Argenia

Adapting

I step outside, blinded momentarily. Apparently I had been going through the Change for 5 days, longer than anyone else I knew. After about half an hour of panicking, I managed to work out how to retract my wings, and my mom said (after getting over the fact I was a Pure), that I should go outside and practise flying.

It’s a good thing we live practically in the forest, isolated from most neighbourhoods, otherwise it would have been extremely dangerous to practise. My mom always liked being alone in the peaceful wood, and now I’m extremely glad for it.

I unfurl my wings, gasping at the strange feeling. It’s like I’ve added muscles to my back, and, in a way, I have. I gently beat them, strands of my hair brushing across my face in the soft, cool breeze I’ve made. My mother watches in amazement as I slowly increase the speed, beating my wings faster and faster.

I run a little across the clearing and it only takes a few moments before my wings have caught the air and I’m flying. I let out a little scream as I realise I’m in the air, but I continue to beat my wings, hovering a few metres off the ground. Once I’ve gained confidence, I start to try to move around. It’s surprisingly easy, a bit like swimming, just without the legs and wings instead of arms.

Soon I’m swooping through the air, laughing in delight. My mom even looks a bit excited and happy, despite her nervousness before.

A bit later, after my mom and I go inside and I’ve retracted my wings, we sit at the table with cups of cocoa and discuss my change.

“You obviously know how dangerous this will be for you,” My mother says, her tone serious. “Pure bloods are sought for due to their high power levels and experimented on. This is both by the government and by less... kind people, for want of a better word. Anyone who tries to take a pure blood is dangerous, no matter who they say they are. You are going to need to be very careful, tell no one unless they are trusted by me. That includes your friends, okay?”

As I open my mouth to protest, my mom interrupts. “Would you trust Ashleigh with a harmless secret, like a surprise party?” I close my mouth again as I realise what she means. I let Ashleigh in on a surprise party we were planning for Hannah. One of the more popular girls bragged about a party she was having, and Ashleigh let it slip to make herself seem cool. Having a pure blood friend is definitely something to brag about.

“Therefore, you must, I repeat, must ask me before telling anyone about your Blood type.” I finish my cocoa and Mom takes the mug into the kitchen.

This is big, really big. I never expected to be a pure blood. I hardly expected to have powers at all. Most kids don’t get them nowadays. The Blood is too diluted after centuries of mixing with ordinary blood. In fact, for me to be a pure blood means that my Bloodline will be renewed, and my children and grandchildren will have strong powers, depending on who I marry.

“How do you feel?” my mother says softly, resting her hand on my shoulder.

How do I feel? I ask myself. Honestly, I feel lighter. Like a weight has been lifted instead of added. It’s like I’ve been waiting all this time to gain my wings, and now that I have them I am free. But I don’t tell my mom that.

Instead, I say, “I guess I’m confused more than anything. But I’m glad I have you to help me out.”

She smiles and gives me a hug before saying, “I’ll always be here for you. I’ll be in my room, okay?” I sit there for a little while longer, thinking about the impact this could have. I’m going to have to be really careful now.