cinder was put to work, doing chore after chore with little or no food and barely any breaks. He slept with the dogs and if he raised his voice to complain, Stepfather would beat him down. Bear and Bull were just as bad, making it diffcult to finish his chores before Stepfather came home, jeering and snearing at him. Cinder never talked then on and never watned to. He was labeled a mute by neighbors and family. Nobody ever thought something was wrong because Cinder never told anyone. There was nobody to tell. He never opened his mouth unless to eat or spit out of the soap shoved in his mouth by his stepbrothers.1

At the age of sixteen, Cinder was lanky and somewhat short. His brothers towered over him. His skin was covered in mud and sometimes bruises but underneath, he had a gentle broze tint. His hair was messy and tangled, grown passed his ears in a wild brunette mess. His lips were a pale pink and never made any motion to move. He had a long slender neck and firm cheekbones; his eyes a gentle brown. Around his neck was a small locket he was able to savage from his stepfamily's pawning. A small picture of his mother and father and him when he was only a babe. He treasured it closely.2

One day, a letter came to the house, stamped with a royal seal. Stepfather ripped it opened with excitement in his movements and read it rapidly. He was more educated than his two sons combined. He ordered his two sons to come. Cinder was nearby, scrubbing the floor from Bear and Bull. The two sons came stomped in, getting more mud all over the floor Cinder said nothing and continued to scrub.3

"Well boys, soon we'll have more money than we can count." Stepfather said. The boys had puzzled expressions on their face.4

"Whatcha mean?" Bull asked.5

"We're all invited to the royal ball where the princess is going to pick one of my boys to be prince. We got compition though since everybody who's anybody will be there."6

"Even Cinder?" Bear asked.7

"Of course not, you twit, Cinder isn't anybody, he's nobody." Bull explained. They had a laugh over this, knowing that Cinder was listening.8

Over the pass week, the two boys prepared for the ball. They had their hair cut, tuxes bought, shoes cleaned, and bought exotic, expensive flowers to woo the princess. Cinder pondered of what should happen to him if one of the boys were picked by the princess. Would he be thrown out or become a slave in the castle? If marrying the princess would mean that he would get away from his Stepfather, he would be already be out the door.9

The night of the ball came and the stepbrothers were very anxious, but seemed confident in their ability to win the princess. It actually became a contest and bets were on the line. They were so sure that one of them were going to be picked. Stepfather was ready as well with his new shoes, new tux, and new wig. He was about as handsome as his two sons who where both very handsome for such cruel people. Stepfather gave Cinder a list of things to do while they were gone and he expected him to finish before midnight, which is the time they would return. Cinder nodded in respons and his Stepfather, along with his stepbrothers, left, leaving Cinder all alone.10

Cinder finished up all his chores rather quickly. It was too early to sleep so he dreamed of the ball. The delicious food, the new faces, and the princess. He had never seen her in person but heard wonderful tales of her beauty and kindness. She was stubborn though and demanded to be able to pick whoever she wanted to marry, instead of her father choosing for her. He could go but he didn't have a tux, only the ugly hand-me-downs from Bear and Bull. He couldn't go to a fancy ball like that in rags so he just dreamed. Numerous times he htought about going to the attic or his Stepfather's room and one he did but all were locked. He flopped back into the kitchen chair and waited until he fell asleep.11

A little light hovered above him, startling Cinder from his sleep. He thought for a moment he was dreaming. the little light called out his name.12

"Yo, Cinder, you're going to that ball!" the light cried. Cinder's face twisted in confused. The light grew to a small child, about eight years old. "I'm your fairy godsister and I'm here to get you to that ball." She motioned Cinder to stand up and made Cinder bend down to her height. She tapped him on the nose with her plastic star with the glittering star on the top. Cinder was covered in glitter then in a brillant navy blue tux. His bare feet were covered with shiny, comfortable shoes. His hair was washed and pulled back in a tiny ponytail. All the dirt was instatly washed away.13

"Now go to the ball. You have to walk there cause I'm still learning how to use thing thing so hurry up and remember to be back at midnight or your Stepfather will have your head." the little girl ordered then disappeared. Cinder stood there, blinking, then reganed reality and took a horse from a nearby stable and galloped towards the castle with all his might.14

He arrived, excited and a little anxious he might be spotted by Stepfather. The mammoth double doors were blocked by guards in armor. Cinder stepped forward, cautiously. The guard asked for invitation but Cinder had to shake his head and leave. His dreams were shattered in that single moment. He should have known better. He didn't want to go back to the empty house of pain and suffering so he just wandered. He ened up in the royal garden, watching the people dance on the inside, each poor person dressed up as a million dollars. Cinder sat on a nearby bench, staring at the flowers and dancers. A young girl with bright blond hair and a giant puffy dress, sparkled in the moonlight.15

"Hello there." The girl greeted. Cinder nodded aknowlegment. Idle chit-chat passed between them and the girl discovered he was mute. Cinder couldn't figure out if he couldn't speak because he couldn't remember or because he was in awe of this girl. She spoke to him kindly and Cinder nodded or shook his head in different opinions. The girl made Cinder dance with her and they danced for hours for what seemed like, to Cinder, only seconds in her gaze. 16

The bell began to toll midnight. A horrific expression fell on Cinder's face. He broke apart from the girl's grasp. He began to dash away but the girl stepped in front of him. He guestered wildly at her but she didn't understand. He took off his locket and handed it to her, making a slient promise as he rode back to his house.17

He was able to curl in a little ball by the fireplace, with his clothes burried in the backyard, when his stepfather returned, furious.18

"That damn girl was gone the whole time!" He cursed, followed by his two equally annoyed sons. Stepfather kicked Cinder in the ribs just for spite then retired to bed.19

Cinder couldn't stop thinking about the girl. He wished he could have said something, anything. He remmebered the promise he gave to her and vowed he would see her, one way or another. 20

The next day was usual for Cinder. A kick in the ribs for his wake-up call, the daily shouts and chores, the daily scrubs but Cinder couldn't stop thinking about the girl. She was so beautiful, a model for angels. He had no idea where she came from or how he was going to see her again. There was a sudden knock on the door and before Cinder could answer it, Stepfather knocked him away and ordered him to fetch his two stepbrothers. Cinder obeyed. Bear and Bull went into the parlor where the unsuspected guest arrived. It was the priness and a few guards and her father's advisors. She told Stepfather she was searching every house for her new husband, a mute boy she met in the gardens. Stepfather quickly excused himself into the dinning room where Cinder watched. He grabbed Cinder and forced him to the attic, whispering sneers and curses. He shut the door behind him and locked it and joined back to his guest with a smile.21

Cinder banged against the door as hard as he could but the door was solid and would not budge. He had to get out of there, to see her again. He searched for another way out. He glanced at a small window, just big enough for him to fit through, thank goodness for his tiny body. He wiggled through and landed in a giant bush of thorns. He forced himself out, plucking the horns from his body. He burst through the door, just as the princess was about to leave. The princess laid her eyes upon the dirty, bleeding, small, thin boy and gave him and giant hug and a gentle kiss for she knew this was the boy she remembered. After the gentle kiss, Cinder opened his mouth.22

"Told you I would be back." he said to the princess.23

They were wed shortly afterwards and Stepfather, Bear, and Bull were forced into labor at the castle by order of Prince Madia (Cinder's real name). Then they lifted happily ever after except for the stepfather and stepbrothers.24

The End25