Thank you all for supporting this story. I waited for so long to post this chapter so that I could have some time to write a little ahead to be able to post what I want when I want and not have to wait to let you all know what's going on. I should be posting every two weeks if not once a week (Depending on how often I write in it).
An AU of BioShock Infinite, where it takes place before/after the game. If you haven't beaten the game there will be spoilers ahead (for the future chapters as well as this one (minor hints at it though)). Booker/Elizabeth. Don't like it? Don't read it.
Songbird watched me as I danced through the library. I turned 18 years old, and was planning on heading outside of the tower; something Songbird promised me.
"Isn't this exciting?" I asked him. Songbird said nothing to me. I folded my arms and gave him a look.
"What's wrong?" I asked him.
'I don't want you to get hurt.' He said, 'I will always protect you.'
"I know, but you promised I'd go out of the tower for a whole day. Since it's the day of the carnival, I'll head out!" I told him.
'Then I shall watch you from the sky.' Songbird said, his beak coming to me. I hugged him and nuzzled his beak.
"I know you will." I said to him. There was a loud static that could be heard. Someone came on the radio.
"Elizabeth?" I heard an old man say. I felt confused as I walked to the radio/telephone that was in my dressing room.
"H-Hello?" I asked through. I heard a man sigh in relief.
"I was just making sure you were alright." The man said.
"Why?" I asked, "Do I know you?"
"Yes, Elizabeth, you know me, though you do not remember me." The old man said with a sigh.
"Uh...Okay I guess... I'll talk to you later then?" I asked.
"Yes my child." He said. I was very confused about the whole 'my child' deal, but I shrugged. I walked to my closet and picked out my favorite outfit; a white shirt with a blue neckerchief. There was a matching blue skirt with tights and black boots. I got in the outfit and examined myself in the mirror. I pulled my hair back into a ponytail and smiled at the result. I turned happily to Songbird.
"How do I look?" I asked, twirling for him.
'I don't know how to respond to that.' Songbird replied. I laughed and skipped out to the door leading out of the tower.
"The key?" I asked, holding out my hand. Reluctantly, Songbird handed me a key with a bird on one side and a cage on the other. I spun it around in my hand as I walked to the door and unlocked it. I stepped out of the tower and felt...afraid. I walked down some of the hallways before getting to a doorway. Curiously, I opened it. I peeked inside and saw my library. A chill went down my spine.
"They were...watching me?" I gasped, placing my hand on my chest. Songbird's hand came to clasp my shoulder. I turned to him.
"Did you know they were doing this?" I asked him.
'No child. I didn't. This is sick and twisted. If I'd known they were doing this to you, I would have let you out a long time ago.' He said to me, nuzzling me. He pushed me along, herding me towards the exit. I stepped out of the tower and watched as the words read Monument Island. I was still trapped here.
"Even if I were to get out of here, I'm still trapped on the island." I said, mostly to myself.
'Are you?' Songbird asked. I felt him scoop me up as he flew, carrying me with him. He flew until there was no real crowd and he landed, setting me on the ground.
'Be safe and have fun. If you run into trouble, I'll be here to save you. Always remember that.' Songbird told me, flying away.
"Thank you." I replied, waving.
Booker watched his mother as she read the card. He didn't understand her sudden need to go to Columbia. He wondered if she was chasing after his father.
"One scroll, two sword, and two key. Got it Booker?" She asked back to Booker.
"Yea, yea." Booker replied, rolling his eyes and taking the card. He slipped it into his vest pocket. It was a downpour. The two men rowing were bickering back and forth about the rowing, and finally they arrived. Many people were in line to head up. Booker quietly climbed up the ladder onto the dock, flashing his passport to the attendant there. He nodded, looking at Booker's Mother as she climbed up. She carefully got out her passport and showed it to him. He smiled.
"Have fun in Columbia. I hope you return." He said. It almost sounded like mocking. Booker nodded quietly and guided his mother down the boardwalk and onto the ground. They walked with the other passengers to the stairs and looked up. There was a lot of people heading to Columbia, obviously.
"Maybe we should have went the day before..." Booker's mother said.
"No darling." A woman in front of them said, turning around, "Yesterday it's always worse. My husband and I are from Columbia and we used to always return home yesterday. Well, this year it's been faster since we didn't do that."
"I see..." Booker's mother replied. The woman began to stare at Booker, making him shift awkwardly.
"You'll bring a scandal!" She told Booker's mother. Booker's cheeks burned with the thought.
"Oh no, no. He's not my husband. He is my son." Booker's mother clarified, "I was young when I married."
"I see... How old were you?" She asked.
"Seventeen." She replied, rubbing her head.
"How old are you, young man?" She asked Booker.
"Eighteen ma'am." Booker said calmly.
"Polite, handsome, and young...If you're looking for a woman, you won't have to look very hard. Unless you have a type..." The woman suggested. Booker winced as the woman's husband turned to look at him.
"I swear on the Prophet-" The man started.
"I'm not into older women, I swear." Booker said cooly. The man nodded and turned around, causing the woman to do so as well. The remainder of time spent in the line was very, very awkward.