River lay, staring at the sky. She could see it, see the stars beyond the metal of her cell. Calling out, wondering why no one could ever just come outside. Its only friends were made of metal. Cold, metal beasts with nothing to offer it.

She felt bad for the sky. No person ever dared reach its hand to the sky.

She puffed up her cheeks until they were as wide with air as she could fill them. She blew the air out with a low whistle.

She hated this. Being confined to her room. Simon could never let her rest. Always made her sleep.

Rest. Restless. Legs like nests for fire ants.

She stood up slowly, walking gracefully to the wall. She pressed her cheek against the cool metal of the wall, her hand coming up to lean next to it.

Shhh. She needed to hear.

She needed to hear the girl like flames.

The girl was buzzing. Buzzing like a bee on fire. Alight in the inferno and not even aware of it. Just kept on buzzing. Darting about. Bouncing back like a rubber ball when it hit a wall. Mindless drone of the hive. Silly little bee.

She should tell Simon about the bee. She really should.

But she wouldn't.

She smiled. They would hop around. Bunnies at the puppet show. Then, like they always did, they would fight. And they would win. And then they would soak in their own foolishness and regret.

A small bit of sisterly vengeance. She'd say nothing.

That's what he would get for locking her up.