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Birds belonged in cages, everybody knew that. A bird was allowed barely a breath of air out in the open, then it was back behind the same bars… And if it flew away…?
Mathason had no one. He lost everything, again. Once again, he packed everything up and returned to the foster home.
Too loud, too disobedient, too difficult.
Not to mention those horns atop his head, and he was contaminated. His eye was…
“I’m not keeping that wretched valetudinarian in my home - he’ll mar us all!”
Mathason flinched as the voice rang in his head once more. He was a good boy, why did no one like him…?
“Hi!” A voice snapped him out of it, and he turned to find a little boy - probably close to his age, who was swinging with a huge grin. “I’m Madden, what’s your name?”
“...Mathason.” His voice cracked just a little, and he glanced down at the ground, moving his feet around, picking at the dirt. “I’m… Mathason.”
Madden kicked against the ground, swinging up high. “Why are you sad, Mathason?”
“Hey! I’m not!” Mathason argued, puffing his cheeks. He didn’t want to talk, did he have to?
“O-Oh…Okay.” Madden answered quietly, then immediately changed the subject. “Wanna swing with me?”
“...Okay…”
Birds don’t deserve freedom, not unless they fight for it. Not unless they fly to freedom.
And Mathason…his wings were broken.
Every family kicked him out, discarded him like rubbish. He was hated. Everywhere. By everyone.
Except for Madden.
At least there was no more foster home. They were older now, and the Followers of Our Lord took care of their needs. The Lord took care of their needs.
Mathason lost everything, except his best friend.
Until…
Suddenly, Madden was too busy for him. Prophet duties, or something.
He wasn’t mad, just…Why did it have to happen?
If it was him, he would’ve still cleared time for Madden! Why was his friend being so…
Stuck-up?
He never should’ve trusted a soul. Everyone left. Everyone cared only for their own benefits.
No one wanted to free a polluted little bird like himself.
He didn’t have a damn choice. He simply had to sit there and watch - watch as Madden had everyone wrapped around his finger. Watch as Madden spoke to everyone but him.
Was it his horns…? His ailment…? Was he too loud? Too disobedient? Too difficult!?
“Why, Lord…?” Mathason’s voice was quiet. He was alone in his chamber, staring up at the ceiling. “What did I do wrong? Why do they all hate me?”
…
”Why, Lord? Why do you hate me!?”
He was a good man. Why did no one like him?
Then came the prophecy.
Nobody believed Madden when he relayed it, and truthfully? Mathason didn’t believe it either.
It couldn’t be true. Things didn’t work that way, and Madden was an annoying, attention-seeking liar!
“Why don’t they believe me…?” Madden asked quietly one night, and was met with silence. “Mathason, you believe me, right!? You know it’s true! You know The Lord is-”
“Goodnight, Madden.”
“I’m being serious, Mathason!” Madden retorted, then sighed, frowning. “Fine, goodnight. Sleep well.”
…
“Madden is a liar.”
Everyone heard it, everyone said it, everyone thought it.
The Lord is stronger than this. He’s far too powerful to-”
“Madden is a liar. He’s trying to push you from your faith, he’s trying to hog all of our Lord’s affection.”
“It can’t be true, the Lord is omniscient, he cannot simply lose all his-”
“Madden is a LIAR!”
“Mathason…What are you doing!?” Madden cried out, the chains hurt, a lot. He was tied up, for everyone to see.
He was getting executed, and his best friend stood right in front of him, watching.
“Mathason!”
Birds never deserved freedom, those who tried to soar away must be maimed, and locked away.
And yet now, Mathason wondered, was he really the bird, watching helplessly from the cage…?
Or was he the one who locked it away in the first place…?
“Goodnight, Madden.” He finally answered, tensing slightly as he turned on his heel.