Caged Bird

Chapter 1

Deals With Demons

"Tell me a secret and I may just let you go."

Those were the words that man told me before abandoning me in this prison; A literal hell, Some nights you can even hear the cries of those dying. So pitiful, they are; to plead for help from one like myself. It's all because they told him a secret. He'll suck your soul dry if you do. Even if you hold in your secrets, he'll still get rid of you; only, in another way. It's how his 'kind' survive: off of others' suffering souls. I believe it brings him joy-joy that could never amount any others'-to see one cry.

Of course, everyone has their own ideals of him. One girl I met believed he loved her. So pure and young she was. All bliss and ignorance in the shell of a beautiful girl. When the man came for her she fell right in love, and spoke of each and every secret.

She now lays next to his chair like a love sick puppy; an invisible chain tied around her small neck, keeping her in place, thorns prodding whenever her mind comes to control. It's, of course his favorite thing to do: command the ones around him, and all he needs is a secret to do so. The moment he captures your secret, that invisible collar comes upon you and is tightened like a noose. With this noose, he can follow you wherever you go; like that one nightmare you want to just go away.

It's almost my turn to meet with him; my weekly dose of chitter chatter with the devil. I'm a lost cause and he knows it. Yet, he won't kill me. Only force me in a dark corner to forever look out a barred window, at the freedom I will never see again. It's unfair how he could kill any girl who goes against his will...besides me. Just like a sadist, to let me suffer in the empty, dark room. He's always asked me to tell him a secret; caressing my cheek as if to soothe me. My answer's the same though: silence.

I'd rather die than become one of his emotionless slaves, doing all that he orders of them. Though in all honesty, I already have lost most of my emotions. What's happiness in a place with no light? My smile can make no dent if no one can ever see it. Whose heart will that lift?

"Janet says he's coming for you tomorrow." Came an airy voice from within the pitch black area around me, followed by the shuffles and clacking of chains on the gravel floor. A dirt laced child came into view, red curls sticking to her sweaty face in a wild way.

"Thank you Lacey." I replied with a recorded voice, ignoring her presence, as all it did was create guilt. She'll be dead in a day. It's what happens when you speak to me. The man comes for you and rips you to pieces for speaking to his 'prized possession'. The longest it has ever been to kill my 'friends' was a week; only because she hid behind others when they came for her. Glancing to my side, I watched Lacey pout, then turn and shuffle off with one huff of breath. From her interactions, it's obvious she still has energy. To bad that peppy girl will soon be gone. It's almost a shame, though not quite.

It really is a wonder though, as to why he rids of any who hear my voice. Could it be jealousy? For I've not once allowed him the satisfaction to hear my voice truly. My putrid, soft, melodic voice.

"So, he's coming tomorrow?" A teasing voice asked, a light giggle following behind. "How fun! Won't you tell him of us?" A pale girl begged, swaying on the tips of her feet, a cheshire smile plastered on her perfect face.

Shaking my head, I looked away. It would be no good to give her attention. She'll only cause me problems. "Awww, you're no fun!" She whined, stomping her feet onto the gravel, the clack of her heels echoing through the room. Though not one head turned to quiet us. "Why won't you tell him?" she asked, hovering over me, her blue eyes prodding me to answer. To my own stupidity, I turned toward her, bringing my eyes upon her own.

There she stood before me: sky blue eyes, large in wonder and expectancy; dirty brown hair framing her bold face. "Well, why won't you?" She asked, yet again, forcing her face right up to my own, her cool breath enveloping my face with that of the smell of cinnamon. Biting my lip, I nervously shook my head. I couldn't answer. It would only cause more complications. It's bad enough she only talks to me. It'll only become worse if I reply.

"C'mon. Why won't you tell him?" She prodded, poking my cheek with her cool, cool fingers; creating that of a shiver up my spine with the odd tingly feeling. Avoiding eye contact I tried to ignore her, in hopes that she would leave. For a few seconds, it felt like I may have won, for the room was silent. Though her body still swayed in front of me.

"Why won't you talk to me?" She asks, her voice at a more placid temper. My fist tightened at this question. She knows just damn well why I stopped talking to her. "We used to spout of many secrets, remember? You would play with me and smile, even when upset. You even laughed! Now you do neither...All silent and boring."

Shaking my head with new found strength, I gleamed up at her. "Go away." I mutter, my voice brisk and placid; not even higher than a whisper. "I won't talk to you." Twisting her head in confusion, she stepped back.

"Why not? You never were upset before when I talked to you..." Her voice was back to the loud whine she'd developed. Her hand placed nicely under her chin as she thought over my words, feet no longer touching the ground, like a floating genie. "Are you just tired today?" She questioned swimming through the air. Ignoring my annoyed face, eyebrows furrowed in anger.

"I Could always come back later...Not that I will. I'd get in trouble if I did that." She stated, more to herself than me. Her voice quiet as for me not to hear. She'd always use that excuse when I wanted her gone. It never made sense, but when I asked all she'd ever say was that her 'boss' didn't want me left with that man; not that it changed anything. All she ever did was sit behind me and prod me to speak of her. She's always wanted people to know of her. After all being non-existent must hurt.

"Oh, I know! I'll sing you that song. You know, the one that helps you sleep. Then you can take a nap, and when you wake up, you'll feel aaallll better. Then we can have a chat!" She exclaimed, nearing me yet again, wafts of cinnamon entering my nose, yet again. The cheshire smile was once again upon her face, hinting at satisfactory.

"I'm not tired." I retorted, shuffling to a comfortable position on the cold tile. Her smile staggers for a second before she giggles.

"Of course you are! Just look at your droopy eyes and your tense body! You're just asking for a nap!" She stated, pointing at my eyes with one of her long red fingers. "But no worries your Best friend is here to sing you a lullaby!" She grinned, jumping in circles before stopping in front of me, yet again. Placing her hands on my shoulders and giving me an exasperated look. "Lay down and get ready for the best lullaby ever!"

Her hands forcefully pulled me to the ground, ignoring my many protests. Sighing, I let my head bump into the gravel, little bits of sand likely sticking to my head. "Make it quick then." I murmured, giving her a sharp glare before closing my eyes. The girl made a squeal, quietly murmuring of her luck. Then with a loud cough, changed to a serious pose.

"Till the day we meet in this frozen world,

Sleep within the clouds,

Walk with the liars,

Soon I will come,

Wake you from this dream

Take you away to a bet-"

With those few melodic words my eyes started to droop, The power of the tone and lyrics getting the best of me. The words melted within each other and my body went numb, a ring of darkness surrounding my eyes. Then slowly becoming that of a utter darkness; the music outside my body becoming that of nothing. As I sat in the darkness, searching for someone, anyone.

A light eerie bouncing sound could be heard. Streams of light appearing in the night sky; dark green grass prickling my bare feet. From somewhere far off, someone was laughing; the noise bouncing off the dark land. A small ball appeared in my vision, bouncing along the pitch black in a glowing state. Curious I followed the glowing ball as it made a path through the land; A grey sidewalk appearing wherever it touched.

The land around me started to stream in with colour. Reds and blues appearing at my sides, a stop sign ahead of me. The ball started to move at a faster pace and I was forced to run if I wished to catch up to it. Sounds combining with the colours as the honks of passing cars entered my ears. From the park across from me, a kid giggled as a dog licked his face, saliva sticking to his rosy cheeks.

The ball was now moving at a speed far too fast for me. Reaching out my hand, I tried to catch it, only to lose my balance and trip.

"Ouch!" I muttered, frowning at the new bruise on my knee, a stream of red oozing out of the small bruise. Numbly touching the wound, I gasped when electricity swam through my body. Numbing my body with it's touch. The sound of something bouncing forced me to look up.

In front of me, the ball stood, no longer bouncing; as if it had lost interest. Reaching out, I brought my hand toward it, in hopes to feel the light's warmth.

"I wouldn't touch that if I were you." Came a male's grounded voice, as a man stepped into my view, his face shaded behind a building, Retracting my hand I tilted my head in confusion. "It'll burn you alive." He answered my wordless question with a weird laugh, the same as I'd heard before.

"Who are you?" I asked the man, who only ignored me, with the idea of, instead, kneeling close to me; his red eyes gleaming into my own with ignorant glee. My brow scrunched up in confusion. Something about him was off. I could've sworn I'd seen him before, or someone like him. Why could I not remember, such a simple thing as a man's face?

"Who do I look like?" He asked, reading my mind, a smirk growing across his face. "Go on, guess. I love when humans make a fool of themselves!" He snickered, grabbing my face with his hand and pulling me closer. His crimson eyes staring at me with that of humor. "Here, let me help, I share an aura with a female demon you know. She's loud, ugly, and useless" he purred.

Widening my eyes, I gasped. Of course, Amelia! The two of them have a demonic aura to them. How could I forget a girl who never leaves my side? "I forget her all the time, no need to worry." He exclaimed, shrugging off the mistake. Gasping, I moved closer to his form, the sounds around us now growing silent.

"Can you read my mind?" I asked with excitement. Amelia could only float and sing; nothing of higher ability was in her power. The only worthy talent she had was to get on my nerves, though that didn't take much effort on her side.

"I can, but I'm not." He replied in, monotone, letting out a small yawn. "Really, no point in using it. You're like a simple book; one look and it's finished." He said smugly, flicking my nose in the process. Stretching out another yawn, his eyes flickered over my own as his grin grew back. "That's not why I'm here though..."

"I'm here to make a deal with you. One you might just like." He purred, letting himself move closer to my body; cold electricity emitting from his pale form. Nervously, I nodded for him to continue, holding in a tiny breath. "You want to get away from your 'big bad master' right?" I nod at this, though pausing for a second. "Well, I can get you away from him-free you-if you'd like to say, from his evil clutches."

Opening my mouth, I scowled at him. This made no sense. Why free someone like myself when there's people in this place who could do so much better? People who could actually survive in this buzzing place. "Why?" I asked, moving closer, space between us now gone, so he could hear my whisper of a voice. Grinning, the man shrugged the question off with obvious disinterest. "I don't even know you. Why would I accept?"

Shaking his head, the man patted me on the head; his grin only mocking me. "But I know you; and I know you would do anything for freedom. Why won't you let a lonely stranger bring you just that?" He questioned, hand still ruffling my blonde hair. Shocks of electricity rumbling down my back with every numb touch.

"Would you trust a demon?" I retorted, in hopes to hurt his pride. His grin only widened as his weird chuckle escaped his mouth. "I'd rather not. Deals with demons never end well." I explained, looking away at the now uncolorful landscape. Something about this man made me feel like I was being looked right through; like I was some sort of crystal ball that's easy to glance into. He did say I was practically an opened book.

"Well, then. Let's make it easier on you. I'll give you till tomorrow night to decide. I'm sure one day with your 'master' with give you the right answer." He exclaimed, tugging at a strand of my hair. "Deal?" He asked placing his hand in front of me and waiting cooly. Sighing, I took his hand in mine and shook it lightly. A slight shock coming from the demon's cold hand. "Ah, before I forget. My name is Gilbert, Gilbert Beilschmidt, and you are?" He asked hand still clasped tightly to my own, letting the cold emigrate to my hand.

"Madeline...Williams." I whispered shuffling uncomfortably, and lightly pulling at my hand, in hopes to retrieve it.

"Lovely name." He murmured bringing his mouth down to my hand. Kissing it lightly with his cold lips, a shock running through my whole body at the impact. "It is nice to meet you Madeline." He purred before letting go of my hand. "Now, as much a shame as it is, you need to wake up and have that date with your 'master'." He grinned as I started to sway, the world slowly blurring as my eyes drooped and a buzzing sound came through my ears.

Absently nodding, I slinked to the ground and curled up for warmth as the cold of gravel came against my back. The sound of Amelia could be heard as she sang her lullaby, though the sound was far off in the distance. My body slowly started to numb as I froze in my curled trance; my breathing slowed. "I'll see you soon, Birdie."

So for any of you that have read this before hand on my other account I'm really sorry but the email no longer works and so I kinda made my way to a new account. Finally putting these stories up on the correct account so I can work on them!