As they grew older the mad scientists fluttered around her most as she hit every developmental milestone in a study succession.

  While Zephyr always took longer. It didn’t take long though for the mad scientists to marvel over Zephyr when after a good deal of time of simply observing his magic energy grew immensely overnight, his movements weren’t that of a toddling child but of a speeding terror.

  “Zephyr, do not.” She hissed out seeing his intense stare a prepared movement. His magic dipped and he turned that intense gaze on her. She focused on the food that had been laid out for them. She found that ignoring his horrific aspects made him at the very least too confused about her to act on anything else. Zephyr appeared right next to her, and she pushed out the plate. “You need to eat. We can worry about other people later. We need to grow big and strong so we can run away. You understand?” She asked him. He didn’t answer but took the plate and ate fistful at a time still eyeing her.

  He never really reacted to her. But she always felt he wanted to kill everything, but he hadn’t yet so maybe her requests meant something. She guessed she wouldn’t know until something happened.

  Faster then ever before and faster then she could even ignore he grabbed up one of the flash cards they left for them.

  “Shit, Zephyr.” She hissed out. In a tone that wasn’t at all childlike. And pushing past her normal authority she pointed to the spot next to her. “If we’re going to play you’re going to sit with me.” She insisted. To her surprise and relief he sat where she pointed and placed the card in front of her and pointed.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  It was of a beetle. One unlike any other she’d ever seen in her previous life. It was grey with shimmering lines of color. Zephyr stared right at her and she took it to mean that the beetle was her.

  “Yes, Zephyr?” She responded. Zephyr perked and touched his foot and pointed outside. Staring longingly toward the door she wished she could tell him yes.

  Before she could think of a way to redirect his attention. One of the mad scientists stepped over.

  “One you wish to go outside? Two get shoes out of the closet and take him.” They commanded and stepped away.

  She glared after them.

  Really if they were normal children, they wouldn’t even know what a shoe was or how to wear it.

  Still she did exactly what she was told.

  And put her own shoes on before helping Zephyr into his own.

  “They protect our feet from painful things.” She explained when he looked annoyed by them.

  Once again he seemed to give in but still watched her as if she did one wrong thing, she wouldn’t exist anymore.

  That though, was something to worry about later.

  Stepping outside there was grass everywhere and they were surrounded by thick woods. The stone path from the door died off before leading anywhere. There was no sign of other people. Of transportation. Of communication.

  She didn’t think they’d be that lucky.

  No matter. She took a rock and made markings on trees as they walked.

  Eventually she stopped and turned to head back.

  Zephyr grabbed her and motioned out.

  “We’re too little. I’m not as strong as you so I can’t walk as far. And we don’t know how far away we are from anything. We need people we can run to or an understanding of where we are at least so we can figure out how to escape without getting caught. If we get caught they’ll take away things they’ve given us.” She explained.

  Zephyr continued to look out and she turned and headed back. When she turned back he was right behind her looking around as if memorizing everything.

  Maybe they both would survive this all.