Sometimes, Anarchy Is Best ~~ Shadows

11.) Rune

Rune knew where she was before she ever opened her eyes, and it made her simply decide not to. She wished she could cover her head with her wing to block out the light that kept her from the sleep she wanted to envelop her so badly. It hurt her very soul, like a special hole in her chest had had another bit dug out.

The chains on her wrists and ankles and wings were heavy, but Rune couldn't remember if they'd always been that heavy. She couldn't remember, and that scared her in a new way. Like she wanted to be afraid, but the emotion was simply being sucked away into that abyssal hole in her, making her simply not care as she continued to delay opening her eyes.

Her thoughts drifted over how she got there. She'd woken up being kidnapped by Sienna, which was confusing. Rine didn't even know who Sienna was, why was she looking for her?

And then Nightmare had shown up, and the fight that followed removed any possibility of her being hired by him. He'd caught her, and then... she'd woken up here.

Her wing ached, but only if she bothered to focus on it. She'd gotten used to pain in that area long ago. In all honesty, she got more discomfort getting her wounds treated, because while it was unfamiliar, it was friendly. So many people hurt her, so someone helping her felt wrong.

I wonder if other kids feel like this? No way this of all things about me is normal.

She shifted her attention to her surroundings, trying to figure out if there was anything amiss without moving or opening her eyes. Totally genius plan there, Rune, she scolded herself when she realized she couldn't do such a thing very effectively.

There was utter silence for what felt like forever, the completely empty air feeling as cold and empty as a ravenous cavern as Rune lay there, resting and letting her mind drift from thing to thing. Of course, not a single thought was of escape. She knew she was back, and even if she was given a chance to run right now, she was too tired and lacked the will to stand, much less pull an escape plan.

After what felt like forever, there was a clang of a door somewhere to Rune's far right, and she stayed still and silent, hoping whoever it was would leave her be. "Rune?"

The crow hybrid internally groaned at Linus' voice. Out of all the people who took part in her pain, Linus was possibly the most annoying. He'd come in one time and be all aggressive and blaming her for everything, and then a day later come back crying. We used to cry together-

Footsteps sounded to a spot near Rune, which is where she assumed the door to her cell was. "He really did find you, huh?" Linus murmured, the question rhetorical and soft. It was obvious her sleep act was believable. "I almost wish he didn't... heh."

There was a soft thud from where Rune had heard the footsteps stop before. "You know, Clay was in a horrible mood once you escaped. I couldn't figure out why. Like, sure, you're important and all, but if you're free, then we simply don't have to torture my child sister anymore. I'd think that's a win, personally." he sighed softly. "Turns out, Carson has been threatening my life. Saying he'll kill me if Clay doesn't comply."

Rune was surprised by that. She didn't think Carson would threaten one of his own, but then again, this was Carson. There was no guessing what that man did. "He's so smart sometimes," Linus continued, "But fuck, is he stupid. He's a literal Kiophao hybrid enhanced with fucking bat echolocation that he uses without even noticing, and he's scared of Carson because he's threatening me. Like, I feel like maybe Clay is qualified to protect me from whatever the hell Carson has to throw our way."

There was a hint of something else in his voice, something buried and hidden away, that he wanted to say but didn't. At least, until the silence filled the air like a thick fog, and Linus clearly couldn't stand it. "I know it sounds bad, but I kind of wish Clay would go against Carson. I can't do it on my own, I won't. Not without him, but he's so damn loyal. It's one of the things I love about him, but god it blinds him. He's clinging to promises and fears from years ago to cope with the fact that we.... we were scammed out of a life." Linus was silent for a moment, before sniffling softly.