I wasn't sure what was happening. I was trapped in a dark and cold place but I didn't know why. The people here, they're not like the Claudes. They call me things like trash and monster. They push me around and make me fight others. People who are different. People like me... "Hey, girlie!" I looked up and saw one of the burly guards. "Yeah, you, princess. Mr. Wolf wants to see you." I shivered at that name. Mr. Wolf. He was the ma in charge. The man who made me into a show. The man who trapped me in a place where freedom was just a word. I stood up and felt the familiar burning sting as he wrapped two iron ropes around me. I'd learned that my kind hate iron. It burns us and leaves nasty red welts on our bodies. Whenever one of us rebels, they whip that person with iron ropes until they break. They say it's necessary to keep us in line. I say it's evil. I looked at the people in the cages as we walked by. Some of them I knew. Some of them I didn't. But there's one thing that we all have in common: We are all trapped. "Audrey!" I turned at the sound of my name and saw my old friend, Paul. "Audrey, you gotta get out of here! I had another vision and it's you! You're the one that'll save us! You gotta get out of here!" "Shut up, trash!" At that moment the guard advanced towards Paul letting my ropes drop. "Now, Audrey!" I took his advice and ran towards the nearest window. "Hey, get back here!" But it was too late. I jumped out and felt my wings take flight and lead me away from my dark prison. I heard the faint sound of the alarm and when I looked back, the prison was almost a speck. I knew I was finally free at last and that I had to free the others. The night air felt like a dream and when I saw the moon for the first time in eleven years, I felt like crying. My name is Audrey Merriweather. And I'm one of the last humans.
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My feet landed softly on the ground and my wings folded behind my back. The sun was just beginning to rise and its golden rays sent bright lights through the trees. I’d been flying for hours and truthfully, I wasn’t sure if I could fly any more. I laid down in the cool grass and closed my eyes to think. So much had already happened and I really didn’t know what to think. I wanted to free my friends, see the world, and just hide all at the same time. Talk about confusing. I pushed myself up and winced as my whole body screamed. “Okay, Audrey, calm down.” I mumbled to myself. Slowly, I stood up and looked at my surroundings. I’d flown pretty far and fast so I didn’t really know where I was. That was fine by me, as long as that prison was far away too. The forest was vast and dark which would probably make a fantastic hiding place. I’d heard before that some trees were hollowed out. When you climbed in, there’d be a tunnel that could lead to who knows where. Most of them where believed to have been covered up but there were some that still remained. If I could find one… *SNAP!* I turned around and looked behind me. If it was an animal, I could probably scare it off without hurting it. If it was a Circuit guard…well, I didn’t want to know what would happen if it was one of them. After a few minuets of hiding and listening, I decided that it was just an animal and went back to my search. I looked at every tree until I found the one I was looking for: A large oak with the initials T.L.H on it. I knew that it was the initials of the first leader of the Rebellion, Tomas Lysander Hills. I’d been told about a million stories about him. I traced my hands across the thick trunk and felt myself grin for the first time in ages as I found a small metal hook that acted as a knob. I wrapped my hand around it and pulled- *SNAP!! SNAP!!* I quickly stood up at my full height and spread my wings. Animals will be scared of how big I am and anyone else will run away. “Oh, put ‘em down, ya overgrown pigeon!” A girl’s harsh voice called out. My wings folded back into place and I watched as she stepped out of the shadows. I knew her the moment I saw her. She’d always been the trouble maker in the prison. She stole food, refused to fight in matches, and shouted back at guards if they shouted at her. You get the idea. “God, you’re a hard girl to follow.” Emma said as she pulled a few leaves out of her hair. “What? Nothing to say, birdie?” She leaned against a tree and looked at me with critical eyes. After a few minuets of silence I finally spoke. “Why did you follow me?” I asked. Emma rolled her eyes and said “Did you really think anyone would let you do this alone? You may be a brain, Audrey, but you need the brawn. And that where I come in.” “You could’ve told me that you were coming too. I would’ve been more prepared.” She smiled at me like I’d just told her that I had a pet unicorn named Melvin. “But where’s the fun in that?” I shook my head but I couldn’t it when I smiled. “So what are we doing?” She asked. “There’s one of the old tunnels in that oak. I’m pretty sure it will provide shelter, food, and supplies. Due to the volume of the tree and I think-key word think- that it will lead us north, probably towards an old town. It’s really interesting actually, because-” Emma interrupted me in mid explanation. “Does that mean it’ll get us far away from that prison?” She asked. “Um…yes.” “Then get in.” I opened the door and watched as she turned into a small cat and jumped in before I could even move. After a few minuets of waiting I finally heard her say “It’s good!” I slowly jumped in and soon joined Emma’s fast pace. We walked in silence. Whether it was from the fear of getting caught of the excitement of being free, I don’t know. Occasionally, one of us would try to say something or start up a conversation, but I don’t think either of us really knew what to say. Finally, I summoned the courage to ask the question I’d been wondering about for years. “Emma, the first time we meet, we were supposed to fight in the ring. So why didn’t you even try?” I asked. She paused for a second her eyes narrowed in concentration. “Because I didn’t want to hurt you. I looked into your eyes and I saw me. I realized that you were just as sacred as I was. I wouldn’t hurt you.” She said. “Besides…” she punched my arm with her rock hard fist and broke into a run. “I’m way tougher; I’d have beaten you in a second. It just didn’t seem fair!” She shouted as she ran. “Hey! Get back here!” I speeded after her, our laughter echoing through out the tunnel. Then out of the corner of my eye, I thought for just a minuet that I saw a shadow running off. And it didn’t belong to me or Emma
