Chai

Chapter 21

I stared up at Richard. He stares back. We stare back and forth at each other. He waved his sword around in a somewhat trained manner. His wings glistened in the chandelier light. He mumbled and flapped his wings, "I... uh..." He glanced over the railing of the landing. "I was supposed to walk you to the kitchen when you came out of the closet." Richard froze and shuffled towards the stairs. He started down the stairs, then stopped again. "We can fly. You can fly. Flying is a thing." He turned around and sheathed his sword. He threw open the doors to a balcony. He strode out, his coattails billowing the night wind. He spread his Full Goose™ wings, the white gleaming in the cloudy night sky. He jumped into the air, his wings knocking me back with force. I lingered in the doorway, staring up at Richard. I glanced over my shoulder into the stony building with red carpet. I glanced up at Richard doing loops and tricks in the sky. I stepped onto the balcony and shut the doors behind me. I leaped into the air. The wind pulled on my hair as I flew through the air. I yelled in joy as my body left the balcony. I flapped my wings as I rushed up to meet my brother. The cold air screamed past me. Richard grinned at me, his jagged white teeth gleaming in the moonlight. He honked, "Race you to the kitchen, Kate!" I waited for him to start flying since I didn't know where I was going. I raced after him, my wings straining as I whipped through the air. His huge wings gave him an advantage, maybe waiting for him to fly ahead was stupid. I flew faster and faster, but he kept getting farther away. My heart pounds as my breath gets short and choppy. My limbs tingle as I push through the air with mighty flaps. I began to sink, and I panicked.

I yelled, "Richard, wait!" He banked on a dime. He must be part owl. Otherwise how did he hear me? He raced back to me. He grabbed my arms and pulled me into a hug, his heartbeat slamming in my ears as he hovered in front of me. I struggled to hover as he buried his face into my shoulder. He softly cried as he hugged me close. His breaths were ragged and harsh as he clung to me.

He burbles, "I'msorryI'msorry..." He yanks back and fixes his wrinkled suit as he hovered in front of me. His eyes are dark and glassy as his pure white ponytail is pushed slightly by the wind. He draws a breath and chuckles, grinning, "I forgot you were slower than me. Sorry about that." We flew over the sleepy gardens, catching up about life as we head for the kitchen.

*

The kitchen was part of a large stone building with a dining hall. The dining hall was full of large wooden tables and chairs. The tables have large red tablecloths, draping off the tables. The chairs have small red cushions, reminding me of waiting room chair cushions. Richard's boots softly pad across the stone floors, and the sound mingled with the clatter of kitchen ware. Richard sat at a bar stool at a counter and ran his tongue over his teeth. He commented, picking up a toothpick, "Now, Kate. I've heard you're involved with that Gizmole guy, but listen to me..." He picked a chunk of something from his teeth. "I don't think you understand how dangerous this is. How dangerous his family is. So, I'm going to spare you the heartache, and do what Dad would've done if he were here." He turns to face me and grabs my shoulders. "You. Can't. See. That. Boy. Ever. A. Gain. It's for your own good, and you will thank me." My jaw dropped and my chest squeezed. My wings flapped aggressively. Why??? What??? No???

I snapped, "You can't do that! You can't just come into my life and tell me who I can be with!" Richard stands up. I stand up as well, but Richard hovers foot taller than me.

Richard snarls, his rage building in his eyes, "I can, I did, I will continue to do so! I am your caretaker! I will be overseeing..." I stepped forward and raised my wings.

I snapped, feathers ruffling, "No you won't! I don't know you! You abandoned me! Gizmo never..." Richard turned the colour of spilt blood.

Richard cried, his fist slamming onto the counter, "YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! YOU SPOILED BRAT, YOU THINK THAT YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING? YOU THINK YOU KNOW HIM? WHERE IS HE?" I stepped back. His face burned red as he leaned forward and sneered, "You will not. See him. Again. Now, let's eat supper in peace."

I snarled, turning to leave, "No." Richard grabbed my arm and I sat back down with a grunt. I tugged my arm away and started to fight back tears. A waiter came up and started talking to Richard. I stood up in a rush and bolted for the bathroom. Richard cussed as I scrambled into the girls bathroom and locked the door. How many times am I gonna have to hide in bathrooms and closets from these people? Who are these people? Why are they so mean? Why is everyone so mean? My chest burned as I climbed out the window, a cruel realization dawning on me. I need Gizmo hugs.

*

I beat through the bush, cursing and swearing the whole way. Today, and technically yesterday, has been awful. I want to go home. I want to go back to my dorm. I want to go back to my dorm and sleep and forget any of this happened. I don't wanna know about this 'brother' who shows up and thinks he can rip me a new one about who I can and can't be around. I don't want to be attacked by a fucked up shapeshifter. I don't want to be here. I didn't CHOOSE to be here! I WANT TO GO HOME! I ram a fist into a tree.

"That's not good for you." I turned to face the voice. Glowing blue and brown eyes greeted me.

I called, staring out at him, "Why are you hiding out here?"

Gizmo chuckled, "It's better than being in there with agency people. They're moody." I nod, noting that the past twenty-four hours have been nothing but drama. I hold my arms out and Gizmo emerges. He wraps his arms around me and I melt into his arms. "Let's go to my cabin. My Dad had it built for him and Mom when they just got married."