Day 98 of 365 Days of Writing Prompts: Write about what a character locks up.
Shannon: “I thought you said she had her most prized possessions in this safe. This is just a bunch of crap,” Dean threw the mess of papers and envelopes back inside.
“I’m sorry. That’s what she always called them, and since she was always guarding the safe like her life depended on it I just assumed whatever was inside was valuable to more than just her. Are you sure it’s not a trick? Is she hiding something in any of the envelopes,” I grabbed for one and shook it. There was something inside so I carefully took it out, trying to tamper with the paper too much. Dean started to look through another envelope in a rush, “Careful,” I warned.
“Are you serious,” he narrowed his eyes. “We’re stealing from your friend.”
“Not if she doesn’t have anything good. She doesn’t have to know,” I argued.
“You’re such a chicken,” he shook his head, and started opening his at a snail’s pace to annoy me.
I unwrapped the letter inside the envelope to see something that looked vaguely familiar. It was beaded bracelet and two of the beads had words engraved on them. One said “best” and the other said “friends”. My name was on the sheet of paper. Suddenly the memory came to me. I made both of us our own bracelet and gave one of them to her when we were kids. I was so proud of it, and I was so happy when she used to wear it, and even happier that I had a friend. A tear fell from my eye, before I could stop it. I hadn’t even held on to my own over the years.
“I found a necklace. I think it’s made out of gold,” Dean cheered. “Whoa, are you ok?” He saw me wiping my face with the back of my hand.
“Put it back. Put everything back.”
Erin: There was one thing in Heather’s safe. I grabbed the paper out. It was a photograph of her as a child and an older woman. I could tell from their noses who she was. That was her real mom. Or biological mom, our mom was our real mom. As she was for me, I just didn’t know if Heather had put that picture in there to keep it secure from danger or prying eyes.
Unlock your character’s secret.
Pelky Sisters 
The silver chain was tarnished in places and twisted at the nape of her thin neck, but it had held strong for years, and would continue to do so for years to come. Hiding under the purple silk blouse she wore, was a strange pendant that hung over her chest like a second, beating, heart. She rarely noticed the calming object anymore; it was simply always there to comfort her when she needed it. But, while the media and public at large had attempted to decipher its importance to the prime minister, none could understand why she never took it off.
When asked about the sacred accessory she would just respond with a curt, jovial laugh and move on to the next topic. That disregard for the sanctity of reporter’s questions had many members of her cabinet on edge, some going so far as to guess at something nefarious being afoot with it. Conspiracy theorists debated terrestrial espionage and extraterrestrial involvement as well as dozens of completely crack-pot concepts. It was just a simple trinket that she loved, or was it something more?
One person in all the world, who had never dared to ask her what its significance was, knew of the secret the prime minister held within her. Since they were little girls, the leader and a cleaner at parliament had been the best of friends; a bond as carefully constructed and strong as that of sisters. She alone, knew the secret that was held within the pendant.
When the prime minister was a young girl, she spent more time with her grandmother than her parents and grew very close to her. On her deathbed, a family heirloom was passed down to the child, with the warning that it contained something so terrifying that it must be kept within eyeshot at all times. Being so small at the time, she broke apart the once-flimsy metal and released what was inside. After great struggle, the entity was, once again, trapped, straining against the metal cage. All the prime minister would let slide was that she had no memory of the contents; only that it was more horrifying than anyone’s imagination could conjure.
So, you see, there may be a secret beyond time within the intricate metal, but we shall never know. And she shall never tell the truth, lest she be branded a liar or spy or childish for believing something so ridiculous.
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Created to Write:
Nikki walks into the room, “August, give us a few minutes.”
August looks at her, then stands. He walks out of the room and Nikki takes the chair next to Heather. Both are silent for a moment.
“…You have a Bible in your room,” Nikki says softly. Heather doesn’t answer. “…Do you believe?”
“…I don’t know,” Heather answers quietly, “after… everything. …How can I?”
“…In a world so cruel, how can you not?”
Heather looks at Nikki. She’s smiling. “You…”
“I want to be here for you, Heather. Through our differences,” Nikki puts her hand on Heather’s gently. “But I know only He can help you heal.”
Heather tears up, “How can I believe that? Why would he let me go through all of this?”
Nikki doesn’t know the answer, so she stays quiet. Heather stares off in front of her, remembering her capture.
“…I was alone, Nikki. I couldn’t sense him, or feel him. Like he left me.”
“He has never left you, Heather,” Nikki implores gently.
Heather sniffs, wiping her eyes though they still tear up. She looks at Nikki, “Do they know?”
Nikki purses her lips, “…No.”
“Why don’t you tell them?”
“What would they think?” Nikki asks back.
Heather wants to ask what God would think of her actions, but doesn’t. She doesn’t have the right to question Nikki when she is doubting her faith. The girls are quiet for a minute more, then Nikki heads for the door.
She stops and looks over Heather’s shoulder, “I’ll tell August you’re too tired for school work.”
Heather wryly, ruefully, scoffs, “I am. He just won’t listen.”
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