Chapter one: Promise

A small girl, no more than twelve years old, sat in the corner of a large, prison-like cell. She was skinny, scarred and dirty. A white patch covered the left side of her face, where her eye had been torn out. She wore a dirty, grey, sleeveless dress that was ripped at the edges, and fell just above her knee. Her short hair was tangled, and was a bright scarlet color.

The cell itself had grey walls and a dirt floor. The bars at the entrance were rusted and black. Two guards with spear-like weapons stood on each side of the cell, watching everyone from the outside. There were others in the cell- it was fairly large. People of all ages were sleeping, whispering and crying all around her. But she sat alone, isolated from everyone, as she sat looking out of the barred window in the corner.

The girl wrapped her arms around her knees as she closed her eye, remembering how the other had been ripped off of her face by a higher-up official. And for what? Stopping her work for a moment to catch her breath! The girl sighed and mumbled, "Is there any freedom in this world? Will I ever leave this place? I don't even remember my own family…I've been working here as a slave for long as I can remember." A small breeze crept through the barred window and moved her short red hair out of the left side of her face, revealing the patch where her eye had been. She lifted her head, and looked out the window. The sky is so blue and big…I'm envious of the birds. They must feel free all of the time!

"Hello!"

The girl turned away from the window to see a boy, about her age standing before her. He wore a torn, grey shirt and green shorts. He was barefoot, and was just a little taller than her. His hair was a bright blue color, and a strange red tattoo covered one side of his face. His eyes were a golden-hazel color that shone brightly, even though it seemed as if the boy himself was scarred and had been beaten.

She looked up at him, thinking, who is this kid? And how can he be smiling in a place like this?

He bent down so he was face-to-face with her, and smiled, the breeze from the window blowing his blue hair to one side. "Maybe you've seen me around…I've sure seen you! I was the one stopped them when they took your eye…I'm sorry I couldn't do anything else sooner…" He looked down; the smile on his face had suddenly turned to an expression of guilt.

He came here to apologize?

The girl's eyes widened, "Oh no I didn't expect anyone to do anything…I-I was surprised they didn't kill you for trying to interfere…But thank you…" She looked down shyly.

The boy nodded and held out his hand. "I'm Jellal. Jellal Fernandes."

The girl looked up, slightly surprised. Honestly, she didn't really know what else to do. She took his hand and he pulled her to her feet. She got up and stumbled forward, probably because she had been sitting for so long, but he grabbed her arm before she could fall over.

"You're a little clumsy, aren't you?" Jellal chuckled as he let go of her arm. The girl said nothing and straightened herself out.

That was embarrassing…

"So what's your name?"

"Erza. Just plain Erza." The girl said softly as she looked back at him.

"No last name? That's a bit sad…" said Jellal. "Oh! Your hair is so pretty! Scarlet! That's what we'll call you! Erza Scarlet!" He reached out and touched her hair. Erza flinched a bit and took a step backwards, surprised.

This random kid is giving me a name? Who does he think he is? I barley even know him!

"Scarlet…The color of your hair! That way, I'll never forget!" Jellal smiled and then said, "So what do you think? I think it fits perfectly!"

Scarlet… Sounds right.

Erza nodded, "Um…yeah! It sounds good."

Jellal then pointed towards the window, where two birds were flying in the crystal blue sky. "You see that? We'll be like them some day- free and happy without anyone telling us what to do. One day we'll both be free together. We'll leave this place and never look back! I promise!"

He looked back at her with a fearless, hopeful expression and a big grin on his face. And for the first time in long while, Erza smiled back too.

Jellal.

At first glance, I thought he was an unkempt, scrawny, foolish boy.

But I will never forget what he said to me that day.

I will never forget the look he gave me when he said those words.

There was fire in those golden eyes that burned into my heart.

To this day, I can still feel it.

And when I do, I can't stop the tears from flowing.

Because knowing that he never kept his promise,

Is the hardest thing I've ever had to deal with.