The Cage Breaker

6- A Grey Past

"I have, sorry, had, a sister, you know. Willow. She was younger than me. By 2 years. We were so close. She was there for me, and me for her. I could count on her. I trusted her with my life. I loved her. And she was beautiful. So beautiful.

"We lived in the bad part of town. My mum was dead, my dad was ill. Lung disease. So Willow and I had to work, because he couldn't. Willow worked at the dress makers. I worked at the local butchers. I wasn't good at it. I almost got fired many times. Willow, however, had talent. She was amazing with needle and thread. Madame Mathé (the owner of the shop) loved her, and Willow would come home everyday with her hair brushed, washed and plaited by Madame Mathé herself.

"One day, in midwinter 2 years ago, there was a fire. I'm not sure how it started. There are many rumours. Some say it was a knocked over candle, others that it was an organised attack. I'm not sure. All I know is, Willow was working late at the shop, and Madame Mathé's shop was at the centre of town, right next to the start of the fire.

"I searched for Willow, but our house was burned down, dad had died in the manic crowd outside, his lungs weren't up to it, and I had nothing. I only had the clothes on my back. I was 14, and I was dirty and starving. Nobody wanted to help me, who would? I couldn't pay for information, there was nothing in it for them. So I couldn't find her. I came to realise she was dead. I'm not into false hope," he hangs his head.

"Gray, you don't need to tell me this," I tell him, but he shakes his head.

"You deserve the truth. Anyway, you told me," he is about to continue, when the door next to us bangs open, and in comes the guards. I jump to my feet as quick as I can and stand to attention. The guards (as usual) look immaculate. Deep red uniforms pressed and dust free, their black hats shined so much I can see myself reflected in them. I look a mess, I scold myself.

Between the guards - to contrast horribly - stands a ragged looking girl. She has frizzy, mousey brown hair in long tangles- and even some dreadlocks. Her face is covered in dirt smudges and ... blood. I wonder how she got them. I hope she isn't hurt. Oh, my big heart! Her white shirt is ripped, stained and torn, and she looks really down. I'm not surprised. Everyone looks like that when they first enter. She is in the dungeons, I mean, come on.

"Miss Cage," the guard on the left says," this is Victoria. She will be a prisoner here for the next 7 years in the spare cage next to Indigo." He violently pushes her forwards and she stumbles on the uneven stone tiles. I smile at her.

"Follow me. I'll take you to your cage." I take her by the arm and lead her through the maze that is the dungeon, waving to Gray and Skye as we go. I try and talk to Victoria. but she doesn't seem to want to. She hangs her head low as we walk, and ignores the jeers and cat calls from the male prisoners. I throw them dirty looks, but it doesn't seem to affect them. They just ignore me. Not like I care. I just hope Victoria is ok.

"Are you ok?" I ask Victoria.

"Yes, this is a lovely room of death," she replies in an odd voice. I know that line from... Somewhere. Victoria throws me a cheeky grin and we continue in silence.

I always hate having to bring in the newbies, it's horrible. And Victoria looks about 17. So young. I sigh, and she lifts her head to look at me. Her eyes are startlingly blue. I know those eyes. I know those eyes so well. But I can't remember where from.

"I... I know you... don't I?" I ask her. She looks at me and smiles.

"I don't know. Do you?" she asks back, a toothy grin on her face. I hate it when people answer a question with a question. It gets on my nerves. I'm sure it must show on my face, because she shuts up.

"Here we are, Victoria," I say politely as we near her cage. She smiles and steps up into it. Indi smiles at me, and Chi-Chi waves.

"This is Indi and Chi-Chi. Guys, this is Victoria," I make the introductions as always.

"Please, call me Tori," Tori insists, "oh, and Karis, good to see ya, hon."