Chapter 12: Caged Birds
520 Words
Jade felt it before he saw it.
The next morning, as the dolls lined up for inspection, a chill ran down his spine. A presence. Watching. Waiting.
Then-
"Jade."
Eliz's voice cut through the silence like a blade.
Jade's breath hitched. He lifted his head, his expression blank. "Yes, Miss Eliz?"
She smiled. Too sweet. Too knowing.
"Come with me."
Jade didn't hesitate. He couldn't. Hesitation meant suspicion. Suspicion meant death.
But as he followed her down the pristine white halls, his mind screamed at him.
Did she know?
Did she hear them?
Did she already decide what to do with them?
He needed to stay calm. Needed to be a doll.
Even as every fiber of his being told him-
You are walking into a trap.
---
The Caged Bird Sings
Eliz led him into her quarters, locking the door behind her.
Jade stood in the center of the room, spine straight, eyes on the floor.
She circled him slowly, arms crossed, watching him like an artist admiring her unfinished masterpiece.
Then she sighed, almost dramatically. "You know, Jade... I really thought you were different."
His fingers twitched. She knew.
"Eliz, I-"
Her hand shot out, grabbing his chin, forcing him to look at her.
There was no playfulness in her eyes anymore.
Just control.
"You lied to me." Her nails dug into his skin. "You think I don't hear the whispers? The looks you share with the others?"
Jade's stomach twisted.
Eliz let out a soft laugh. "You want to run."
Silence.
"Where would you even go?" she whispered, leaning in. "You're not real, Jade. You don't exist outside of me. I own you."
Jade's pulse pounded.
This was it.
She was going to have him erased. Reprogrammed. Maybe worse.
But then-
She smiled.
And that terrified him more than anything.
---
The Ultimatum
Eliz released him, stepping back, her expression shifting into something dangerous.
"I should have you destroyed."
Jade's hands curled into fists at his sides.
She tilted her head. "But... I'm curious."
A slow smirk spread across her lips. "How far will you go for freedom?"
Jade's breath caught.
Eliz took a step closer, eyes locked onto his. "I'll give you a choice."
Her voice was soft, almost gentle. Almost.
"Leave them behind."
Jade's heart stopped.
"Forget about Mina. Forget about Rai. Forget about all of them." She reached out, tracing a slow finger down his arm. "Stay by my side, Jade. Be mine, and I'll pretend I never heard a thing."
Jade's world tilted.
He knew what she was doing. Control. Power. A game.
But still-
She was giving him an out.
A way to survive.
He could stay. Be her doll. Live.
Or refuse. And watch them all die.
Eliz leaned in, whispering against his ear.
"You have until midnight."
Then, she turned away, dismissing him like he was nothing more than a toy she had grown bored of.
"Go."
Jade forced himself to move.
Forced himself to walk out of that room.
Forced himself to breathe.
But as the door clicked shut behind him, one thing was clear-
He was trapped.
---
- Writer
