Fly (2nd in the feather series)

Thirteen

I transformed into my winged form at that moment and started to beat my wings, taking off from the forest floor. Soon, I was airborne and could see everything from a birds eye view. I turned my head to look around me, glancing over the forest where my friend was in trouble. Just as grey-blue clouds started to roll in, I spotted the building where the Mrjk documents were kept. I flew lower, feeling the air rush under my wings and landed in front of a grey concrete building. The building was small, plain, unnoticable (to prevent humans finding it) and had words printed on it in Srrin language:

Lbrel Mrjk Elksia Yrrhs Ynv Ghrjk Iskwoerd. Grren klaksyen.

That basically meant 'the Mrjk files are kept here. Speak the password to enter. Thank you.' I stood there for a moment, trying to remember the password that Amy had told me. Then, I remembered. I uttered the password and I heard a click from the inside of the building. I tried the door handle and the door opened, letting me in. Once I was inside, I made sure to close the door to stop others entering. Inside the building, there was a sofa and a table, lockets containing portal dust should you get locked inside the office accidentally and 5 filing cabinets. There was space for more filing cabinets, for the inevitable increase in Mrjk winners. I reached in my pocket and looked at the inscriptions on the 'feather prize'. There was the winners date of birth and a number code. The number codes varied over the years and a unique one was assigned to each winner. The number code on this feather prize was no. 52877. Glancing at the filing cabinets, I identified which one was the one to search in and opened up the first drawer to start my search. 10 minutes passed and I eventually found the file which contained the starting number 5287. 52871,52872,52873, I saw the numbers as I flipped over each page. Then, I found number 52877 and stopped flipping the pages. I examined the date of birth and the prize winners name... and I got a huge shock.

The feather prize coded with number 52877 belonged to... Ava.

********************

I ran back to the woodland clearing, yelling for Ava and eventually found the clearing where Cat lay.

"Ava! Ava! I have some import- " I was going to say more but Amy quietened me.

"Cat needs you to be calm, Layla. She's transforming."

I stopped talking as I watched Cat nervously. Cats wounds were dressed and slowly, she started to transform back into her normal human form. Within each stage of transformation, it was clear she was going through a lot of pain but finally, she was back to normal, breathing heavily.

"Oh gosh, that was embarrasing. Sorry to worry you guys!" Cat apologized.

"No worries." Ava, Amy and I replied. "We're glad you're recovering well!"

Cat smiled and stood up, wincing at the pain going through her leg. Cat really was brave about this ordeal she was going through, only complaining when it really, really hurt. She turned to face me and asked me,

"Could I talk to you in private Layla? There's something you need to know."

I agreed and Cat and I walked away to a quieter area of the woodland to talk. Cat began to tell me,

"Layla, the reason we haven't met up lately is because my pride has been experiencing problems. And it's not just about my romance with a Wolver, although that certainly contributed... Last week, my pride was attacked by a Wolver patrol and 10 Feliners were killed... This means Layla, that we are going to have to... move to the south of England."

I was filled with grief. My best friend, Cat, was moving away from me and I'd never see her again! A few tears escaped from my eyes and we both stood there, hugging each other and crying, telling each other we'd miss each other so much. What made it worse was the fact Cat had to leave at that point to go back to her pride. I was just left standing there, while Cat limped away sadly, leaving to go back to her pride.

Amy came up to me and put her hand on my shoulder, watching Cat leave for the last time. She then asked me,
"Did you find out who the owner of the 'feather prize' was?"

"Yes, Amy." I replied halfheartedly. "I know who it belongs to."