Chains & Butterflies

Chapter 1: Birds & An Eventful Day

"While I thought that I was learning how to live, I had been learning how to die." - Leonardo da Vinci

The warm summer sun radiated throughout my room as dancing silhouette leaves tussled against the light. The slight taping of the branches against my windowsill caused me to stir, as I turn to face away from the ever increasing chirping noise of the birds that inhabit the tree adjacent to my room.

I am going to get a BB gun and shot those damn birds down one by one. I thought as I covered my face with the sheets. The commotion coming from downstairs was hindering what was left of my lethargic state. It is 8 in the morning, not to mention is summer! Why are people up already? Turing once more, I heard my name being called outside my bedroom door.

"Evelyn!" I peeked out of my sunflower covers to watch my sliver doorknob turn gradually. Oh Good God no. Why Lord? WHY? I hid my face, as she entered the room sighing, "Sleeping in as usual, you would think she'd be up early to today a least." Her nagging voice continued to approach me, "Well here goes nothing."

Feeling a sudden jolt from the left side of my sunflower sheets. Quickly I grabbed the other side, creating a tug-a-war with this insufferable women. I didn't put much strengthen into keeping my fort secured, that with one great tug, my protective cocoon was unraveled. As I twisted, turned and rolled across my bed, I slammed leg first against the cold wooden floor, "Oww."

I rubbed at the soreness of my hip, which took more of the impact, and glared up at her. "What the hell was that for? Can't you wake me up like a sane person."

"A sane person doesn't need to be tossed out of bed four times a week? Remind me again, how old are you?" Not receiving a counter to her question she processed to return the covers back on to the bed and offered me a hand of truce. "Now, go and take a shower. We need to get you ready. The guest will be arriving soon."

What guest?

I froze instantly. No it can't be! I scrambled for my clock which sat on top the nightstand. My heart came to a plummeting halt, time glared back at me with its warning color.

8:10 am, July 7.

The clock slip between my fingertips, echoing as it hit against the floor. It was today. Oh, God it was today. My birthday, the day I'd be bound by the chains I fear the most.

"Well get going! Sara will be here shortly with your dress." She impatiently pushed me toward the bathroom. Holy mother of baby Jesus, What am I going to do!

I slowly closed the door behind me and stood there staring at the wall for a good five minutes. A catastrophic panicked filled my lungs at the realization what today entitled. It was a hellish nightmare, I could not wake myself up from. No, this was an unforgiving reality that roared at me with such ferocity, my soul quivered. A reality which was jolted back at me, when a loud knock from behind pounded my eardrums. "Hurry up Evelyn!"

I grumbled, stripping myself down and entered the shower. My thought rapidly replaying the plans I had brewed up with in the confines of my mind.

The Gate The one on the western side of the court yard, I had become wholly obsessed with it over the past few months. Everything was ready, Isabel was now waiting for me on the other side. The preparations for today's event would be the perfect opportunity to distract everyone from my true intentions. To escape the chains to be restrained as I was, at the age I was, was embarrassing to say the least. I had a future I looked forward to after graduating from college. My dream was something I wanted to do. It was about me chasing after it and no one else stopping me from doing so. Something I learned I would never able to do alone.