Saved by The Bird

Chapter nine

Alma takes us around the island, guiding me into clouds that do well to hide us but allow us to see what is below. She glides beside me just in front of my left wing, occasionally falling back to hover above it, looking to the side to see if I'm ok. I try to nod, try to pay attention to her at times but the feeling of being free in the air is too much of a drug to pay attention to much else than flying.

We go above some farmland and over some trees until she circles back to the roof of the children's home, something I'm grateful for as a dull ache makes itself know in my wings. She settles into her human form and sits beside me on the roof as I fold my wings away, letting them disappear until I need them again.

"How was that?"

I can feel the smile that wants to creep over my face. I don't have the words to tell Alma how wonderful it felt or how to express my gratitude at all of this. I can just hope that it won't all melt away when I blink.

"It was... nice."

"I'm sorry we couldn't go all the way around the island, it was probably a smaller flight than you're used to."

"I've never flown further than a few metres up in the air."

"Oh..."

Alma goes quiet beside me and I look down, fiddling with some moss that grows in-between the tiles on the roof, picking it of in clumps and watching as it rolls down to fall off the edge.

"I'm sorry. It's truly awful to feel so trapped."

She shivers slightly though there's only a gentle breeze and even that carries its own warmth. I risk a glance sideways and see a frown on her face as she looks over the island. I pull my knees closer to my chest and place my chin on them.

"How long can my sister and I stay here?"

I watch the trees in the distance, swaying gently with the light wind. It's as though they're waving at me and somehow, amidst my worry that Alma will kick my sister and I out, I have the ridiculous urge to stand and wave wildly to the dancing branches.

"As long as you need and after that, as long as you want."

She's frowning, but she's not angry, she's sad, or confused. It's as though she can't quite make her mind up.

"Why?"

She tilts her head to look at me, her eyes piercing through me and reminding me of her bird form. I move hair that's blown over my eyes behind my ear, tucking it away.

"Why are you letting us stay here, being so nice?"

She looks away again, studying something I can't see.

"It's my job, it's who I am."

"Are we safe?"

"As much as we can be. You and your sister will not be harmed by my wards or I. Not on purpose and not maliciously."

I chew the inside of my cheek, still watching the trees.

"It's nice to be outside. We never went out often before."

The sounds of giggles reach us and I can just make out the sound of my sister's laugh. I rest my chin on my knees again as tears prick my eyes. I blink furiously, I'm not allowed to cry.

"What are you feeling?"

"Hm?"

"You're so quiet there, in your head. What are feeling that has you so far away?"

The giggles continue and a tilt my head in their direction.

"She's laughing. She laughing with people who are just like her."

"You're both safe here. I hope you realise that, somewhere within you."

I nod, uncomfortable and stand, wanting to see my sister, to check on her and make sure that she's ok.

"Can we go back now?"

A small sigh comes from Alma as she stands, but she smiles at me and beckons me to follow her along the roof.

"The children most likely know but I hope they don't and I hope you will keep it that way, but there is a small hatch that goes to the attic. It saves us both from having to shift."

She lifts the trapdoor door to the attic and smiles at me. I follow her and let her lead me back into the house, trying to ignore the nagging doubt that still lingers. I can only hope, for the time being, that it really is safe for us here, to rest, until we need to move on again.