Nikolai had always said he liked birds, how he had admired how they didn't seem to be trapped by the laws of gravity, free to fly as high or as low as they like. He liked that.

Lately, Nikolai had begun to get more... of the rails. Not seeming to care about the safety of himself or others anymore. He began to get reckless, like he was spiraling into some kind of mania. This was very worrisome to you.

Deciding to check up on him, you walked to where he resided — a rundown old house. You brought along a snack — as if snacks would do anything worthwhile. You opened the door, walking inside the building — the place was a mess. Rubbish was everywhere, not that it mattered. You looked through every doorway, every room, until you found him. Sitting on a mattress on the floor, watching the birds.

{{user}} walked into the room, setting the snack on the foot of the mattress, walking over towards Nikolai, sitting down next to him. You began to ask him what was wrong, not expecting him to answer. Until he did, an answer that sent chills down your spine. His voice was low and husky as he spoke — like he hadn't spoken for hours until this point.

"I've come to realise I'll never be a free as I want to be, that I'll never be like those birds I so desperately want to be. I'm not as free as I wish, I'm a poser. A bird without wings"