The Wonderful Adventures of Bea Andrews (EDITING, IN PROGRESS)

Chapter 2

I stare up at the massive beast that is sitting bored on my lawn. It has massive, cream-coloured paws and a set of wings that seem to grow out of the striped front legs. Its orange and black wings have three tendrils that are folded neatly along the beasts' body. The rear legs are neatly folded under the beast as it sits on its haunches. It lets out a deep, long chuff and lowers its broad head to stare at me. It rumbles happily, gold eyes blinking slowly at me. Uncle Brady chirps, eyes bright and glowing, "I'll be! Seems old Magnolia likes yah! She's such a sweet lil kitty! Yes, she is! Yes, she is!!!" I stare up at the massive beast, and my mouth turns into a concerned frown.

I ask, my hands shaking, "What is Magnolia?" Uncle Brady grins at me and pats Magnolia on the side, to which she makes a deep chuffing sound. She extends her wings out, her shoulder flush against the ground. Uncle Brady tosses me a strange bundle. I open it up and put on a helmet, goggles, a strange harness, and some thick gloves.

Uncle Brady states, pride gleaming in his eyes, "Sumatran Bat..."

"BRADEN ANDREWS, YOU WILL NOT TAKE MY DAUGHTER ON THAT BEAST!" My Dad's face is beet red as he pokes his head through the kitchen window. Uncle Andrew turns pink and makes a strange call to Magnolia. Magnolia quickly lowers her rear end, laying flat against the ground. He grabs a set of straps out of a bag, and with his free hand he tosses me some heavy pants and a respirator. I slip them on and begin to feel really hot under the extra clothes.

Uncle Brady yelps, fiddling with the clasp on the straps, "Okay, Bea, time to go before your pa' skins me alive. Grab the suitcases and put them in the bag over there."

Dad shouts, "BRADEN LUDO ANDREWS! YOU WILL NOT!!!" I throw the suitcases in the bag, and Uncle Brady grabs it. He shows it to Magnolia, and she makes a deep groaning noise. Dad yells, his footsteps getting closer, "BRADEN, YOU ASSHAT!"

Uncle Brady calls, "I'M STILL ALIVE, SHE'S FINE! YOUR WIFE SAID IT WAS OKAY!!!" He ties the bag shut and throws it near Magnolias' back feet. He gestures to Magnolia, and I stare at him. He smacks his forehead and tosses me a vest and a bright green, polka-dot jacket, helping me to get the vest then the jacket on. Then he tosses me a pair of boots and helps me into them.

Dad snarls, the door flying open, "BRADEN, YOU'RE INSANE! SHE'S NOT INSANE LIKE YOU ARE!! THAT THING IS A KILLER, AND IT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE A COMBINATION ON!" Uncle Brady begins crawling up Magnolia's wing, and I follow after him. I scramble on the soft, fuzzy surface as my extra weight drags me down. Magnolia, somehow sensing my struggle, lifts her wing so I slide straight towards Uncle Brady. Uncle Brady lets out a string of curses before catching me with wide eyes as Magnolia lifts and tucks her wings in. Dad cries, coming into view by Magnolia's shoulder, "SEE? IT ALMOST HURT MY DAUGHTER!"

Uncle Brady snaps, his body language tense, "SHE'S FINE! SHE HAS WARRIOR BLOOD IN 'ER!" Dad turns the colour of a stop sign and draws a deep breath, his stomach ballooning out.

Dad screams, "YOU ASSHOLE! SHE ISN'T A WARRIOR! BRING HER BACK!" Uncle Brady clips my harness into Magnolias' collar. He clips his own harness onto Magnolia behind me. Uncle Brady stares down at Dad, who seems so small from up here.

Uncle Brady snaps, grabbing the reins around me, "I HAVE RIGHTS, JACKOB! NOW GET AWAY FROM MY TIGER!" Dad stumbles back and Uncle Brady gives a flick of the reins. I let out a quick yelp as Magnolia stands. Dad disappears immediately, and my head begins to swim. I cling to Magnolias' fur, my heart pounding in my throat. Magnolia squirms underneath us, and Uncle Brady calls, "Hang on, Bea! Magnolia has a lot of spunk in 'er." I take a deep breath, my mask making a strange hissing noise. As I exhale, I'm thrust backwards into Uncle Brady and the world goes dark.

***

I sit up, heart pounding. Uncle Brady yells, "BEA! BEA! DAMN IT, BEA!! Answer me, please!" I crack my back and blink a few times. Blue is on every side, which is odd because my bedroom is pink.