The Search for Voyd

Chapter 19

Back on Nomanisan Island, Avia continued looking at the night sky until she eventually got tired. She decided to go inside the bushes to rest for the night until she saw something, or someone, that caught her attention. There, she saw Kathleen on a leaf with a sad expression on her face. This made Avia feel worried about her friend again. Something was definitely bothering the blue jay and Avia immediately had to know what it was. She knew that Kathleen would only be more upset if the cat asked her, but holding it in would only make the bird feel worse. So, Avia had to make a choice. She decided to walk over quietly to her friend. "Kathleen?" Avia asked quietly. Kathleen turned around and just simply said, "Oh, hi, Avia." "Are you all right?" Avia asked again worriedly. "Oh, why wouldn't I be? Of course I am." Kathleen answered gloomily. "I mean, we're looking for your super, right? So, we should be enjoying this adventure, even though it, so far, only bought us nothing but more trouble!" "Kathleen, I'm just worried about you. You've been this way ever since we met Snarley back at Metroville and treated your tail after being burnt by the baby we encountered at Municiberg. So, you gotta tell me what's wrong." Avia said. "Nothing's wrong with me. I'm fine." Kathleen said. "No, you're not." Avia pointed out. "Something is keeping you in the darkness. You're holding in something and you need to let it out now." "No, I said I'm fine!" Kathleen said firmly. "I have nothing! Really!" "Yes, you do and you need to tell me what it is so I can help you with what you're struggling with!" Avia said sternly. "I said I have nothing!" Kathleen shouted. "Why can't anybody just understand that and leave me alone in utter peace?!" "Because something IS bothering you and I'm worried about you!" Avia shouted back. "I'm your friend, Kathleen, and I hate seeing you like this! I want to know what's wrong with you and maybe I can try to help you! But I can't do it if you don't tell me what it is!" "Thanks, but no thanks." Kathleen resisted. "I can handle it on my own." "Kathleen, are you just upset after that incident we had with that baby we ran into?" Avia asked. "What are you talking about?" Kathleen asked. "Ever since Donatello treated your tail after that baby burnt you," Avia started. "You've been acting so down for almost two days!" "Because he told me that I may never fly again!" Kathleen screeched. She immediately turned away from Avia. The cat was now in complete shock and was speechless. So, this is what this was all about. Kathleen was depressed because of her losing her favorite ability. Flying. Avia immediately began feeling pity for the blue jay. "Oh, Kathleen." She said in pity. "I'm so sorry. So, that's what this is about, isn't it? Well, why didn't you tell me before?" "Because I didn't want to admit to you that I'm a weak and useless bird." Kathleen said sadly while now holding back tears. Avia felt more pity filling up inside her chest and throat. She not only hated to see her friend so sad like this, but she also hated to see her beating herself up inside. Avia went up to Kathleen and gently pawed her back. "Kathleen," she started. "You are not a weak and useless bird. You are very strong. Don't beat yourself up like this. So what you lost your ability to fly? How does that make you weak?" "Because it was the only way I could survive and escape the dangers in this dark and scary world." Kathleen admitted. "I fly because I'm a coward." "Now, why do you say that, Kathleen?" Avia asked. "Well...it's a long story." Kathleen began. "And I'm not sure if you can handle it. It's pretty tragic." "Kathleen, I'm gonna say this one last time." Avia started. "I'm your friend and I want to help you. So please, tell me. Why do you think you're a coward?" Kathleen knew she now had to tell Avia what was going on, because if she didn't, the cat would end up getting in her case nonstop and holding it in would make the blue jay feel worse. That's when Kathleen took a deep breath and said, "Okay. I'll admit it. The truth is...I'm an outcast myself." Avia became stunned. Kathleen is an outcast? How? Why was she one? And what caused her to be one in the first place? "Wait...you're an outcast?" Avia asked in shock. "Yes." Kathleen admitted. "I was a lonely and scared outcast. You see, when I was a chick, I didn't fit right in with my family. I was basically the runt of the flock. My two siblings wouldn't allow me to hang out or play with them while my parents just rejected me. They would always bring me a different type of food when they bought home dinner for us. They wouldn't tell me goodnight when it was bedtime. They never even said 'I love you' to me. One day, it was time for my siblings and me to leave the nest. While they flew away, I just sat there all scared and helpless. My parents didn't even help me at all. Instead, they violently pushed me out. I landed on the ground, but luckily, I didn't get hurt thanks to a garden that we lived above from. Even though my siblings were gone and went to live their own life freely, I didn't want to leave my old nest where my parents were because I was so scared, knowing that there was lots of danger in the world I might run or fly into. I yelled and cried for them, but they never came to my aid. They just ignored and left me there all helpless and alone. I was like that for days, weeks, and months. It was hard for me to live on my own. I had trouble finding my own home, my own food, and I was even too scared to fly. I was alone, scared, hungry, and helpless. No one was there to help me. However, one day, a terrifying threat came into the city to destroy the whole community. I became so scared, that I hid in a nearby alleyway. Because I was so weak and cowardly, I knew I was going to die...that was, until she came. Up in the sky, a superhero flew right in just in time to save the city and stop the threat to prevent us from dying a horrible and severe death. She even had lots of birds with her. They called her, 'Stratogale'. I was curious about the super and wanted to get a closer look of her. I was careful not to be seen by anyone or the bad guys and watched her fighting off the villains. I watched her every move and was in pure awe by her sight. She had the strength of an eagle and bravery of a lioness. She even had such beautiful expressions and was very friendly, sweet, helpful, and optimistic. It looked like she was always in the clouds. She was like an angel to me in my eyes.