The Armor She Wears

Mechanical Boy

Fitz has heard his sister leave. But he still didn't get up.
He heard Keefe yelling at Mr. Forkle. But he still didn't get up.
His mind whirred softly in his brain like a well oiled machine. He input information and his mind sorted it and tucked it away. It had been like this ever since the war had started. He had realized that emotions were harmful to survival, so he blocked them out.
Fitz sighed when Keefe yelled a third time and sat up. The stone floor was freezing but Fitz didn't care. He changed into some of the fur clothing provided by the maid and started walking down the stairs. As he walked, the sun rose and the windows shined with light. Fitz ignored this, beauty was harmful.
He peeked around trying to find Biana, but she was gone. His heart began to race and his mind kept replaying awful scenarios. Fitz closed his eyes and blocked out the emotions. His heart slowed down and his brain categorized the information like it should have. He breathed out and thought maybe Mr. Forkle had seen her.
"Mr. Forkle?" Fitz stepped around the corner.
Mr. Forkle seemed surprised and relieved to see Fitz. "Yes, here come sit"
He took the seat next to Keefe and asked, "Have you seen Biana? She got out of her bed last night but I can't find her"
Mr. Forkle placed a hand on Fitz's shoulder, but he flinched at the emotion. "No, I haven't seen her. We could send someone"
Fitz screeched his chair and stood up. "No. I'm sure she is just playing some prank"
He walked away and headed to the fields. The powder snow had melted and hardened into a sheet of slippery ice. Fitz noticed multiple footsteps in the snow and bent down to see. The smaller ones belonged to Biana, but the bigger ones could have been anyones.
Fitz sucked in a breath and let his terrified emotions wash out of him. Biana couldn't have been taken by the Neverseen. What would they want with her?
Fitz cursed and looked to the horizon. The steep valley walls would be too hard to climb with a drugged body. But the shadowy forest would give them cover under the moonlight. Fitz ran to the stables and grabbed the first harnessed horse he saw.
As soon as he was on, the horse bolted out the stable and Fitz steered him to the forest. Right before they entered, the horse stopped and refused to move. Fitz left him there and traveled on foot, following the foot steps.
Another pair had join them and there must have been done resistance from Biana.
The footsteps abruptly stopped in the middle of a clearing and Fitz's brows furrowed. He heard a weird clicking sound behind him and turned only to see an arrow strike into his chest. Fitz collapsed and his world went dark.