Page 20 of His Captive

"It’s beautiful Mill," I agree. Admiring the way her eyes glisten as they watch its colorful wings beat against the glass. She stretches herself out in the long grass in front of me. Placing the jar between us so we can both admire her latest catch.

"Why do you think they’re so colorful?" She switches her eyes from the butterfly across to me, as usual, oblivious to the fact that I find her more captivating than any other creature on the planet.

"I guess it’s to make them look pretty so other butterflies want to mate." I shrug.

"Ewww, that's gross." She wrinkles up her nose in disgust.

“Come on Ethan, get the book. Let’s find out what its name is.”

I reach for my satchel and pull out the butterfly book that I always keep with me. I’ve been walking Millie home from school ever since the first day I came to Cannonville. My dad works for her parents and we lived in the small cottage on the estate they own. I bypass the shortcut I could take through the fields and walk past Millie’s just so we can spend an extra half an hour together before and after school.

On days like today, when she knows her mom is at her woman’s group and her dad will still be at work, we don’t rush back. We change our route and walk along the stream that borders the Sorrento estate. Rich with lotus plants, it’s the perfect place for spotting butterflies.

And on a warm sunny day like today provides the perfect scenery for me to admire Millie against.

I never take for granted the beauty of the place where I’ve found myself. My family may not be rich like Millie's are. But, who needs money when you can fill your lungs with fresh air, and dip your toes into a running stream.

Just being in Millie’s presence is all I’ve needed since Mom left us and Dad traveled here to get a job.

I flick through the pages of the book until I find the picture that replicates the butterfly Millie caught. Placing the book in front of her, I roll on to my back, resting my hands behind my head, and listen as she reads from the page.

“The Cerulean Snow Tail...goodness Ethan, its rare…only 1,340 estimated to be left. What a precious find.” Her eyes widened to their full potential and my heart flutters in my chest as rapidly as the captured insect’s wings beat inside the jar.

Millie Montgomery, my own rare beauty, with eyes that can't be matched, not even by the vibrant blues of a rare beautiful butterfly.

I hear them coming before I see them, Sorrento and his disciples. No doubt on their way to ruin our fun.

Sorrento and his family are rich just like Millie's. Both families live in big houses with long drives, they drive fancy cars and have people who work for them.

People like my father.

Millie must hear the boys coming too, because her smile fades and she quickly scurries to her feet.

"Come on. We'll go and release her over in the orchard." Her voice fills with fake enthusiasm, and I know exactly what she’s doing. She knows how Sorrento likes to taunt me and how he always manages to get a reaction. Especially when he turns his taunts to her. She also knows that if I get caught fighting, I’ll be in trouble with my father. And that’s never a good thing.

“What do we have here?” I recognize Sorrento’s voice without having to turn around. His father’s Italian, and despite the fact Ivan was born right here in Connonville, he’s somehow managed to develop the Italian accent himself.

The kids that follow him around like sheep snigger in unison as he continues.

"You remember that story, what’s it called?” He looks up like he’s trying to think when we all know he already knows what he’s going to say.

“Ahhh, that's right. The princess… and the pauper," he laughs.

I clench my fists and grit my teeth. But I don’t react because I know it upsets Millie when I get angry.

Leaving him and his loser buddies behind me, I start walking toward the orchard, hoping that Millie is following behind me. My heavy boots leave a path in the rustling grass, but I don’t hear her following.

"Oi, give it back." Her agitated voice makes my head snap back around. Rage flushing my blood with heat when I see Sorrento standing beside her holding the glass jar high above his head. Millie stretches tall on her toes fighting to reach it.

Sorrento ignores her tugs at his arm, blocking out her pleas for him to give it back, his eyes glaring past her and focusing hard on me.

"Give her back the jar," I warn him. Sorrento is eleven, a whole year older than me. But, I have him on size, and unlike all the other kids in town, I’m not afraid of him. His eyes move up to the jar in his hand.

"Do you know how long a butterfly can survive without air?" he asks, no one in particular and Millie’s eyes widen in horror.

"I wanna find out," he says, the smile that lifts on his lips clearly intended to be evil.

“You give her it back right now,” I tell him, re-stepping my path through the long grass, back toward him.

---