Shadow's wings sliced through the night sky. His eyes scanned a large meadow. Suddenly, his sharp barn-owl ears detected a sound.
Rustle rustle rustle.
Stopping in mid-air for one second, Shadow's eyes locked on his prey. The night's cool mist brushed past his face as he dove into the underbrush, landing neatly on a plump vole. His talons dug into the creature, coloring the forest floor with red.
Rising out of the meadow, Shadow listened to the wind as it swept its hands across the leaves of trees. The soft drip drop of water, a small result from the midnight mist. Any other sounds of scuttling claws across the ground were gone.
Satisfied with his catch, Shadow flew over across the meadow, his silent wings moving gracefully as if swimming slowly through maple syrup. He made his way over to a forest at the edge of the meadow, the dense woods leaving a noticeable pine tree smell. The branch of a tall oak shook as Shadow landed on his favorite tree.
Shadow's eyes looked at the night sky with interest. The beauty of the sorrow-filled darkness touched his heart. Regret swam through his emotions until Shadow forced himself to look away.
Just the sight of it made him want to hide.
Back when he was only an owlet, a forest fire tore out all the life in the woods and spit them out into the night. His parents had seen their neighbors trapped behind a wall of flames, so they went to help. But the rescue was a failure, and Shadow could do nothing but fly away in terror, the images of his parents' burning carcasses forever haunting him. The moon had been his only light besides the flames always dancing behind his mind.
His parents had risked their lives to save others. Their lives had a purpose. Shadow's life was filled with nothing. Nothing but the cold dark chamber of loneliness.
Shadow curled up into a tiny ball, the pictures of his old life soaring through his brain. His memories of that family joy, the memories of family hope, and the memories of family love taunted him until his heart had been shattered, for what seemed to be the millionth time.
All he wanted was that feeling, that burning sensation, the calming. All he wanted was love.
YOU ARE READING
Howl of an Owl
AdventureShadow is a young orphan owl, with wings of the stars and destiny on his talons. When his world begins to crumble, he receives a prophecy that puts him out on a journey: he must find the lost beasts of the forest. Wolves.
