The Prisoner and the Paper Planes

Chapter 3

((Alfred's POV))

At breakfast the next morning, Mathias was really quiet. I assumed it was because of Anna and the rest of us had a silent agreement to let him mourn in his own way because he would eventually be back to normal soon...hopefully..

Aednat came and sat with us. She seemed to be happier when she saw us and practically bounced over to our table. I scooted over to give her a seat and she happily sat by me. I guess between me,Gil,and Mattie she felt protected.

We ate our breakfast and talked little, but at some point I noticed something around Mathias's neck. I nudged Gilbert and slightly gestured to it and he seemed curious as what it was as well.

"Hey Mattie..."Gilbert said,"What's that you got around your neck?"

Mathias snapped his head up and his hand went straight for what was around his neck. He seemed very protective of whatever it was.

"Calm down, we aren't gonna take it from you.."Gilbert said.

"..I-It's something of Anna's.."he said.

"Then...a necklace..?"I asked.

Mathias nodded in response.

"When we started to get to know each other, we really didn't want to be apart. So she gave me this necklace as a piece of her if something happened and I gave her that...teddy bear I used to have..."Mathias said.

"Well, it's good to know that you'll always have her with you.."Gilbert replied,smiling.

I went back to eating and slowly got lost in my thoughts. I really wish that I was at home again. At least Mathias had something of someone he cared about. I had nothing. I closed my eyes and wished that I had someone,ANYONE, that could be that close to me.

I was taken from my thoughts as a sound of a whistle went through the cafeteria. I turned my head to see that same man again. He was the one who blew the whistle.

"Alright, we're separating into two lines...one of the younger kids, and one of the older kids.."he said.

I saw Aednat start to tremble. She was the younger of us so she would be separated from her protection. I patted her back, and she calmed down a little. Slowly, she made her way over to the younger kids as me,Gilbert, and Mathias went to some of the older kids.

The younger kids went through the building first, going to what I assume was the place they had played earlier the day before. The rest of us went to a part of the building that kinda looked like a gym.

"Alright..playtime is over for you..now we will separate you to go do your chores for the day.."the man said.

Slowly, one by one, the kids were given orders of chores that would keep them busy. They would scurry off as fast as they could and I really couldn't blame them.

Mathias and Gilbert went and when they came back, they told me they had bathroom cleaning duty, and with that, they were gone.

I gulped nervously as I went to get my chores. I ended up getting trash duty and cleaning dishes after breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I quickly left the gym-like room and headed to the cafeteria to wash dishes and then I went to go get the trash.

It was a bit of a hard job, considering some of the trashcans were outside in this unbearable heat. I walked over to one in an area that I assume must have been the adult side of the camp. No one was around, so it was very creepy and quiet.

I started taking the trash out of the trashcan when I saw something out of the corner of my eye. A familiar sight. Light blonde hair and a white dress with a sunhat and a pink ribbon on it.

My eyes widen as I remember where I saw that girl from. She was the one in my dream. I watched, utterly stunned when she kept walking by. Then I realized that she was outside the fence. She was free. I shook my head and her footsteps stopped. She glanced over at me and giggled, probably because I looked pretty stupid just standing there, gawking at her.

I felt more heat swell up inside me and I was sure that I was bright red. I watched as she continued on walking, until she was out of my sight.

Later that evening, we all sat down with the other kids for dinner. Gilbert and Mathias were complaining a bit about their chores but I was too fixed on the thought of that girl to even join in.

"What's up,Al? Cat got your tongue?"Gilbert said,nudging me.

"Hello? Come back down to earth,Al!"Mathias replied,waving his hand in front of my face.

I shook my head and looked at them.

"What..?"I asked.

"Well you've been staring off into space for about 5 minutes.."Gilbert said.

"Sorry.."I replied.

"Looks like someone has a crush~"Mathias said, nudging me.

"I do not!"I said,cheeks blazing.

"Oh c'mon, spit it out already, Al!"Gilbert said.

"I...I saw this girl outside the fence today when I was getting trash.."I said.

Gilbert and Mathias's eyes widened.

"Outside the fence..?"they said in unison.

"Yeah..she was just walking by..."I said.

"Nobody just 'walks by' a place like this Al..She's probably on the enemy's side.."Gilbert said.

"But she seems so nice.."I said.

"Maybe you should ask her if she is with the enemy.."Mathias said.

"I-I couldn't just talk to her!"I whispered quickly to him,trying not to get any of the guard's attention.

"Then write her a letter..besides, thinking of what to say and writing it down is more useful then coming up with them on the spot."Aednat said, coming into the conversation.

"But I don't have any paper or a pencil.."I said.

"I could get you some!"Mathias said.

"Really?"I asked.

"Of course! You have dishes duty so I'll give you the paper and pencil when you're done!"he replied.

I smiled and told him thanks.

Later on, I was walking down the hall to my room when I saw Mathias come over to me, carrying the paper and pencil.

"Here you go,Al!"he said,handing them to me.

"Um..I'm just curious..but why do you have these in the first place?"I asked.

"Oh, well, me and Anna used to draw most of the time when we could...I don't really want to draw anymore so they would be of more use to you then me.."he replied.

"Oh..sorry for bringing her up.."I said.

"Don't worry about it, besides, we'll see each other again one day, just like maybe someday you'll get to meet the girl you met outside of this place."he said,heading back to his cell.

I nodded and carefully hid the pencil and paper as I headed to my cell. After everyone was asleep, I went to the window my cell had and sat in front of it for light. I thought for a good couple of minutes, before I finally got hold of something to write and began hurriedly writing the letter.

I really hope I get a response from her...