Chapter 2

Chirps of a Caged Bird

The sun was bright, far too bright for my weak, bleary eyes. Though the men watching me never once blinked far more accustomed to the land, or scared of missing a beat. It does, after all take one move for everything to go west. One slip of the foot, one flick of the wrist. The windows leered me on, the cool sun lights radiating through them.

Some were open allowing the winter breeze inside the already chilled mansion. My feet itched to move towards them, to jump through it to unknown height. But I knew better. I've always known better, even when thought innocent. Escape was not the answer. Never was, not since I was born. The only choice they've ever given me was my knowledge.

"Keep up!" One of the men barked jabbing my back with his dulled weapon. Jumping with a start I complied with his order, never once withdrawing my sight from the window. If only I had a strength greater than all these men. Then maybe i'd be out there, in the calm forest, running through chilled snow. Birds crying out to me as I make my way home. Not that it would make any difference.

Suddenly the men stopped in front of two large doors. Causing me to ram into one of the stopping bodies. Stumbling back I mutter an apology. One of the men, a short, lanky, blond, turned towards me and nodded. His body visibly tensing at the sight of the door. He forced a smile towards me and tugged on the door, and with a rather loud creak it crawled open. A small window being the only object of light in the room.

Inside, the room was almost completely vacant, except for a metal table and two worn chairs. One more cushioned and larger than the other. The blond gestured towards the smaller of the two, his eyes keeping track of my every movement. Slowly I crept towards the chair, scanning the room while I moved. Nobody was in the room, the men stayed right at the border and 'he' was nowhere to be seen.

Grimacing I slinked into the chair, cold rushing up my bottom. Looking back up towards the nervous blond I waited. " M-master Braginski will be here soon. H-he had some other business..." The blond stammered before bowing and carefully closing the door. His eyes now trained on anything but me. Probably weighed with guilt of what is to come.

My eyes stayed trained on the door for a few extra seconds, thoughts strumming through my mind. Finally with a huff I broke contact and lightly hit the table. Letting the cold metal cool my cheek off. What possibly could that brute be doing? Never in our time together had he ever been late to these 'chats.'

These one sided chats was his way of saying 'You are my friend.' Though his eyes never once agreed with his words. What man spoke of innocent friendship while staring at you with an emotion so...Non-innocent. He wants something, and it's not one of my petty secrets. He was right on one thing, he never once lied. As long as you knew where to look every word held a split of truth.

Birds were chirping outside, flying from one tree to the other. They held conversation with one another, their words quiet with distance. A yellow bird flew over, perching on the window sill. The creatures beady black eyes scanned the room, letting out a chirp when it spotted me. Tucking its wings in the bird snuggles into itself before letting out another chirp.

"Maddie!" A feminine voice yelled as a young dirty blonde quickly soared through the halls. Her blue eyes scanning the rooms for signs of her tiny friend. It was quite troublesome to wake up without the petite human around. Much worse when the realization hit her that the petite human was her responsibility! What would that stupid demon say if he found out she'd lost the poor human.

Growling with rage Amelia picked up her pace. Rushing past door after door of empty rooms, not once stopping to check. The sun was at its highest peak by now, though it was only so bright. Not much heat came from the outside as the land was a tundra. Cold to it's very hearth. 'Just like the bastard himself!'

Oh, the things he would say. The long boring speeches meant to teach her a lesson, her place. Of course, Amelia was never one to listen when told wrong. Only the weak would bring their heads down with disdain, apologize for the mistakes. That wasn't for Amelia though, no, she won't be looked down upon. Never spoken to like trash meant to be thrown. She would find the pesky girl, no words will make it to the pesky little demon.

Turning another corner Amelia grunted as the wall narrowly skimmed her arm. "Where are you?" She muttered trying to hold in a new found anger. If the girl had just woken her up or given a little warning none of this would be a problem. Just why couldn't the kid trust her anymore? When she'd went as far as acting normal even when the human was abducted. Even when the humans words became that of ice.

What is wrong with a little trust?

"I had a very strange dream...she was...to... this man" A thick voice said. The voice was quiet, only heard because of Amelia's sensitive ears. Curiosity getting the best of her, Amelia slowed her pace. Moving close to a half opened door and peaking inside.

A large man of broad shoulder, and a coat hiding his body sat in the middle of the room. Blond hair almost the color of white and calculating violet eyes. Darker than little Maddies and far more older, aged by the dull, unfair world. An odd aura ran around his body, strumming out waves of chills towards Amelia. 'Ivan Braginski...isn't he supposed to be with Maddie.'

Letting her eyes scan across the room she was disappointed to find it empty besides the man. 'Not in here, then she must be somewhere else waiting for him.' Turning Amelia started to leave when Ivan began to speak again. "The man plans on helping her, he's very strong. He let me into the dream bubble just to scare me. He wants me to flee. To hide in my own shell."

He takes a breath, a silly smile slipping upon his room's temperature falling to an icy cold chill. His violet eyes jumping with mischief. "But I won't hide, he won't win." His voice is full of venom, snapping with threat. It's now, that another man shows himself. A frown is plastered on his face as he furrows his bushy eyebrows. 'I-is that...'

"And what the hell do you need me for then? I have better things to do you know!" The men argues, black cloak waving with his quick burst of movement, huffing, as the other simply smiles. Not taking to mind the others temperamental attitude.

"You have magic, da? Well I need it fo-"

"Someone else is here! Did you send your men to restrain me if I said no?" The shorter man rashly yelled his brow furrowed as he glared at the now empty door. His green eyes inspecting the creek then shuffling over and slamming it shut. Green eyes protruding the larger man, a snarl upon his slim lips. "You may be the strongest force to go against, and one of my allies. But I assure you I won't stop to think if it seems you're working behind my back." He growls giving the older man a cold glare.

"But of course comrade and I assure you I can hold my own. I need no men to protect me or restrain weak children like yourself..." The noises quiet as a spell seems to take hold of the room. Hiding all the secrets that were just there. Cursing Amelia stepped back and started on her journey towards Maddie. This time at a much slower pace, as the conversation came to her. Warning bells jingling around her sensitive ears.

'That little brat slipped up, Ivan is much smarter than what he's giving credit for. And why was HE there! That stupid wizard is only going to cause more complications if he listens to Ivan, which he will.' They all do in the end. Shaking her head Amelia let out a raspy breath. 'Where are you Maddie?'

The bird chirped with delight, its wings flapping in a rhythmic pattern. Yellow feathers shined from the little light in the room. Beady eyes strained upon me as it waited. 'Open the window' it pleaded with its tiny eyes. Frowning I turned my glance away from the small creature. From its beady black eyes.

There were more pressing issues to work out. For example Braginski was now thirty minutes late. A thing he's never been before, his schedule always tucked nicely around taunting prisoners. Thirty minutes for a man usually ten minutes early is confusing. Another point to make is that besides Braginski, Amelia is also missing.

It took a while but after a few minutes of utter silence, no whining, no loud cackles, it became apparent she was not with me. Though i'd like to lie and say that makes me happy, truth be told it only makes me worry. The poor girl only has the brain of a twelve year old! If she were to wake and find me gone it's a sure thing she'd have a heart attack, or a huge fit of loud, offensive whining.

Then being her she'd run through the halls like an idiot. Probably causing more havoc than needed. A talent she was sadly born with. With one loud sigh I turned my attention back to the little bird...Only to find it was no longer behind the window but now perched on the other side of the table, cleaning it's feather with its long sleek beak. "How..." I whispered with a quiet gasp.

Bringing my hand gently towards the tiny creature, fingers curled with anticipation. Coaxing trust out of the smart creatures with sweat smiles. "How did you do that?" My voice flew, far more silent than a whisper, blowing through the empty room like a mouse's squeak. Fingers arching just above the tiny things yellow head, just centimeters from the soft yellow bellow. It's beady eyes watching me with a knowing look, a chirp upon it's beak.

"Sunflower, I am sorry I am late. I had something important to do..." He started staring at me with surprise. I watched him with the very same emotion, for a large man he always was far too silent. "What are you doing?" He asked his eyes dancing with amusement. Looking down at my hand I found the bird gone. My hand floating over only an imaginary creature. Only a faint warmth remaining from where the living creatures was only seconds ago.

Butt propped up, body full on table and eyes on him. Ah, Amusement is not the only thing in his eyes now. With one loud gulp I slowly made my way back into my seat. Eyes anywhere but this large brute who's thought are impure. Dancing with thoughts that should never have existed.

"Not going to tell?" He steps into the room with light feet, no noise to be heard. "That's fine" He snickers, his laugh spitting out vile insults silent to most, sharp to my loud mind. "I'll find out on my own." The seat across my creaks as his large body is planted upon it. "Now, let's chat, da?" He says planting his hands heavily on to the metal table. Eyes now only full of amusement.

Glancing about I wait for the usual 'you should speak', 'we are friends', 'tell me a secret'. But none comes, he never speaks. Confusion laced within my gut I plant my eyes on him only to find him staring back. A look of serious consideration in his eyes, A hint of something more somber. Sadness? Regret?

Sighing loudly he breaks contact, instead finding the door far more interesting. "Of course it was you" He mutters, his voice almost unheard. His mouth turned in a deep frown, His eyes truly somber. Bringing his eyes back towards me, his face something i'd never seen before. "You wish to escape?" He starts, his voice coated with fake amusement, lips forced into a smile.

"Cells not good enough for you? Too cold, " He continues, his voice now choking. His words are so simple, the meaning hard to find. "Fine, i'll give you something of better use..." His eyes flashed towards the door, the small man from before entering with a box. "Ah, Raivis, just on time." The young blonde let out a small strained smile, handing Braginski the box. He then stepped back giving a distance between him and the two of us.

Braginski carefully opened the box, inspecting the insides with pained delight. "A present" he says with calm precision, slowly picking the object up, out of the box. "For you." He continues, that of a silver necklace now obviously in his hands. Standing from his spot he came my way stopping right in front of me. Holding in a breath I watched his large hands come around my neck. A cold chill shocking my skin as fingers just grazed.

Stepping back he stares at me with sad aged eyes before turning on heel and leaving the room. Just before he completely exits he turns towards the boy and speaks "Take her to the spare bedroom next to my own. Surely it will be to her liking, da?" With those last words he'd left the room, an odd air of melancholy drifting around his body.

"M-mis" The small blonde stutters, doe eyes pleading me to listen. Switching my gaze from the door I nodded, Smiling slightly towards the boy. "T-this way" He stutters, but this time trying to hold an on coming blush. Why the boy was blushing I could not understand.

The walk was silent, the boy doing anything but look my way. Perplexing as the boy was I let go of any jostles. Happy when we'd finally made it to 'my room'. He quickly shut the door and scurried off. 'What an odd little boy.'

The room was different from what i'd pictured. I pictured a spoiled childs house would be accommodated with many riches but this room was simple, much like some inn beds i'd come across with my papa. Sighing with new found exhaustion I made my way towards the pure white bed. Falling upon the cushioned mattress.

The silver necklace jingled on my neck, cold metal planted between my breasts. Picking up the tiny thing I stared at the one ornament on it. A small metallic bird, a sunflower perched within its mouth. "What's your game Braginski?"