Blue Wings {COMPLETE} {UNDER EDITING}

Chapter 23 - Mack

I sit quietly in the bed next to Liz, listening to her unsteady heartbeat as she rests. It's strange that I can hear it, but lately I have noticed that it isn't the only new thing I can hear. Only a few weeks have passed since Periodic Solutions Center made me their experiment, and already my hearing has become much more acute, more-so lately. I've noticed that if I listen, I can hear things I never could before.. like water running through the rusty pipes in this motel.

Even my eyesight has gotten better. Instead of only being able to make out a few objects in the dark room- it's probably around 3 am- the room is bright and clear to me. I can easily see Dylan as he lays sprawled across the other bed, his chest rising and falling steadily as he breathes.

Each tan wall is visible to me, as if there was a light still shining in the room, although I checked and none of the lights were still on. I've also discovered that if I focus on something I can zoom in on it and see it up close, like a magnifying glass hovered over a tiny ladybug. It makes me curious to know how the world would look in flight.

Since my wings first poked through, they have grown fairly quickly-at a more rapid rate than Dylan's, Liz told me- but they still aren't large enough to test in flight. They ache a bit now, being closed against my back for so long, and I quietly scoot to the end of the bed so I can open them a bit. Spreading them out slowly, the dark brown feathers become visible first; the further they spread, the lighter the feathers grow until the brilliant white tips come into view. The feathers on the underside, however, are entirely white except for the occasional light brown specks covering their surface. I ruffle the feathers a bit, flapping once, which stirs up a small breeze. 

Even though I've only had wings for a few weeks, they're already a part of me and I can't imagine losing them like Liz did.. When I first saw the condition her wing was in... I shake my head, holding it in my hands. I just hope that when she wakes up she doesn't hate me for telling Sarah. I trust the girl, and she's done a lot to help us.

There is some movement on the bed, the blankets rustling a bit as Liz stirs, groaning. I slowly crawl back up the bed, stopping beside her trembling figure. 

"It hurts Mack." She whines, her shoulders trembling.

"I know." I whisper back, rubbing her back gently between her wings in an attempt to ease some of the pain.

"I'm scared..." She murmurs. "If it doesn't work...." 

"I know." I echo quietly.

"Will you...will you lay with me?" She asks barely above a whisper, glancing up at me with her weary eyes. I nod, laying down on my back and she scoots over until her body touches mine, resting her head on my chest. I wrap my arm around her tightly, being careful to not touch her injured wing. My heart races having her so close, and I know she can hear it, but she doesn't seem to mind.

"Thank you." She whispers quietly. Within a few moments, her breathing slows as she falls asleep. 

I kiss the top of her head gently, "I love you.." I whisper to her, even though I know she won't hear me, and close my eyes, the world slowly drifting away.

~[-]~

Sunlight shines through the curtains, slowly lighting the room until I stir awake. I slowly open my eyes finding a sleeping Liz still curled against me leaving a warmth along my side. I smile as she snuggles closer, frowning when I hear an audible 'humph' a door slamming shut.

"Why does he have to be so jealous?" Liz mumbles against me, still half asleep. I run my hand gently through her hair, kissing the top of her head.

"He'll get over it." I assure her. "Hows your wing?"

"I think it's healing." She breathes out, glancing up at me with a small smile, but I can still see the pain in her eyes.