Imprisonment

"I can't believe you've did this!"

"But I bet you're secretly glad about it?" Charles is baffled but finally nods. He could use a friend. Raven smirks; it's not often that Charles is at a loss for words.

"I've joined you so that we can have both the protection and the chance to travel around to trace these people."

"So you are going through with your.."

"witch hunt? Yes, definitely. It's about time I avenge her death!"

"Keep your voice down."

Erik really enjoys travelling with the gypsies. They see new towns, new environments; it is if the world opens up to him. He develops a taste for adventure. Wherever they go they make discrete inquiries, Raven's gift is very helpful in that respect, and they piece together an image of this man and his objectives. He is cruel, hateful, and a genuine huntsman. The people they encounter that know of him and his accomplishments are fearful even to mention his name. It is like they are soaked in fear. Charles travels through their minds as Raven and Erik question them and the things he sees are beyond awful. Feeling protective of Raven, and of Erik since it is so personal to him, he doesn't divulge the information he has found…

When they enter the town square, , of one of the largest cities of the land, where they will perform the coming days during the festival, they see something appalling. A large cage stands in the middle of the square and in it growls a beast—or is it? The creature is blue and furry with yellow eyes and large teeth. Raven is immensely shocked and rattled for hours. He could easily have been her….

That night she approached him, against Charles' and Erik's hesitations. She softly began to whisper. "Can you hear me? Do you understand what I am saying?" A soft growl was the only reply she received. "You don't have to worry, I won't hurt you…" She continued to try to engage him but he didn't bite. After a few more attempts, Raven decided to risk the unthinkable. "You are not the only one. There are others like you," she told him. "Just look at this!" She made sure he was looking in her direction when she morphed into her own skin for a few seconds. "You see… You can trust me."

The beast slowly moved towards her and began to speak… "You, you…" His voice hoarse since he hardly used it for this particular task. "You are like me."

"Yes, I am. I am not alone either. There are others out there, friends… We can help each other!"

"Not all of them are friends," his voice croaked. "Some are not but hunt their own instead… It keeps them in favor with the high and mighty."

"What, what do you mean? Turned against their own kind?" The beast nodded. This young woman was so naïve believing that they'd all be on the same side. "Is that what happened to you?" she ventured to ask.

"Yes, yes , it was. I was living in the forest but I occasionally spoke to a few farmers and lumberjacks. I knew that was a risk, but I became so lonely… One day, they came with a large group. They had nets and swords and sticks on fire. I couldn't… I couldn't escape, I couldn't fight them. They were too many…."

"But some of them were… our kind?"

"One at least, maybe two…. A man, devilish in appearance and another one devilish in behavior. They were working together. They caged me. They intended to kill me but sold me to this town instead. I am an attraction. People come from all around to see me. I have to do tricks. Fortunately they do not know I can talk…."

"I'll help you any way I can. I promise, I swear."

"You are very kind but there is nothing you can do. These steel bars hold anything, including me. I have tried, believe me, I have tried." A sudden sound startled both of them and Raven quickly disappeared into the night.