The Prophet's Songbird

                                     I dream of the sea,

“Say uh, pal? Where ya headed now? I know I must sound like a pest but this’ll let me know if’n I should keep followin’ you ‘r not!”

His time with her was brief, asking her just a few routine, general “how are you feeling?” questions. Having been confirmed by her that everything was fine, he bid her a good day and exited the library, all while under the watchful eye of Songbird.

“Well, everything seems to check out fine. And as you can see, I have caused no harm or ill towards the girl.” Placing his hat on his head and his arms through his coat, he then hefted up his medical bag. “And everything was as it should be. I’ll be taking my leave now, so you needn’t worry about me further. Until next week, that is when I come back to check up on the girl. Good day, Mr. Songbird. Be well.”

Elizabeth answered the man’s questions as she normally did, eyeing Songbird and giving him a smile. As if to relieve his worries. She was always good at reading Songbird, and very smart. Songbird gave her a small smile as the pair left.

“I am aware you wouldn’t, but I still should expect the worst.” Songbird replied, watching as the man prepared to leave. “I won’t worry too much about it.” Songbird smiled, “Good day to you too.” Songbird opened the door for the man and closed it after he left, sighing softly. Gods he wished he didn’t have to go through this again.

“Do you know where Miss Elizabeth is at the moment? I’d like to check on her for a moment, if that’s something you’ll permit.” Dr. Steinman was determined to do whatever he wanted regardless with Songbird’s answer, but he still took to asking. The other was obviously stronger and was designed to protect the girl at all cost…but Steinman was one of the girl’s physicians. If anyone had a right to check on her, it would be him.

“I believe she may be in the library.” Songbird said. She could also be in his room. He’d often find her hiding in his walk-in closet, waiting for him to find her. It was a little game she’d play, to test his location skills. Songbird had a strong feeling that the girl was in the library, so he didn’t bother mentioning it. Songbird was glad that he’d asked, and felt relieved when he had.

One of the many things that irritated Songbird about the physicians was their belief that they had a right to her. He knew they were only here to care for her, but he was here to protect her. For all intents and purposes, he was the girl’s guardian, not them.

“Ah, yes. Everything is as I left it. Though with a few additional drawings, I see.” He smiles at Songbird. “Did you do some of these? Or do we have another Da Vinci on our hands?” The notion isn’t too absurd; Elizabeth was beginning to show many signs of being a prodigy in quite a few fields. After deeming everything to his liking, and noting no notable physical aggression from the other, Steinman saw fit to move on.

“Where to next? How about the room where she typically eats her meals? I might as well check to see if everything is clean and suitable.”

The young girl's hands trembled and her mouth went dry as the desert, stomach twisting into uncomfortable knots of anxiety, the pulse of her blood steadily rushing in her ears. Elizabeth felt like she was going to be sick. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing Songbird say. Her arms defensively crossed over her chest, lips parting open then shutting again. What could she say?

She had gone so very long without really knowing who she was, where she came from, and why, WHY, she had to live in isolation. And even in light of this revelation, assuming it was true, Elizabeth didn’t feel any closer to understanding anything about herself. If she was truly kidnapped, why her? What cruel twist of fate had led to her being seperated from her real parents?

Songbird nodded. He’d begin investigating after they’d eaten, taking a few more bites of his dinner. He watched as she processed the information, sighing softly to himself. He knew it would be too much for her, but he swore to her he wouldn’t lie. And he didn’t. He felt this was the beginning to the repair of their relationship, though he coudl have been wrong. Her quiet voice bothered him, but he said nothing on the matter.

Fitzroy. Songbird didn’t want to touch that subject. He didn’t know much, other than what everyone had spoken about. “Daisy Fitzroy worked for Comstock.” Songbird explained, “When Lady Comstock was alive I’d see Daisy nearby. I’d assume she was a servant. The story goes that one night, while she was praying, strangled the woman. Daisy is notorious for trying to end discrimination among the black and Irish communities here, and would stop at nothing to do so.”

She searched her mind for that memory, but came up empty. She didn’t recall that ever happening, but Elizabeth trusted him not to lie to her. Why would he make up something so cruel? “But I’m older and healthy now,” she insisted. “I’m positive we can think of a way out. He can’t keep us here forever.” Her heart felt ready to burst from her chest as she considered their chances. If they were quick enough, if they left Columbia hastily, Comstock would never have to know. Then, soon enough, the Prophet would realize that his poor, sweet lamb had run away with a shepherd of her own, far away from his evil influence. “What if we went at night? You do have a key, don’t you?” No one below would recognize her, and Comstock wouldn’t realize their absence while he was away in bed, sleeping.

Songbird watched Elizabeth with care. Escaping would sound easier than it would be done. “You are.” Songbird said, “And you’d probably be more likely to hold your own out there.” Songbird paused when she mentioned finding a way out. He’d longed to. He wanted to take her away from here, but where in Columbia could they go? “He can’t. I know he can’t.” Songbird agreed.

“Going at night would be wise.” Songbird said, “I do still have the key.”

Her fork slipped out of her fingers and clattered onto her dinner plate at Songbird’s response. People died because of her?! The thought was appalling and  Elizabeth’s features contorted into a look of both confusion and horror at the answer to what she thought was a simple question. “‘What?!” The single word hissed past her lips filled with incredulous anger.

”Of course a human being can’t be conceived and born in that short amount of time! It isn’t even remotely biologically possible!” Elizabeth exclaimed. The individuals that kept the girl locked away in her Tower had been careful to censor what she read, but she did have some books that outlined basic human anatomy and biology. And there was nothing in them that even hinted that such a fallacy could be true. And Lady Comstock?! Dead?

Her restless mind was reeling from what she had just learned and she couldn’t suppress the flood of emotions that came bubbling to the surface at the unknown and potentially sinister possibilities of her origins.

Songbird figured he’d said too much when she dropped her fork. He placed his hand over his mouth, watching her nervously. He’d said too much. He knew that Comstock wouldn’t be coming for him, but he didn’t like worrying Elizabeth. She needed to know, though.

Songbird nodded at what she said. “I figured you’d know that much.” Songbird admitted, “Kidnapping is only for those who can’t have their own children. So, if I had to guess, Comstock or Lady Comstock couldn’t conceive. Their only alternative was taking you.”

Patrick was easy to convince as a rule. He wasn’t a parasite, he was sure, but he liked to fix things. He liked to save people. Like his father. Little Sisters are actually little girls? Ok. Time to save them. A knight in shining armor to save the day. That would be him. And then the girls would owe him a favor.

Jason smiled at the lad as well. His willingness to help was also admirable. Jason had done almost the exact same thing when Tenenbaum mentioned the plasmid, but just like with him she refused. He would have gone and gotten a plasmid just to get this one, but he didn’t want to rely on ADAM for the rest of his life.

“Oh, you’re done?”

He shoves his hands in his pockets in desperate search.