I was intrigued by this when I first saw it and how it evolved over time. Not an easy concept to convey, but you've done it well. Albus as puppetmaster is fitting, his implacable stare quite chilling. The bid for freedom and the embrace are so lovely, made even more so by the pathetic shadows of those still caught. One has to wonder if those lost souls are still there because they didn't have the courage to cut their strings, or because they had no one to love them enough to help them. Either way, this is a thought-provoking piece. Well done.