WARNINGS: yandere themes
Note: For Tumblr, the mature version of the endings (the afterendings) will begin sometime after I finish all the normal endings.
Note 2: Tumblr was originally told that all the birds would have one ending, but I have decided to split them up into three endings (The Price of Beauty and Birds of a Feather alongside this one)
The sky was overcast today, your sunny mood not matching the dark gray, cloudy sky. As you approached the dome where the birds resided, you decided to check on the damage.
You still found it hard to believe the birds had made any damage to metal. But surely Mr. Crowley wouldn't lie to you.
There were guards stationed outside the area of the dome that had been damaged. A white tarp fluttered in the cold breeze, making it impossible for you to see the extent of what the birds had done.
The guards gave you a respectful nod as you passed by. Their eyes didn't seem to leave you, even as you walked farther and farther away. You shook off the thought, assuming you were imagining things after everything Mr. Crowley had said.
You opened the door to the dome and immediately noticed the difference in the air. Tense, as though something was coiling tightly around you, ready to snap. You looked towards the damage but another white tarp covered the entire area. The rest of the enclosure was the same- the marsh where the flamingos lived, the bright green grassy expanse for the peacocks, and the individual cages for the-
Where was Deuce, Ace, and Trey? The raven, parrot, and owl's cages were all empty, the doors ripped off their hinges. The bird houses were covered in deep scars, as if talons had scratched every inch of the wood.
And then you spotted them.
Ace gave you an enthusiastic wave, but Deuce and Trey remained serious, all three staring at you. Even from a distance, you could see their pupils were blown wide. Something was wrong with them.
With a gulp, you tried to force your legs to move, but you were frozen between approaching them and seeing what was wrong or fleeing. The trio began approaching you and your heart stopped in your chest altogether.
"Hey, (Y/n)," Ace said with a wide grin, his sharp eyes locked on you without blinking even once, "Did you come to check out the damage?"
You nodded despite your fear, feeling a shiver run up your spine as Trey and Deuce split off and began to circle you. Their wings were tucked tightly to their bodies, but occasionally twitched as though they wanted to spread them.
"Have you done any more damage?" you managed to ask.
Trey smiled pleasantly, "Would you believe us if we said 'no'?"
Deuce, who was normally quiet, spoke up, "No harm meant. We want more space."
"Space?" You looked at them curiously, trying to ignore the twisting in your stomach, "Why would you need more space?"
As soon as the question left your lips you felt stupid. Ace laughed, "Birds aren't meant to be in cages. Do you think we're supposed to stay in the little spaces Crowley and his goons made for us?"
"Isn't that what you agreed to?" you asked.
"We were happy with it... until now," Ace explained, "But we've grown restless ever since you arrived."
You glanced back at the enclosure door and instead was met with the sight of a smirking Trey. He had positioned himself between you and the only exit. Before you could truly panic, Deuce was wrenching your arms behind your back and clapping a hand over your mouth.
Trey gave you a closed-eyed smile, "We want to talk." He opened his eyes, his smile twisting into a devious smirk, "About you coming with us."
Deuce's thumb brushed circles against your cheek, trying to soothe you, while Ace gave you an earnest look, "What's the point of escaping if you aren't with us?"
So it wasn't really about escaping- it was about claiming you. Mr. Crowley's speech came back to you. "They will especially latch on to anyone who shows them true kindness."
You tried to pull your wrists free and began to frantically shake your head. You managed to slip from Deuce's grasp over your mouth and wailed, "Come with you? Are you crazy? I can't just-"
"Actually, you can," Ace snickered, "After all, you don't have a choice in the matter." He leaned in close, his voice a conspiratorial whisper as a hunger swirled in his overblown pupils, "We've been working on this escape for a while, and guess what, sweetheart? Today's the day."
You began to squirm in Deuce's ironclad grip, "I'm not going anywhere with you guys! I'm just a researcher- I didn't sign up for this. Help! Security! Please! HELP!"
Ace laughed loudly, "They won't help you, trust me." His stare became a bit more gentle, "Look, you've been taking care of us for so long, now it's our turn to care for you."
Deuce's wings twitched with barely restrained excitement, "Don't fight. Be a good girl."
"Yeah," Ace agreed with a wicked grin, "We went through all this trouble because we love you! Isn't that sweet?"
"Sweet?" you wailed, "It's insanity, that's what this is! Now let me go before you get in trouble!"
"Trouble? In trouble with who?" Ace tilted his head, pretending to be confused, "No, no, you have it wrong, silly. We're not the ones who will be in trouble."
"Whatever I did, I'm sorry!" A tear trickled down your cheek as you began to thrash in Deuce's grip, "I'm really sorry!"
Deuce leaned in to your ear, "You not need to be sorry."
Trey spoke up behind you, "We'll be free. All of us."
Ace picked up a vine from the floor and motioned for Deuce to hand you over. You let out a scream for help, but when you looked towards the guards outside the dome, you realized they hadn't so much as flinched.
No one was coming to save you.
As soon as your wrists were bound tightly, Trey took flight, his talons quickly curling into your shoulders and under your arms. Ace and Deuce joined him in the air and you were lifted off the ground.
There was no point in screaming anymore and your voice hurt. Instead, you cried softly to yourself as the bird halflings blew through the white tarps like they weren't even there. The damage was so extensive that it was basically a giant hole for them to fly easily through.
From the ground, Mr. Crowley waved goodbye to you, a smile on his face as though he was pleased to see you being dragged into the sky.
The gloomy sky finally matched your mood.