Lost Wings

5~Decisions

Chapter 5

I headed back to my tent. Autumn caught up with me, and as soon as we were inside she drew me into a hug.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I knew how much this meant to you."

A tear came to my face unheeded. Was I ever going to see my mother again? With every day that passed, that likelihood slimed. Peraz forest had been my only lead. It seemed unlikely I'd manage to crack the diary's code, even with Autumn's help. There was no way I'd find her.

"Knock, knock." Someone said. Aiden stepped in and lifted my chin up. "Come on, Hailey. Don't let these party-poopers bring you down. I came up with a brilliant plan."

"What?" The corners of my mouth lifted in expectation of what would probably be a really stupid joke.

"Let's pull an Aiden on them."

Autumn frowned. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Don't you see? We pretend we're going back, but as soon as their backs are turned, we actually go to Peraz! Kind of like what I did when you guys tried to go to Sperodyfis without me."

"That's a dumb idea," Autumn answered, but I didn't say anything. Was I desperate enough to defy orders to go to Peraz? The answer was easy. I was. At the risk of sounding like a little kid, I wanted to see my mommy.

"How would we do that?" I asked Aiden.

"See, Hailey doesn't think it's a dumb idea. Okay, I've got everything planned out. There's just one thing..."

"What is it?"

"We can't do it without Chase."

"Good," Autumn said. "Because I love you two, but if Chase isn't going, there's no way I am. This is borderline suicidal."

"Only if you don't come with us, Autumn," Aiden reassured her.

"Just tell me the plan, Aiden," I interrupted.

"First, Chase needs to use the trust he built with the commander to convince him that we'll be fine going back by ourselves. The rest is easy."

"That'll never work," Autumn said.

"You don't know Chasey like I do. He's had a whole day and one morning to make a great impression, and the commander and him hit off really well."

"Autumn's right, though." I sighed. "Chase will never agree to abuse the commander's trust like this. He didn't even want to come in the first place."

"That's why I need both of you to help me convince him."

"Aiden, I really want to find my mom, but that doesn't mean I'd force Chase to do something he'd hate so much." I knew there was a chance he'd agree if we insisted enough, but if it would make him miserable, it wasn't worth it. I didn't want to find my mom just to lose my friends.

Aiden scowled. "I see how it is, then." He left the tent, the loose fabric of the door flapping behind him.

"I better start packing," I said, even though I only had taken my pajamas and my hairbrush out.

"I'll go get Juno and Grey." Autumn left the tent, understanding I wanted a moment alone.

I threw my stuff in my bag quickly. Sitting down cross-legged on the ground, I stared at a spot on the floor as I waited for someone to tell me we were leaving. I didn't feel like helping out, or even brushing the smooth coat of my peryton.

Chase came into my tent, and stood there in silence. I didn't move.

After a while, he asked, "You really want to go there, don't you?"

I nodded.

"You know there are a bunch of wild animals, panthers and whatnot, and even fairies, which, unlike what you seem to think, can be pretty dangerous."

I nodded again.

"You still want to go?"

"Yeah." I finally looked up. "It's okay, I'm sure we'll get to go another time."

He studied me. "How about we go now?"

"What?"

"Well, for once that Aiden has made a plan, might as well use it, right?"

"Are you serious?" I gaped.

"Yes. We'll tell Grant we're going back by ourselves, then go back to the forest."

I jumped up and threw my arms around his neck. "Thank you! I promise you won't get in trouble for it. I'll tell the king it was my fault and everything. Thank you."

He hugged me back and leaned in for a kiss, which I gave him willingly.

"Well, I better go and talk to the commander."

I followed him out of the tent. Aiden, who was leaning on a nearby tree, raised an eyebrow at me. "Who's awesome?"

"You are." I said with a silly grin, not even caring about his already huge ego.

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Don't ya love that boy? ;)

Lost Wing went up to number 15 on the Fantasy What's Hot list! Thank you!
Please keep voting if you enjoy the story:)

Cover on the side by @AtticEmma.

It was Raven17 's birthday this week, so this chapter is dedicated to her! Happy birthday! :D
(By the way, check out her story Fledging if you haven't already! It's also about people with wings (and much more) ;) )

See you guys next Friday!