The Cage

After being trapped in a daze of fear, insecurities and suffering, she comes to a sudden realization, "Pain and suffering does not bound us to a life filled with regrets, it is but our own selves that does, believing that all hope is lost, we trap ourselves in a cage of limits but I will not allow myself to be a prisoner, I will find the power to live a life free from the shackles of guilt and fear."

...5 years ago...

Theresa (Tesa) Frederick, the daughter of Marquis Thomas Frederick, was the apple of the eye of the entire household. Her Platinum Gold hair would shine as if it was a bar of gold and her majestic red jeweled eyes are said to shimmer more beautifully than rubies. With her undoubtedly charming looks and her cheerful attitude everyone she meets can't help but dote on her.

She was kind to everyone and loved everyone so dearly but out of all the people she has met she cares for her twin brother the most, Theodore (Theo) Frederick. He also has red jeweled eyes but unlike Tesa, he has pitch black hair, the same of their late mother, Marquise Emilia Frederick.

Both twins had a jolly and outgoing personality but after the death of the Marquise from a mysterious illness, the sweet Theo who was extremely clingy to the marquise turned cold and aloof. The household mourned her death for 6 months. Every day the Marquis would visit her grave and gave her flowers.

The twins would also visit her grave whenever they were free. They would talk about their day as if she was still with them. Despite their frequent visits, everyone knew the household would never be the same again.

Theo locked himself in his room, only coming out to visit his mother's grave. The maids would deliver his meal to his room and then asked to leave. Although his days may seem gloomy, their was always a glimmer of sunshine that would never fail to make him feel warm. Tesa would visit his room to play with him. Sometimes Tesa would bring her violin and play him a song.

Nearly a year has passed Theo still locked himself in his room. Despite Tesa's efforts to delight him, he was still trapped in a state of depression. One night he planned to meet his end. He could not anymore take the pain and suffering he felt. Just when he planned to jump off the roof a warm feeling suddenly clung to him.

Tesa held him tight and shouted, "I know! I also miss mommy so much but do you think this is what mommy would have wanted you to do!?". "Why do I have to bare this pain? There is no need for me to carry on! A life with just pain and suffering is a life I do not want to live in! please Tesa, just let go"he rebutted as tears fell from his eyes.

"I will never let you go, You complain of the pain you are feeling and just like that you want to give up! Why do you not notice the people who care about you?" she yelled while crying.

"People who care about me?", he asked with a soft tone. "Do you not see how much people care about you? Father, the servants and ME! I visit you everyday because I care about you so so much and because just like you I also feel the pain but I do my best to smile so that your pain will lessen because the last thing I want is to lose people I love!", she said to him with a voice that semmed so desperate and destroyed inside.

"I never realized how much you cared, I-I'm so sorry", he said with great regret. "Apologize later, get down I don't want you to get hurt" but a sudden gust of wind came and Theo lost balance and started to slip. Tesa held him tight but she didn't have enough force to pull him up.

"Tesa, let me go if you won't both of us will fall" Theo said desperate to not endanger her. "What do you expect me to do? I can't see you get hurt, my god! I just told you that, did you not listen to a word I said" she said jokingly despite her in great fear.

"Listen, we're twins, you are my dearest brother, my only brother, my greatest friend, I would be a fool if I were to let you go", she added then looked as him with a smile.

Inside his head he tells himself, "She smiles despite the situation we are in, She is clearly trembing but she doesn't want me to worry and wants me to have hope in her but if she won'tlet go both of us will fall, I can live in a world where I am tortured day and night but I can not live in a world without seeing her smile so Tesa...."

......never stop smiling for me"...

Their hands then separated and Theo began to fall. Tesa screams his name and when all hope seemed lost a dark shadow catches Theo and hugs him tightly. The cloaked man tells him,"Theo, I'm so sorry, I have failed you as a father". "No dad, I'm sorry.

I was being selfish not thinking of your feelings and also Tesa's, I do not deserve to be your son."he said crying. "Theo, remember this, no matter what happens I will love you always, that will never change.", after those words he gave Theo a hug.

"HEY THEO, ARE YOU ALRIGHT? CAN YOU HEAR ME, WHO IS THAT MAN YOU'RE HUGGING?", Tesa yelled from the 3rd floor. "Your sister is waiting let's go to your room", then he carried Theo to his room where Tesa was waiting.

Upon entering the room Tesa gave Theo a big hug. "Daddy, the man in the cloak was you? I never thought you were that cool, anyways, what took you so long?!"she said the moment she saw his face. "I overheard your con-" but Tesa interrupts him and ordered both of them to sit down on the floor which both of them did obediently.

She talked about what would have happened if things went south and scolded Theo for his recklessness. When ever one of them tried to interrupt her she would give them a cold and frightful gaze and then they both closed their mouths then listened to her.

In the end of her discussion she told Theo and pinched his ear, " You went too far today! Your recklessness is not to be underestimated-". "Dad, help me", theo whispered but the Marquis just looked away knowing that if he did it will only make Tesa even angrier."Don't you dare ask help from daddy, Are you even listening?" she says angrily.

Theo nods then she suddenly hugs him,"Brother promise me you won't do something like that ever again!" she tells him as her tears fall. "I promise you I will not do anything like this ever again, I will never do anything to make Tesa cry so please stop crying" he replies. "That's a promise okay? You will stay with me and daddy forever" then she hugs him even tighter.

As they hugged each other, the Marquis couldn't help but smile, thinking of how blessed he is to have such wonderful children. Tesa then calls him,"Daddy, why are you just sitting there get in here" then the Marquis hugs both of them.

Ever since that night the household became more cheerful and Theo started to go out more, despite being a bit aloof, it was such a great improvement from before. Out of everyone in the Household it was clear that the happiest person and the cause of the sudden change was none other than Tesa.

She was very relieved to see her brother more active again and was especially happy to see things become normal and peaceful or that is what she thought...

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