Caged Birds Will Fly

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Chapter One: Welcome to Elevrly

H E L E N
As the moon reached its peak, footsteps could be heard by two beings concealed by the dark by a cloak as they escaped through the forest; the wolves waiting patiently for their next meal. I crouched down on dead leaves, covering myself, saving Eli. Mother was dead. Father gone. Eli and I, abandoned. I sucked in a breath, clutching the brooch in my hand; a piece of jewelry from my mother. Pink jewels dotted with clear gems laced with beads that braided itself into my hair. I gazed up at the moon that lit up the Darkling Woods. The wolves howled in the distance. With the earth's tint coating my feet, I began to run. The pines scratched my arms, as I peered over a bush; a twig caught my foot as I reached out, pulling myself over. Eli followed carefully behind, breathing heavily. I looked over, "How're you holding up back there?", He drives his boot into the soft ground, "Still alive and in one piece". I look back at him: glowing green eyes, pale freckled skin, same eyebrows as me, and light strawberry-blonde hair. My little brother. He looked so much like Mother; I resembled Father with my oval pale face, blue eyes, and jet black hair. Reaching the cliff's jagged edge, I caught my breath. The wolves paced at my feet, inches from executing the kill. I looked down, then at the wolves. 'Forgive me, Eli', I whispered to myself. I took a breath and shoved Eli over. His face a mask of horror, shock, and... anger. Taking my knife, I stab at the wolf that lunges, sinking its fangs into my right shoulder. "Aghh!", I bellowed. I leap over the cliff and dive until I reach Eli, "I guess we're meeting Mother earlier than expected". We link hands as I closed my eyes as we sank deeper into the darkness. I regret nothing. Not now. Not ever. 

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My back ached as I got up. I should be dead. I lay my head down onto the pillow, staring up at the ceiling. I turned to my side, only to find Eli not there. I scrambled up, looked around, and shock enclosed me. Is he dead? No, then how am I alive? I frantically look around the room: it was large with a drawer, desk, closet, and dressing room. Next to that was the bath, training room, and washroom. A blue-eyed maid addressed me timidly, fiddling with her caramel braids. She has a frail figure. She seemed a least two years younger than me. She shuddered as she caught me looking. She whispered a 'good day, my 'lady' and went to my closet. I sat upright onto the bed, stretching. She brought out a low, simple dress with a white-collar. She placed me into the pale lavender gown, avoiding my gaze. The fabric glided onto my thin frame, ugly. It wasn't me. I stared into the mirror; puffy, red eyes, pale skin, sadden dead-like eyes, and an overall lost appearance. That was what I looked like. I buttoned up the collar as I thought about what happened: Father leaving, the fire, losing Eli, the wolves, and the leap off the cliff. "What the hell happened?", I murmur. I turned to face her, "What's my name?"

"Helen Matthews"

"What is my occupation?"

"You are the third child of Duke Henrald. Adopted"

Ha...ha, what is this? I sit there in silence, my head pounding. I search my mind for anything that can help me. Only a sliver of it remands... but it is enough. For now. I wave her out, searching for the library. If this was real...then I need to know more if I want to survive and save Eli. The hallway was lined with pictures of Queens and Kings, along with Nobles. I stopped at a portrait of a middle-aged woman with pitch-black hair; her blue eyes filled with hatred and power. I shivered as a word popped into my mind: Mother. This was my mother, my cold, heartless mother. She was my "Step-mother". Not my beautiful, poised, Mother who gave birth to me. My lovely mother was replaced. I clenched my fist. I touch the frame, gently letting the memories sink in. They are horrible, deadly memories that I felt my legs begin to give way. "She should be dead already"