Surviving the Dark

Chapter 2 - Quelia

It was risky, but I needed to get out of Tarenia and fast.

When I left Marie and The Coffee Club, I found an abandoned alleyway and unclasped my necklace. I instantly felt my body shift, and I tucked my necklace safely in my bag.

I felt my wings unfurl behind me, ripping my top at the back.

'Need to get new clothes in the next city.' I thought, realising all my clothes were old and worn out, and now this top had rips in it.

When I knew it was safe, I took off in the sky, letting the wind decide on which way I went. Right now I didn't care where I ended up I just needed to get out of Tarenia.

I closed my eyes and lifted my head up taking a deep breath. I haven't flown in a few years, usually traveling between cities via the same ways humans do, trains, buses, and taxies.

I flew North West. The longer I fly in this direction, the further away I was from the Black Eyes.

My wings started to hurt at every beat. I had to stop, just for a rest. I landed on a beach and put my necklace back on, retracting my wings.

I laid back on the sand soaking up the sun. I normally have light tanned skin, but living in concrete jungles for the last thirteen years didn't allow for much sunbathing. So now I pale.

The sun felt nice on my skin, and I started to feel better out in the open. Out with nature.

I sat up and rolled up my jeans to just above my ankle. I looked down to my left ankle. Staring at the pink lily tattoo, I started to tear up.

Standing up and wiping away a stray tear on my cheek. An uneasy feeling settled in my stomach.

'I need to keep moving.' I thought.

Unclasping my necklace, once again my wings unfurled and I took off in the same direction. North West.

I didn't stop until my wings could not take it anymore. Plus I noticed the sun had started to set.

I dipped down and landed on the outskirts of what looked to be a small town. I re-clasped my necklace and started walking.

I walked for about half an hour and reached a sign that read

WELCOME TO QUELIA
HOME TO THE QUELIA NATURE PRESERVE

I sighed. I knew I should've had a plan, instead of following the wind.

Nature has been calling me for months.

I looked up at the sky. The sun was almost gone now and the indigo of night was setting in.

'I'll just stay one night. It's too late to go anywhere else now anyway.'

I found the nearest hotel and booked a room for the night. I had asked the guy at reception for a map before I left for my room.

Once I got there, I started looking at the map for the nearest city. I couldn't risk flying anywhere anymore. I needed to get to a city by bus now.

My violet eyes scanned the map and zeroed in on a large green area indicating a park of some kind. Reading over the name of the park I knew I was in trouble if I didn't leave this town and soon.