Ravenwings (Imaged + Completed) [1st in Trilogy]

Part III: Chapter 41

Woodman ushered me from the stairs, across the living room, and to the dining room. "Gentlemen, we have a guest tonight," he said as he approached the table, surrounded by all the men and loaded with food. "Be courteous."

They all gave me a nod. I didn't bother to respond, watching them all wide-eyed.

Woodman carefully laid out a napkin in his lap. "Now, let us eat."

Percy reached out and snagged the bit of venison that he'd been eyeing with his fork before anyone else could grab it. Then Craig picked up the platter and offered it to Dave, while Ben lifted a platter and helped himself.

"Mind your manners, Percy," Woodman warned. "Earnest, this looks absolutely delicious."

"Thank you, Hunter," Earnest said, ever so quietly, sitting by Hunter's side.

The two platters of carefully smoked venison were passed around, along with a side of sweet potatoes, a dish of grilled asparagus, and pot of tea.

As Woodman put a little bit of everything on my plate, I looked down at it to feel what little hunger I had vanish instantly. I couldn't bring myself to eat in front of the men as they scarfed down their own food, Percy getting it all over his fingers and licking them... The awful things they'd said to me...the even more awful things they'd done to Raven... Those men made me sick.

"Where are your manners?" Woodman asked me as he watched me look to the plate he'd served me in disgust.

"Um...th-thank you?" My throat hadn't even wanted to make a sound... It was hard to force words out my mouth.

"That's better."

The table was completely silent as everyone gave their initial dig-in to the food. Thirsty as hell, I downed the glass of water before me all at once, relieved. The food in front of me, on the other hand, was growing less appetizing by the second. I avoided any sort of eye contact by turning my eyes to my surroundings.

The open dining and living room was...woodsy, with animals stuffed and nailed to walls everywhere...but at the same time it was classy, with clean, white counters and a flat screen TV. An albino deer was the centerpiece of the living room beyond the dining room, and the chandelier above the dining table was hard to describe...fancy and modern and expensive...but decorated with deer antlers.

It was a while before anyone broke the tense silence. "Melody, I don't believe we've met. I'm Dave," the dark-haired man introduced himself, turning towards me while everyone still chowed at venison. 

"I work a lot of the research and logistics," Dave continued, "And you verified that the bird-"

"His name is Raven," I interrupted. I'm not afraid of the tech-guy.

"Hey!" Craig exclaimed, rushing to his defense and throwing down his silverware. "You treat him with some goddamn respect!"

"Thank you, I can handle this, Craig," Dave silenced, pursing his lips, before turning back to me. "You verified that the two of you verbally communicated?"