The Fray of Werebirds [Discontinued]

Chapter 19 - The Seed

The seed was introduced.

As we crawled through the hole Brock made, my mind buzzed with everything my new friend told me before nightfall. The seed of an insane idea planted itself in my brain. It was still just a thought, no more, but it was ready to bloom just as soon as it was watered.

We emerged out of the hole and into the forest at dusk. As I shook the dirt off my hair, I observed Brock for the first time under the moonlight. I was surprised to find that he was close to my height and probably around my age as well. He had icy blue eyes that clashed with the spiky red flames on his head. He turned to me and motioned to the well several feet away.

"We did it. Escaped Tartarus."

"Hell yeah we did!" I grinned, "Tartarus though? Who'd give a well a name like that?"

We laughed giddily, filling our lungs up with relief, and our voices traveled above the gleaming stars. For the first time the dark seemed tame. It was warm and welcoming, even after our laughter faded. The tranquility urged me to open my mouth and spill the contents of the seed. I almost shared my insane idea with Brock when I was startled by a shout in the distance. I must have forgotten for a moment that we were on the infamous Yardbird Island.

"I need to find the werebirds I mentioned," I told him quickly, "You should go now, find a good spot on the island like you planned."

"No way, I'm helping you first, buddy."

I wanted to argue, but I heard another holler, and this time more alarming. I wasn't sure how I was going to fight on my own anyway, so I nodded and we raced through the forest until we reached the clearing where Sirena and I met Fernando earlier during the day. Right then, it was empty except for five birds screeching and quarrelling with each other.

Beyond them, Sirena was bound to a large oak tree by a mass of silver chains. She was already making use of the diversion by wriggling for freedom. I almost relaxed when I saw she was safe, but then I noticed the bruises on her face and the fresh red slits covering her arms. My hands curled into shaking fists.

The seed vibrated violently in my skull, reminding me of its presence.

"They can't just do that to her," I growled.

"Is that her?" Brock asked, "The girl you told me about?"

Instead of replying I bolted right through the clearing like the idiot I was and always will be, hoping that the fighting werebirds would be too busy to notice me. As I neared Sirena, someone tackled me and pinned me to the ground, burying my face in the soil. I struggled powerlessly against my foe before I looked up and met a pair of emerald eyes.

"Hold your horses, flower boy."

"Gregory!" I exclaimed, "Where were you–"

Suddenly the ex-magician hopped off me and blocked a quick-witted kick flying towards him. The attacker was revealed to be Brock, who must have mistaken the older guy for a convict. Soon the two were throwing and dodging punches. Gregory gripped Brock's left wrist, and the latter mirrored the act by holding the former's right wrist. With their arms crossed, their eyes challenged each other, steady blue against cool green.

"You've got one queer scent," Gregory sniffed, not taking his eyes off his opponent.

"They call me the Bogus."

"Ah, that explains a lot," Gregory's lips curled into a smile, "I've never fought a werebird like you before, this should be fun."

"Whoa guys stop!" I jumped in between them and explained briefly that we were on the same side.