The human bird shall take his first flight, filling the world with amazement, all writings with his fame, and bringing eternal glory to the nest whence he sprang.

-Leonardo Da Vinci

_______

My eyes snapped open. I was in a white room, trapped in a bird cage. I was still shifted, and the events of the night before roared back to me. I looked all around frantically, but there was nobody near.

"Calm down, Madelyn. Just be calm - we'll find a way out of here."

"But how? If I shift back - well , I can't - I'm in this tiny cage! And what about the others? Oh, this is bad."

I tried to get through the cage, but I couldn't. The gaps were miniscule; not even a hummingbird could fit through them!

"Just wait until they get back. Then, make a run for it."

"But what about the others?"

"You can come back for them. But it's important that you leave quickly. There's a slim chance that they've told many people, and your parents may come to capture you if that happened."

My parents. A sickening feeling filled my stomach. Memories of their attack rushed into my mind.

"But what are they chances that they'll come here?" I asked, trying to calm myself.

"If they know you're here, then they're large chances."

At that moment, a man strolled into the room. One hand held a tazer, and the other held a clipboard. He walked towards me.

"Well well," he said, and I glared at him "Looks like the little freak is awake."

I couldn't reply, as I was shifted, but I shot him a glare full of hate.

"Stop with those glares; it's not very polite." he said as he took notes. I sighed, then thought of a to irritate him. He couldn't observe me if he couldn't see me. I shifted into a hummingbird, then darted throughout the cage. Sure enough, he let out a frustrated growl. I mentally grinned. At least he was mad.

"You're not going anywhere. This is where you will stay unless you are being tested on. That's what you get for trying to escape. That and starting a riot. Some of them even escaped! So this is your punishment."

"Uhm... Ashlea? How am I supposed to get out of this mess?"

"Like he said; some of the shifters escaped. And they have you to thank for it. They'll come back and rescue you; I know it."

"But what if they fail... like I did?"

"You were unprepared, and it was just you and Trinity. But it sounds to me that more that just a few shifters escaped. And they'll probably be better prepared. Remember; shifters stick together. Just remember that, and you'll be fine."

"Ashlea, so much has happened in these past few days. And it's startling. I mean, who would've known that shapeshifters exist? It's kind of overwhelming, you know? It's cool, but overwhelming."

"Look at it this way; you're taking it a lot better than the rest of the world."

"I guess so. But look at how much chaos occurred. Answer this honestly; would everything be better for everybody if I had never found you, and I had never become a shifter?"

"Sure, bad things have come from it happening, but there's so much more good. It would've come out anyway; people were bound to find out. Even if you hadn't become a shifter. It's actually good that it happened this early on. If they had more advanced weapons, there would've been many fatalities."

"But there are so many shifters captured! And it's very possible that they'll be put through a fate worse than death!" I sighed, glancing at the man observing me. "This is all my fault."

"No, it isn't. Most young people make stupid decisions. What matters is that we learn from them, and use the experience to become better. Just trust me."

"I trust you. But I don't trust these scientists, and I don't trust myself. I threw all the shifters into this horrid chaos, and I need to fix it. Even if it kills me."

"You don't have to do it alone, Madelyn. And even if you had nobody else to support you, I would. Trust yourself, trust your friends and allies, and trust that everything will be alright."

The man began to speak. "Well, freak, it looks like my shift is up. The unlucky person in charge of watching you for the next two hours will be here in a few minutes. Don't go anywhere."

It wasn't like I could; I was stuck in this cold cage with no way out. Still, I waited, staring at the door. I shifted back into a canary, bored of flying about. I perched on the little bar. Then, a man walked in, a black mask covering all but his eyes and mouth. He covered the cage with a black sheet, and darkness overtook the cage. I shivered fearfully, trying to relax.

"Who is it?" I asked.

"I don't know. Maybe one of the escaped shifters came to rescue you. But what I don't know is how they managed to secure a job so quickly. My guess is that they didn't and they just snuck in."

The idea hadn't even occured to me. That was possible.

"Hey Ashlea," I began "Aren't shifters supposed to be able to communicate with other shifters no matter what form they're in?"

"Yes. If they're a shifter, they should be able to understand and communicate with you."

I decided to try. "Who is this?"

I didn't hear a reply, but I did hear an oddly familiar laugh. But it had a different tone to it; a tone that was malicious. I shuddered.

"...Ashlea?"

"Don't worry; they're probably just doing an act so that they can get you out of here."

But she didn't sound all that sure of herself. I shuddered as the cage rattled, and I heard the sound of the car roaring to life. I doubted that any of the shifters had a car; they lived in the wild! I tried to talk to them; even if it was a shifter - which I was now doubting - they wouldn't have to use an act anymore.

"Puzzled, aren't you." said a familiar voice "Allow me to clear everything up."

The sheet was pulled off, and what awaited me was shocking.

I was staring at the face of my dad.

A/N- Yes, I just did that. Sorry! :3

So, this is the last update until Thursday (unless I can get wifi access). And I'm leaving you on this major cliffie. :3.

Please comment, vote, share this with your friends and I'll see ya in the comments! Bye for now!

-Pride_Heart