The Mutant World [UNFINISHED]

5

A black mist in the form of a man, flapping his wings, flies in front of me. It has no face but has full arms and legs that fade to mist after the knee. It has giant black wings, nearly identical to mine. I can't breathe. I tell myself that all I need to do to get away from this thing is to stop flying. But I can't. I stare at the terrifying figure and it stares at me. Air ceases from entering my lungs. I am shaking violently as I wonder with fear what is stopping the creature from killing me. Suddenly I hear a car honk, causing the shadow to vanish. I begin to breathe once again. I fall to the earth again but this time, I flash my wings back out just before hitting a tree. I gently set myself onto a redwood tree and close my wings. I look back up and the shadow is still gone. I slowly climb down the tree, trying to regain my breath.

A few branches snap under my feet, but I manage not to fall. Once I set my feet on the ground, reality sets in. I could have died. A tear falls down my face. I'm still shaking violently. I try to breathe as I walk through the forest. I must have imagined it. There hasn't been a shadow here in a very long time. I must have imagined it. I take a few deep breaths as I glance around the wilderness, calming myself the best I can before continuing on.

I quickly find a big wooden box hidden high among the trees. I can't help but smile and exhale in relief. I quickly climb up the ladder made from boards nailed into the tall tree. I worry that the wood may be old and that I might fall to my death, but I make it to the floor door. I take out the old key to the door from my bag and unlock it. I take a deep breath, still smiling, and open the door.

Inside is very dusty, but it's just the way it was a little over three years ago. I climb up and into the fairly large treehouse. I hear the door click and lock as I close it. As I look around I can see a poster that we made of ourselves with the words 'Friends Club' above our heads. Not so original, but hey, we were young. I see six bean-bag chairs all in a circle taking up most of the room. They are color-coordinated to each one of us. I have the white one which is starting to become brown from dust and wear. I turn again and see a small table where we would always place our snacks, do art projects, and very rarely do homework on.

I walk over to the table and set my bag down. I empty my things before hearing someone knocking on the door. I jump. My heart beats fast. I spread my wings open in a flash as I walk over slowly, and can hear someone talking. Juno and Milo. I begin to breathe normally again as I drop my wings. I go to open the door but then remember that we have had a password years ago.

"What's the password?" I ask them, kneeling down on the floor. I can hear them sighing in unison.

"You know I don't remember the password," I can hear Juno say in his whiny voice. I smile at the thought of the frusterated face he might have made with that comment.

"I'll give you a hint," I begin, "it's a species of an animal."

"Reptile?"

"No."

"Mammal?"

"Nope."

"Insects."

"Ew, no."

"BIRD, JUNO, IT'S BIRD," Milo corrects Juno loudly with an irritated voice.

"Correct," I reply calmly, unlocking the door and opening it. Juno and Milo climb up. Juno is wearing a thin, dark grey muscle-shirt and a pair of black shorts. Milo is wearing a thicker, white muscle-shirt and blue jeans.

"So, who brought the drinks?" I ask looking at both of them.

"Well, Milo is carrying them at the moment," Juno begins, "but we both pitched in."

"Nice," I say smiling and gesturing the table to Milo.

"This is definitely weird being here again," Milo announces after setting a gallon of water on the table and six cups next to it. I look around with Juno and Milo.