A/N: This is my first story I've published here, so I hope it isn't a complete FailFic.
This is just the prologue and I want to see if you guys like it before I continue it, so reviews and constructive criticisms are wanted.
Thanks and enjoy.
I ran. What else could I do? None of us were safe, not even the guards, and they were direct friends of my strong, dangerous, sick older brother, the lord of this fortress he dubbed his palace. I couldn't risk helping the guards, though, even if we were friends. My brother's ruling style of 'fear conquers all' had gotten to them and I just couldn't trust any of them. The others that had been captured and shackled by my heartless brother were also beyond my help. I dearly wished I could do something for them, but I could only pray for their well-being, and run.
I wasn't running away; I was no coward and I was not going to leave everyone at my brother's hands. I was running to find the one person I cared about that my brother hadn't thrown in the holding cell or recruited to his guard. I paused for a moment to catch a slight breath as I thought of his face, the wide smile I had seen him wear last. Now however, I had no idea where he was or if he was even... I didn't want to think of the word. I looked down at my hand, staring longingly at the ring he had adorned it with, remembering the sweetness in his voice as he spoke to me that night.
A crackle of static shook me from my daydream. "Oh, where, oh, where has you little love gone? Oh, where, oh, where can he be?" The voice echoing through the halls was so similar to mine, but so much more tainted.
"You bastard!" I shouted, hoping he had microphones and not just speakers.
I suppose he did. "Aw, not calling me by name? That's upsetting. Careful, or you might hurt my feelings, little bitch," he crowed out with laughter. "But," he continued, "I guess you deserve some prize for escaping and getting this far, though defeating Francis isn't all that great a feat."
"Wait, you put him on duty alone purposely," I accused, though I wonder if you can consider it an accusation when you know you're right.
"What can I say?" He laughed. "I was bored and nothing enjoyable was happening. But, I'll admit, I'm entertained. Now, time for your prize.
"Fe-li-ci-a-no, someone needs to hear from you," he spoke the name so tauntingly I was ready to tear him to shreds.
But how long was my rabid anger supposed to last, when the next sound I heard - such a frail whimper - broke my heart in two?
"L-Ludwig? Ludwig..."
"LET HIM GO!"
My brother let out another bout of laughter that was quickly cut off with the speakers, leaving that cold empty sound to bounce through the air and pierce my mind.
I ran. What else could I do?