Winged Ones

Chapter 2

I lay in bed with Dusk curled up on my stomach, reviewing my day as I always make a point to do. I usually run off track, but I'm going to keep trying until one day I can stay on topic. I am so glad I found Dusk on the streets, he is just the cutest! And distracting.. but I don't mind. If he follows me when I finally get out of here and into the forrest I will be glad to have the company. I cannot wait until I finally escape from the half life I live. I always try and focus on the positives, but sometimes it gets so overwhelming. I have even found myself contemplating suicide several times, and the thing that keeps me going is hope of escape, escape to freedom. I have a decent plan to get out of here and not die instantly, I think I'll go through everything again.

I have a decent sized knife strapped to the boards under my bed that hold the matress up, and a bag of gold pieces hidden in the depths of my cluttered wardrobe. I've managed to save and.. aquire enough money to buy a beautiful bow I want to get before I leave, but I must wait until the markets reopen in two day's time. In these two days I will get my hands on as many supplies as possible by any means I can, legal or not. I've always been good at sneaking around, and am a very fast short-distance runner so I should be fine. I have spent a lot of time at the local library reading up on shelters, hunting, flora and fauna, that kind of thing. I have a notebook with the essentials in it that i've noted down, and hopefully I'll remember the rest. I'm quite sure I'll be able to survive on my own, and with Dusk along I may just stay sane. I hope he'll come with me.

Tomorow I must endure another day of hell, known by some as school. I really look forward to seeing all my friends again! OH WAIT I don't have any. I'm just the shy kid no one ever bothers with, except to taunt. I'm not approachable, I'm not funny, I'm not especially nice, I'm not interesting, I'm not beautiful, I'm not a 'popular', I'm not a nerd, nor am I a sports person. I'm just me, and apparently that isn't good enough for anyone else. Well you know what? Screw them. I will soon be off to a place where I can be me, and not be constantly put down for it. I don't even care if i end up dead, as long as I get away from it all. 

After school may be interesting at least. I'm planning on going to the leathergoods store and looking for a sturdy leather belt with pouches on it. I suspect it will be a lot more expensive than my funds allow, so if I find a really good one I may just have to borrow it indefinately. I have already packed my trusty old leather backpack with the supplies I've already aquired, and it is also hidden under all the clutter in my wardrobe. Let's see if i can remember what's in it.. Packs of dried fruits, home made cured meat strips, 2 big waterbags and a small one, a rope, a hairbrush, a sewing kit and of course a spare set of clothing. I've strapped my camping bedroll to the bottom of it with two leather belts and there are a few more coils of rope hanging from the belts. That's all I have so far, I think. Oh, I'll have to pack a bit for Dusk but hopefully he can hunt.

I really think I'll be able to pull this off and I'm sure I will be far far away by the time anyone notices. I doubt they'll care much anyway, but I want to be sure they won't get me again. My plan is to journey south for two days or so until I reach the great forrest. I will make myself a home up high in the trees, away from the perils of the ground. I've always had a strange love of heights, and I have been climbing trees since i was 4. I just need to find the perfect tree, that's the tough bit. 

Urk, I'm really tired. I think Dusk has the right idea, he must have fallen asleep during my mental ramblings. I need to be alert for tomorow for the highest chance of success, so I think I'll follow Dusk's lead. 

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*BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP*

uhhhhhhh.... Whaa? Oh, alarm. Off. Now.

*BEEP BEEP BEee-* 

Ahhh, much better. I don't want to get up yet, though I know i aught to. It's so nice and warm in bed though! Why is my stomach warmer thou- Oh, Dusk must still be there. It made me smile to think that he stayed with me, it's like someone cares. I opened my eyes, blinking at the light coming in from the crack in the curtains. After recovering from the light I looked down at Dusk to find his eyes already focused on mine.

"Good morning Dusk, did you sleep well?" Yep, that's me. Talking to a cat. Did I mention I'm a little weird? Dusk started to purr in response, and I could feel the vibration travelling through my body. It felt weird but really nice. Ugh, I really need to get up. My father would not be pleased to find out that I was even a minute late for school, and I don't doubt that he would hurt me for it. Better get up then.

"Not that I don't love your company and purring Dusk, but I really do need to get ready for school. Could you please get off me?" I was planning to reach over and gently push him off but before I even moved a muscle he stood up on my belly and jumped gracefully onto my bed and settled down again, purring the whole way. Huh! Maybe it was just a coincidence, but I prefer to think that my new friend here is a genius. Oh well, there's time to ponder that later. Now, I must shower! I forced myself out of my nice warm bed into the chilly morning air of early spring. I grabbed my uniform, a towel and my brush and headed for the shower. I also grabbed Dusk's water bowl and refilled it on the way. He should be fine with the food he has though, at least until tonight.

I had a quick and cool shower, hurriedly drying my body and pulling the brush through my hair. I quickly braided it into a coil on the back of my head and pinned down the end, then I began pulling on my uniform. Undergarments, then a simple white cotton button-up shirt, then the long mustard yellow skirt made of scratchy material over the shirt, then my dark green school tie and yellow blazer. I dashed back to my room which was just down the hall and pulled on my hideous knitted socks of the same green(not a very nice green..) and my scuffed black sneakers. Clothing, check! Now to pack my bag. I grabbed my usual school bag and shoved all my books into it. I swung by the kitchen on my way out, quicly making up a jam sandwich and stuffing it in my bag. I grabbed an apple(green mind you) and munched on it as I walked the 15 minute journey to school.

Author's note

Hi again! Hope you enjoyed this chapter, please let me know what you thought and give it a vote if you think it's worthy :) 

Thanks for reading! Stay sharp and live true,

~Ellania