The Fray of Werebirds [Discontinued]

Chapter 36 - Connected

RIP Christina Grimmie, the greatest Zelda fan to ever live. Your voice was beyond beautiful, and your personality forever amazing. Thank you for living, if only for a very short time. It's horrible that this had to happen, that such a wonderful person had to go so soon because of a thoughtless murderer's actions. But what is done is done and all I can do is say, may you rest in peace :(

Now, the chapter.

"You're really dead, man?"

Leigh was staring down at Jay's corpse. His fists were clenched and streams of bitter tears flowed freely down his cheeks.

"I thought Gregory was pulling my wing," Leigh sniffled. "But you're gone. You're really gone. It doesn't make sense, Jay. The last time I saw you – you were there. But now you aren't. And now you won't ever speak to me again, will you? You won't run, or fly, or do anything."

A sob penetrated his chest. "If only I had reached the flock earlier. If only I..."

Leigh covered his face behind his hand. For a long time he remained silent. It hurt to see the goofiest, most light-hearted werebird I had ever met so miserable. Finally, he breathed out and lifted his head. His eyes sat dully between their lids and beneath them the dry streak of tears stretched down to his chin.

Leigh clapped in front of my face, breaking Gregory's petrifying spell. I greeted him solemnly as I stretched my rigid muscles, and he freed Sirena and Millicent as well.

"Leigh, would you mind freeing Brock and Ethan too? I'm not sure I can clap," I lifted my three-fingered hand, smiling apologetically.

Leigh sucked his teeth at the sight. "Where are they?"

"They're supposed to be on that bell tower."

When Leigh returned with Brock and Ethan they worked together to carry Jay's lifeless body up to the palace nearby. Brock helped me lay Sirena on a couch in one room to rest. In another room, Ethan and Leigh dragged a closet and, after emptying it, placed it backside down on the floor. They laid Jay's body inside, turning what was once a safe haven for clothes into a coffin.

The entire affair was carried out in heavy silence.

Ethan was about to shut the lid when Millicent's hand shot out. She clutched Ethan's wrist tightly, wrinkling his sleeve. Her hand shook and her eyes shot daggers at him. The aura surrounding her was vicious. Ethan withdrew without a word.

Millicent sat and hugged her knees to her chest. She observed Jay with blank eyes, as if in attempt to imprint his image in her mind. Right then, I truly felt sorry for her. I felt anger towards Fernando, but there was nothing more I could do. He was dead, too. There was nothing left for me to be angry at.

I left everyone with Jay and went to check on Sirena. When I entered the room, I saw her lifting herself off the couch.

"I need to go," she said.

"What? Where?"

"The House of History," Sirena answered, wincing as she stood. "Tamara has been keeping my mother there, and Fernando mentioned something about Queen Isabella being there too. I have to go."

"You can't," I said forcefully, pulling her down. "You're injured, you need the rest. I'll go instead."

"But you–"

"I'm what? Not strong enough? Sure you're stronger than I am, but in your current condition I don't think playing hero is a good idea."

Sirena glared at me. "You think this is a game?" She shoved me aside and stood up, this time confidently.

"No, but you're in no good shape to fight. We've already lost one of us. And I don't want to lose you."

I held her gaze, hoping to show her the sincerity of my words. Her eyes flicked away and settled on my right hand. Her eyebrows knotted with concern. She picked up my hand in hers and examined the wound.

"When did this happen?" She looked up at my face, guilt drawn on her face.

"It doesn't matter," I said firmly. "I'm not a coward anymore. I'm ready, not only to lose my fingers, but my entire head for you."

Sirena stared at me for a moment, expressionless. She then responded by smacking me on the head.

"Ow! Why'd you do that?"

"You idiot, what use are you without a head?" Sirena scoffed, though she was smiling slightly. "Clearly, you aren't using it properly anyway."

"I didn't mean it literally, I just meant to say that I–"

Sirena's soft lips pressed against mine, blocking my words. I lost my breath in hers, and I lost myself in her enchantment. My stomach fluttered and any thoughts I had melted, leaving only her on my mind. Her scent enveloped me, and in a world far away I felt her fingers running through my hair, sending shivers down my spine. My hand rose from her hip to her waist, and from there I clutched her and pulled her closer to me.

We stood in each other's embrace, lips sealed, connected by this magical and unexplainable gesture.

When we parted, I felt giddy and my heart was pounding vigorously. My cheeks were on flames, and I couldn't bear looking Sirena in the eye.

"Did I catch you off guard, by any chance?"

I laughed, despite my injury, despite Jay, despite everything.

"You sure did."

"Well that just proves to you that I'm in great shape to kick butt."

I sighed with full knowledge that I had no chance of changing her mind and asked, "Then may I please join you on your butt kicking mission, Lady Sirena?"

"You've been part of my mission from the very start; you have every right to be there at the end."

Sirena walked to the window and threw it open. It was time to fly.

"And, Caleb?"

"Yes?"

"You can call me Sirena."

WOOOOOH #Calena ALLLL THE WAAAY! XD