There are four walls, the space entirely dark as ink except for a window, leaking rays of light on the dusty floors. In the middle, there is cage, with a small black bird trapped inside. I admire the way the bird struggles in the cage. Flapping its wings furiously in the steal bars. Its sharp movements similar to a tree hitting against a window on a windy day. The sound of its feathers hitting the cage is the sound of two metal pipes clashing into one another. I watch every move the bird makes even without words, I can sense the bird's cry for help. Freedom is not a gift given to everyone. For one man's freedom is different from another man.
After a while, the bird finally gives up. The fast movements come to a halt. It leans its petite body against the cage. It wings facing down and its head hanging low. In the silence, I can hear the soft pants of the bird. Soft as calming waves hitting the shore on a chilly morning. Then, the dark button eyes stare at me. Although, I cannot hear its thoughts, I know it is pitying me too. I myself, is locked and trapped in this unknown place. The only parts of me tattered, like scraps of fabric. Without any memory to grasp on to, a piece of identity to claim me. I have nothing, only the loneliness of this isolating walls and the bird. I stare at the bird, the way it is helplessly trapped in the cage. I might not remember who I am, but I can become the person I want to be.
I use my hands to break open the cage. Breaking the mental bars with no other than a burning desire. I let the mental inject itself into my skin. In the dark, I can only feel the trickle of the blood going down my hand, the way water drips from a faucet. I ignore the stinging, and use my strength to break the cage. The metal pieces lay on the floor. I take my hands to caress the bird. It stays in my hold without any hesitation. I touch the soft black feathers. They feel so soft under my touch, almost like velvet. It has been a while to touch something pleasant. Holding the bird, I became greedy, wanting to keep it all for myself. Without it, I will be all alone. In the dark, dusty room. Only companied by blank thoughts, of what freedom actually tastes on my tongue. But, I am not a monster.
I stand up, my legs weak from sitting for so long. I walk the few steps which felt like walking in mud. I raise the bird up to the window. The window is too small for me, but big enough for the bird. The sunlight shows the true beauty of the bird. The subtle greys and whites that are mixed into the black feathers. It eyes like small orbs, shining brightly in the light. I place the bird on the window edge. The bird uses its twig like feet and jump around the edge. Then, it takes a fly into the air. Feeling the wind pass through its wings. Finally it can taste freedom, after being hidden in the cage. The bird transforms into a dove, bright like light. The black turns into white that is pure as pearls. It shines furiously against the sunshine. It then flies away further into the sky, and I am no longer able to see it again. I trip back from staying on my toes. I fall on the hard floor, and I wake up from the glimpse of freedom. Unlike that bird I am can never be free. I look at the broken cage, maybe that is how this room will be someday. That desire I had today will come back again. It will control me, and force me to break these walls apart. Then I will finally be freed. Walk away from this terrible place, and feel the freedom against my skin. Look into the sunlight, and run away from this cage. Until that day, I will be stuck in my own cage, stripped away from the far away freedom.
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I honestly been thinking about writing a story like this for a while. It is dark in its own way. I feel like these short stories are going to have a dark meaning behind it so..... hope you enjoy. Lots of Love!
