The Raven

Flashbacks

 In Madelyn's Dreamworld while she was knocked out 
                                                                                                Madelyn's P.O.V.

        An image of a small six-year-old girl sitting in an antique armchair appears.
        "Vati! I'm bored!" I whined to my father. 
        We were at my grandfather's estate in Germany. He had died in a train accident a few years ago, and dad and Aunt Margo were finally sorting out who gets what. I may be six, but even I know this is ridiculous.
        "How about you go play in the gardens? Just don't go near the woods, ordnung Süße?" He said kneeling on the floor in front of me.
        I stood and snapped to attention. "Jawohl Vater!"
        "Almost." He smiled. I loved that smile. "Now get a move on soldier!" He playfully pushed me out of the room. 
        I knew exactly where I was going. I made my way across the lush, green lawns over to this run-down barn beside the woods. I know Vati said not to go near the woods, but... it's not like I'm going into the woods. Besides, what's the worst that could happen? I yanked open the dry-rotting barn door and stepped inside. It had seen better days to say the least, but if only it could talk and voice all of its stories of years' past.
        I decided to clean up the aging barn and make it my 'secret'  hideout. Why not? I mostly swept out the stalls and hay loft finding the occasional rat or mouse, which earned an occasional squeal. I sat in the hayloft slowly falling asleep, when static filled my ears. It was probably the broken radio... It got louder, and I covered my attempt to block out the sound. The sound was inside my head! How could it be inside my head?! I squirmed and fell off the edge of the hayloft, as I hit the hard hay-scattered floor of the barn, I saw a pair of shiny black shoes. 
        "Herr, bitte, mir zu helfen..." I sobbed still covering my ears.
        "Natürlich Kind." The man lifted my to my feet and, it seemed as if as soon as he touched me, the static faded away. 
        "Danke Herr..." I said and looked up at the man. H-he was faceless and extremely tall with long arms. 
        "It's not polite to stare, child." He stated playfully.
        "Es tut mir leid- I mean- my apologies, sir!" I corrected myself and curtsied. 
        "Rise child; you needn't curtsy for me." If had a face I'm sure he would've smiled.
        "Will you be my friend?" I asked.
        "Of course milady." The faceless man bowed and took my hand. 

                                                                                                        In Reality
                                                                                Madelyn's P.O.V.

        The surface beneath me was much more comfortable than the forest floor. I was stiff like I had been in the same position for awhile, and my head was killing me! "V-vati...? Ich just had die weirdest dream..."
        "Süße! You're awake!" My father cried and hugged me.
        I admit I was a bit taken aback; this is the most emotion he's shown since... well in awhile. 
        "Vati, I'm fi- ahhhh!" My head started throbbing again. 
        "I'll get some medicine; you two keep her company." My father got up and left the room. 
        "Why are you two looking at me like that? I just got a little bump on the head." I said trying to calm the twins' nerves. 
        "Do you remember anything?" Carman asked, her face etched in worry. 
        "All I remember is taking the shortcut through the woods, then I tripped and hit my head."
        "It's Saturday. You were in the forest for the entire night. I- we were so worried about you." Ben's eyes filled with tears. 
        I was in shock. "B-benny..." I took his hand. "At least I'm in safe hands now." I smiled a sad smile of thanks. 

Jawohl = Ja (formal)
Vater = father
Herr, bitte, mir zu helfen = Mister, please, help me
Natürlich Kind = Of course child
Danke Herr = Thank you Mister
Es tut mir leid = I'm sorry
Süße = Sweetie
Vati = Dad/Daddy