Blackmoore Academy (On Hold)

Chapter Six

Gwendolyn tried shifting in her chair; her rump was sore; her body ached; and her stomach was cramping from hunger pains. Dark circles ringed her eyes. After she'd come to she'd found the taste of blood in her mouth and crusted blood coating her nose. The stench of urine now filled the room. Gwendolyn grimaced. Her skirt was wet.

A few days of this and she was already losing her resolve! How as she supposed to last a month? The thought of one full cycle was daunting, and Gwendolyn pushed it to the back of her mind. The only way through this was to take it one day at a time. Looking at the big picture would only weaken her.

"Hello?!" Gwendolyn dared call out. She was in desperate need of food and perhaps a quick wash if they would oblige. "Dalia?" Silence was her only answer. Concern ate away at her. She was sure that Dalia was meant to "reeducate" her after each training session with the twins. Yet she was here, alone. She'd never been left alone yet. The thought of what that might mean brought tears to her eyes.

A gurgle pierced the silence; it seemed overly loud to Gwendolyn as she sat alone. She tried repositioning her arms, which were now cramped and swore. She let out a cry as the chains rubbed against her raw, swollen wrists. Her earlier escape attempt had met with failure. Despair crushed Gwendolyn.

Gwendolyn turned her head to glance out the window. It was dark; she'd either been unconscious for a very long time or just passed out for a few moments. Moments later a bird fluttered in and landed on the window ledge, between two of the bars. It chirped and hopped forward slightly. Thoughts of being able to fly captivated Gwendolyn - to be able to take to the air and leave the wretched place behind.

"Go on!" She urged the bird. "Fly!" It chirped at her. "Go! Get out!"

"Look. Now she's talking to birds." While Gwendolyn had been distracted, Dalia had entered the chamber. She held a finger out, and the bird flew to her. "Wonderful creatures, aren't they? Simply beautiful." She smiled and handed the bird to Rhaen, who grabbed the bird with malicious joy. A terrible squawking filled the air. A bird in pain. Gwendolyn couldn't handle it! If she had the use of her hands she would have plugged her ears. Then, with a horrible crunch it stopped. Rhaen dropped the bird and brushed her fingers clean on her trousers - a smile flitted across her face.

"You see, Gwen," Dalia said, "even the freest of creatures cannot escape its fate. Wings will do you no good here." Rhetsae entered, bruises clearly evident on her face; Gwendolyn wondered if she and Rhaen had finally fought. She was carrying a cage. Gwendolyn paled. Another bird perched inside, blissfully unaware of what was happening. "Rhaen, if you will."

Rhaen knelt and unlocked the chains that bolted the chair to the ground. She slid them free from the loops and pulled the chair towards the window. "You will watch this."

"Do you know what happens when you clip a bird's wings?" Dalia asked. She looked at Gwendolyn. Her eyes skimmed over her body. She had lost weight in the few days she'd been there.

For some time, Gwendolyn didn't answer - considering Dalia's remark to be rhetorical. Yet, when she didn't go on, Gwendolyn dared to speak. "It can't fly."

"Correct. It can't fly. It may be able to control it's descent so it doesn't crash to the earth, but it will not soar." She opened the cage and gripped the bird firmly. "Do you know what happens when you break their wings?" This time she didn't wait for an answer. She mangled the bird's wings, paying little heed to its squawking or its claws or beak. She carried it to the window and held it out in the open.

"Please don't!" 

Dalia opened her hands and let the bird fall. The sound of its chittering was snatched away by the wind.