A Caged Girl's Hope

The young woman struggled against the bars. "I've g-got to bl-break f-free!" She took a running start and rammed against the bars hoping they would break, but, alas, they stood as strong as ever. She sat down exhausted drained mentally and physically, while forced to have a front row veiw of the destruction of her city. She sighed and felt near tears. She had never felt this... useless. Her eyes widened in fear as she heard a door open. Knowing who it was, she skittered to the back of the cage in the safety of the shadows.

"Hello my darling!" A calm, sweet voice called. A man about her age with blonde hair and glasses stepped in carrying a plate of food. He gave her an eerily warm smile as he said, "Are you hungry?"

She didn't speak a word. Her heart fluttered with the faint hope he might open the door, but he slid the bowl of soup, spoon, and bread in through the bars. She thought bitterly, "If I don't eat I might be able to slip through the bars." She glared at him hoping he could leave her in peace, but this he did not.

Instead he silently steadied her. His complentating blue eyes greatly contrasted against the dark room. He spoke carefully, "Ever since we were kids... I always... admired you." She rolled her eyes at the old news. He continued, "You are the most awestricking female I have met. Actually you are the most intelligent, beautiful, paradiscal being I have ever had met."

She scowled in frustration. She was angry at his sincere tone, at his armourous attitude that kept getting in the way, and the fact that she didn't know what "paradiscal" meant when she could normally tell you what every word in the dictionary was.

He smirked. "Paradiscal. An adjective meaning heavenly." She narrowed her eyes at him. He kneeled down in front of the cage and put his hand in. "It... pains me to see you cripled like this. But this," He stood up gesturing to the room and the apoclyptic outside, "All of this- was for you." He looked at her his mouth smiling widely. He looked as giddy as a child on Christmas. "I wanted to prove to you that I was worthy of you." He looked at her directly. "I could give you all you ever dreamed." He said in a business like tone, "It only take one thing..."

She glared at him and said in a gruff, blunt tone, "No."

His face fell. It went nearly blank, puzzled by what she had said. A thin smile soon etched on his face as he said, "Of course. You're just shaken, he gave a slight chuckle, "by what all has happened today. I'll let you rest and think things through, my love." He gave her a hopeful look as he started towards the door before saying, "Don't do anything that we'll both regret."

As the door shut, the woman let a breath of relief come out. His offer became more and more favorable. On one hand she didn't want to be his caged bird forever, but on the other every hour she waited the less city and lives were there to be saved. She let herself release a few tears as she thought, 'Don't give up hope. I always win. I'll break out of here... and save everyone. Like usual.' And after a bit of repeating that to herself she almost believed it.