Changing

Chapter 2

Even though I managed to get away from the school, my thoughts remained. 

What am I going to do? Do I go home? And if I do, should I tell mom? I tried imagining it, telling mom, her fearful expression, or worse unbelieving one. 

Its not like I can just waltz on in, anyway…I’m a freaking bird for crying out loud! God why is this happening!

And all the kids at school saw me…well no mundane adult would ever believe what those children say. Man! I scarcely believe it myself…but if all of them tell the same story…

No, no they won’t.

I banished the thought from my mind, I could not think of that, I had enough to worry about. I could not add anything else, because I would surely go crazy.

To keep myself sane, I started entertaining, again, the idea that maybe this was all a dream. 

But somewhere deep in my gut, I knew the truth, I was not going to wake up, at least not anytime soon. 

A sob crawled up my throat and came out as a gurgled screech.

The throng walking by below, jumped at the odd sound and looked up at me. 

This was dangerous, if people speculated too carefully, they would realize that there was something…just wrong about me.

I pumped my wings and soared higher, so that I would be nothing but a speck to the people watching beneath. 

It was almost surreal; the ease in which I could easily see the people, though I knew I was hundreds of meters above them. It was like there was a magnifying glass at the center of my eye and when I looked through it everything was suddenly clear, as if the objects seen from so far above were suddenly right next to me.  

I was near my home now, but I didn’t want to fly all the way there yet. I had to find a way back to my normal form before I confronted my mother.

Just underneath me lay spread out, the one small park that was near my home. Not many people would be there today since it was Monday and kids and parents are at school, or working. 

I loved the park. It was one of the places I went to just to get away from everything. It was small but there was a subtle majesty to it that always pulsed through the trees and ground; blowing in the wind while it scattered the red and orange fallen leaves. It was almost palpable when I sat under the big oak tree there and watched the sun filtering through the canopy of jade, green leaves above me. 

But today the park could bring me no confront. I was too stressed to think about anything but the problems that I was suddenly thrusted into. 

I landed a little clumsily under the big oak, and stumbled hidden in the canopy. I felt a little safer there, out of sight from any watchful eyes and the glaring sun. 

But now I had another problem. I had no idea how to change back.

Would my problems never end!

I sighed in frustration and closed my eyes to the world. There had to be a way to change back. 

Maybe I have to move a certain way.

I flapped my wings, then tried walking strait like a human. I even rolled over. I felt horribly ridiculous so I gave up on that and tried something else.

CHANGE BACK…nothing…mmmm

HUMAN…still nothing

How long is this going to take, I can’t stay here forever.