"ESCAPE"

♕ PROLOGUE ♕

Ten years ago...

Over in the distance, a jet black crow jaggedly flies through the gray cloudy sky. It would inconsistantly land on a branch or the ground and, only staying there for just a few moments, flies back out. You do not notice the bird, as you are preoccupied in the simple things a young child would do. It seems to notice you, however...you grab its attention...and it starts flying towards your window like a moth to candleflame.

You, being three years old and unaware of the strange world aroud you, continue playing with your wooden train in your bedroom, alone of course.

The black crow perches itself on your tall, castle window, its head jerking in many directions, as if it were looking for something. You then take notice of this mysterious, yet captivating bird, and avert your eyes from your toy. The bird simply stays there on your windowsill, now staring at you. Its beady crimson eyes are locked on you, making you feel somewhat unconfortable. You, now taken in by this bird, force your little body up in a standing position.

You wobble over to the window, confused and curious, to examine this strange bird. It's glowing crimson eyes pierce through you as you walk towards it, sending a slight chill up your spine.

You finally arrive at your window, now only inches fron the crow. You examine the bird as a slight yet chilling wind blows through that very window and travels throughout your castle bedroom.

It continues to stare cocking its head to the side, as if confused. You smile at this unattractive winged creature, and let out a childish giggle in naïve happiness.

Why does this bird interest you so much? And why does it make you so happy? Any normal child would just ran from this ugly bird or shoo it away? Even so, this bird visits you almost every single time you are alone, so you are used to it, even consider it a friend.

Well, if you are aware of one thing in this world, you know you are not normal. Far from normal, in fact. Even for a three year old. You prefer to play on your own, as other children would simply get in the way of the little, wonderous adventures you could only have by yourself. Also, you are very, no, extremely, picky eater. You would only eat a few select foods, which was not that bad as your personal chefs could easily make any meal you wish.

Anyway, you continue to gape at this creature, as you have been for nearly five minutes.

You slowly gradually lean your head closer, your bright royal blue eyes getting wider and more excited the closer you get. Its dark feathers glisten from an unknown light, only attracting you more.

It, as you get closer and closer, widely opens its equally as dark beak, revealing a thick, light pink tongue.

You, being clueless, curious and naïve, you point out your chubby finger....
Slowly raising to the crows open mouth...

As your finger gets merely inches away, the previously open mouth snaps shut. This sudden movement makes you flinch and let out a small fearful cry.

You then gently rub your eyes, causing to be closed for only a couple of moments. But then, when you eyes open again-

The crow is nowhere to be found.

You slowly walk to to the window and lean out of it, looking in every direction for it.

"It couldn't of flown away that quickly..."

You then, likely you always do, dismiss the crow's dissappearance as just vanishing. Your little, imaginative mind does not rule out such nonsense, as you are creative and naïve enough to believe that a crow teleporting could actually happen. And, this crow has visited you before, many times in fact, for as long as you could remember.

You then pout, dissapointed that the crow disappeared yet again, and continue playing with your wooden train. However, thoughts about this crow continue to plague the back of your mind.

"How did the crow disappear?" you wonder.

"Why does this crow keep visiting me?" you wonder.

These same questions have been bothering ever simce you first saw this crow about a year before.

Then, a new question enters your mind.

"Does this crow even exist...?"