~That night~

I stayed awake not wanting to sleep and end up like before. I sat still on the cell bed as I watched Lilly sleep peacefully. "Hey you awake?" Whispered Mathew as he sat up and turned around, "Go to sleep, your body is already exhausted from sleepless nights and don't say you need to be alert for danger I will stay awake tonight." I replied calmly as I faced his shadowy figure. "But you can't stay awake you won't have energy for tomorrow" replied Mathew trying to convince me to go to sleep.

"No. You need sleep more, this won't be my first sleepless night in the cold." I answered as I look out the bared  window that had a cold breeze blowing through at a steady pace. "You don't always have to take the blows you know. You... You aren't there anymore." Explained Mathew as he gazed over at me with a worried gaze.

I ignored his gaze and trained it on the now shivering lily as she cuddled up to the plush underneath the thin scratchy blanket. I grabbed my blanket and managed to place it over lily and her blanket giving her more warmth than before. I walked back to my bed and started sharpening the sword on the stone bed and replied "You know I can't stay away, I'll be back there wether I like it or not. It's not my choice. Now go to sleep." He looked reluctant but gave in and cast one more glance at me before laying down and falling asleep.

I continued to sharpen the sword till it was sharp enough to give someone a paper cut at the least amount of contact. I reached under the bed and picked up the music box, opened it up and started to play the calming tune that played softly through the night drifting whatever had heard it's song to a peaceful sleep but never the one who was playing it.

I stopped playing it after awhile and sat in the darkness waiting for the first streaks of warmth of the morning. Sitting in silence too aware to sleep and fearful of having the same nightmare playing through my mind.

The noise of the door opening sounded through the prison as it open and shut with a thud. I looked up and stared where the stairs ended infront of the cells there stood a boy with black hair and purpleish pinkish eyes.

"Hey" he said quietly as he came and stood near the cell bars. "What are you doing here?" I questioned. "Is it bad to come and see an old childhood friend?" He questioned. "I guess not" I replied. "Been awhile hasn't it? About 12 years since I last saw you, you use to be short and the opposite of scary now you are big and scary like you always wanted to be" Joked Luka as he sat down back facing me as he leaned against the bars. I walked over and leaned my back against the bars opposite him. "Yeah, you were so wimpy and small back then now your all grown up and mature. Do you still like to draw?" I answered as I felt tears pricking my eyes." I have gotten better I'm like a professional now. It's a bit sad I didn't have my favourite person in the world to grow up with though. But if I may ask how did you survive the fire? I thought I was the only one who survived." Softly asked Luka. "I ran out after I saw my parents burn, I ran into the forest not stopping afraid that if I look back I would see the fire chase me. But I still found myself in the hands of danger" I explained as I tried not to cry but it didn't work out I started to cry quietly.

Luka turned around and turned me around as he gave me a tight hug as I  hugged him back trying to stop my tears from falling. He held me till my tears had stopped and I was now only sniffling. "Thanks for that, I really needed to vent" I said quietly. "It's okay I needed that to. It's not like you can vent to anyone that relates to the situation." He replied lightening the mood

"Hey wanna switch I haven't done it in awhile?" I asked a bit excited. "Yeah sounds good but half switch or full switch?" Answered Luka "Half switch. Full switch is too dangerous to do in public. Ok on one two three switch!" I counted down. I watched as wisps of light danced around as we switched. The light soon faded and I looked up at Luka's head he now has two Ram horns on top of his head along with two goat ears perked up in an excited way. I reached up and felt my head, my snow leopard ears were as soft as ever but they slanted in away to show sadness. Switchers main features show the strongest emotion they are feeling. My hand reached behind me as I felt my tail lay limp on the cold ground.

"At least you can see your tail" Complained Luka seeing my sadness. "Heh. At least your happy, mine is just showing weakness." I replied in a quiet tone. "Who knew a mountain goat would ever be friends with a snow leopard snow leopard. I mean I know I'm lucky to have such a good friend as you. " Explained Luka. "You always know how to lighten the mood don't you. Well you should leave the sun is going to rise soon and the guards will get here soon" I told Luka as I touched my ears once more before feeling them fade as I switched back to human switch. "Okay. See you later alligator" replied Luka as he got up and I watched as his animal features faded. "In awhile crocodile" I said as i walked back to my bed and laid down waiting in silence. The peaceful silence that had surrounded us around the prison was soon to be broken.

The door closed signalling Luka had left and about 10 minutes later it had opened back up followed by loud  steps and chatter. I sat up and watched as two different guards from before decended the stairs. "Shhhhh they are sleeping!" I aggressively whispered at them they got quieter. They walked over to me and opened up the cell, this is when I noticed they were holding hand cuffs, sword and shield.

"Get up. Lord wants an audience with you." Demanded one of the guards with distaste.

Word count: 1111 *-*