The Sound of the Rain was Never Louder

Murder

  I walked down the stairs, heading to the kitchen. I wanted some orange slices.
CAW CAW
  Inside all the cages were crows, instead of the beautiful forest birds. A chill ran down my spine. I'm so afraid and I don't know why. They were all staring at me. I made my way carefully across the room. I didn't wanna agitate them. All of they're eyes were on me. The gold cage sat on the cherry table in the hallway. Meepers has to be inside! I cautiously inched toward it. A large black crow was bent over something white. Ever closer I inched. I made out the figure. A white bird was being torn apart by the crow. It held it down with its fish hook like foot and dug it's hooked beak into the white bird's wings, focusing sorely on removing the wings. The sick sound of the flesh tearing and squishing. I was befuddled by the brutality. Finally the wing made a snapping sound as the tendons let lose. Thick red liquid sprayed the white feathers staining it. Turning the bird completely red.
    Horrified I turned away from the scene. The cages rattled and the crows broke out of them. A cacophony of shrieking erupted as the room turned into a fury of feathers. My back felt like it was on fire. The vicious birds were attacking my back and eventually pushed me onto the floor. Piercing my back with their beaks. And screwing their claws inside my skin. Was this how I was injured before? When Crow found me in the forest. I can't breathe, i'm choking on black feathers. I'm paralyzed. Blood in my eyes and hair.
I can't see!
Im blind!
I'm...
CAW CAW
CAW
CAW CAW
  I shot my eyes open and sat up quickly hitting my head.
"Akk!" Someone said.
  I gripped my head instinctively. I glanced around to gather my bearings. Crow was on the bed on the end. Hands cupping his nose. Oh no did I break his nose with my forehead! He must have been leaning over me to see if I was having a nightmare.
"Are you alright Crow?"
"I'll live." Crow replied nasally. "You were crying out and writing in your bed. I came to wake you up or comfort you."
He hopped off the bed and started out the door. "Lets eat breakfast together. I have to go out today." And disappeared from sight.
I stretched my muscles and got out of bed. The dresser was next to the door. I opened the top drawer first. A set of clothes was folded inside, ready to be used. A black and white long sleeved shirt, corduroy pants, and white wool socks.
CAW CAW
CAW
I can hear crows still. I peeked down the stairs. My dream still fresh in my mind. Sending goosebumps across my body. I glanced over to Crows bedroom. The door was cracked open. I focused my vision and tried to make out what was inside. There was a tall wood bird tree. Draping shiny trinkets like silver necklaces and coins.
CAW
CAW
Only now did I realize that at least 10 crows were looking back at me. Sitting on that bird tree. But something was off about these ones compared to my dream. I couldn't figure it out at the moment. And went downstairs to join Crow.

Crow made some hash browns, French toast, with a side of assorted berries. We sat together at the table in the corner of the kitchen. It was nice, the glass walls in the corner gave natural lighting. I popped a blueberry into my mouth and looked outside. It was kinda foggy and condensation was sprinkled on the glass. A blue grey color hung over the forest, must be at least 6:30 am. You couldn't see more than 35 ft outside. It must have been hot last night. The ferns and leaves hung heavy with moisture weighing them down.
"So I'll be gone most of the day today, but I promise to be home before 7 tonight." He stated scooping up his hash-browns onto his fork.
I nodded and took a bite of my French toast. I thought about what to do to pass the time while he's gone. I'll probably watch some shows, play games, or go paint a bit.. wait.. i can ask about going out. Like to the mall or a book store. I kinda wanna go out for a bit.
"Can I go out for a bit Crow?"
He stopped eating. Holding his fork mid motion. This pause made the room feel tense, I was unsure whether to continue or change the subject. Why am I reluctant to say what I think? Is it guilt? I didn't look him in the eyes at all and kept my gaze down. I prodded at my hash-browns.
Barely above a whisper, "I want to go today." I felt his eyes boring into me. This sucks.. Finally I decided to stand my ground. And looked at him. He changed his position. His elbows were on the table and his hands were horizontal, fingers interlocked. Chin resting on top of it. He didn't looked upset though.. rather... deep in thought. He bit his lip and caught my eye.
"Not today, your still healing." And gave me a sincere smile.
I wasn't satisfied with that. Then took a sip of my milk. Swishing the milk around inside the glass making a small whirlpool.
"How about going into the yard or taking a walk in the forest?" I asked.
"Absolutely not."
He gathered his dishes and went to the sink. Turning the faucet on to wash them off.
"Give me one good reason!" I yelled, I was getting pretty pissed at his dismissal now.
"There's all kinds of vicious animals in the forest around here, you don't need to go out and get yourself hurt again." He grabbed his jacket off the chair and began putting on his shoes.
"Maybe while your gone I'll head out anyway" I growled.
He didn't say anything back and walked out the front door. I ran to the door to open it and argue a bit more.
RATTLE RATTLE
It's locked, of course it's locked I thought to myself. Everyone locks the door before they walk out of their house. And stepped back to analyze the door for a moment. Until I realized this wasn't a normal door. It has no internal locking system. As if it was accidentally installed the wrong way. Did he lock it from outside? I tried the doorknob again.
RATTLE
RATTLE
Why is the door like this. It can't be.. to keep me inside...
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It was now 8 am. The fog has cleared up a bit and purple light illuminated the foliage uniquely. A lovely morning, the first birdsong was beginning to play. I'm on the second floor in the painting room.
I stood ready at the canvas contemplating what to illustrate. The scenery outside seemed fitting. Hyping up my inspiration I scanned around the area trying to focus on somewhere specific. Until my eyes locked with a pair of yellow orbs. A wolf the color of autumn was crouched low to the ground among the dead leaves.
I don't think I would have noticed if it wasn't directly staring at me. How long was it focused on me before I noticed? I looked back at it, waiting for it to make a move. Nothing happened for a good 6 minutes. So I tried waving at it, nothing. I moved all the way to the other side of the glass wall, it's head following my movements. So it isn't dead... Finally I got bored of it and went back to painting. I brought the canvas over close to the wall. So that I could paint the wolf.
First I started sketching it. I wanted to capture how it merges with its surroundings. Then came the bushes, grass, leaves. I grabbed some watercolor crayons and began to add the colors. Zigzagging the brown and tan. It was actually really helpful how still the canine was. What a great model. I peeked over the canvas and gave it a thumbs up.
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A buzzer went off from down stairs. That was the timer that Crow set for 12 to remind me to eat lunch. Which was good timing cause my piece was starting to look terrible. Everything was smeared together and hideous. Artists make it look way too easy! I took a step back to analyze where I went wrong.

Nope! Can't figure it out right now.
I walked over to the bathroom, which was the only room separating my room and Crow's. The sink was immediately to the right against the wall. With a giant square mirror attached above. Straight ahead the tub. Then a toilet between the tub and sink, leaving a path to all of these.
  My fingers felt greasy with wax and pencil lead. I turned the left handle on the sink. Warm water flowed from the faucet. I placed my hands under the water and began scrubbing away the filth. The bottom of the sink was splashed with brown and orange stains. Steam billowed up fogging up the mirror. It was very relaxing, I splashed the warm water onto my face. It felt amazing, with my eyes closed I focused on where the water was dripping down my face and head. Slowly I opened my eyes and gazed at my reflection. While looking at my reflection, using my index fingers, I traced over the different cuts on my arms that were now bandaged. A voice whispered in my head like a forgotten thought.

You are the only bird that matters

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MEEP
MEEP
   I finished the entire series of cowboy bebop. Checking the current time. It was 5 now. Two more hours till Crow comes home.
MEEP
  The whole time I was watching Cowboy bebop, I had Meeper's cage in my lap. Most of the show I played and talk to it. Allowing to to begin to respond and recognize me. Even being able to stick my hand inside its cage eating from my hand. Something so delicate and fragile.
"I love you Meepers."
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.....
...
.......
  I rose groggy, lifting my head from the comforter. The clock read 4:37 am. How did I get to my bed? I remember laying on the ground in the living room. I ate a lot of lucky charms marshmallows and crashed out on the floor with Meepers. Crow must have brought me upstairs. Now that I was over rested. I decided to head downstairs.
CAW
CAW CAW
  Was I having that nightmare again. No.. I don't think I'm asleep. I turned on the light switch. Bright light illuminated the down stairs area. I squinted my eyes and shook off my drowsiness. Meeper's cage sat back on the end table.
"Meepers~" I sang
   I closed the distance and snatched it up holding it close to my chest.
CAW CAW
   I froze and looked down inside the cage.
BANG
  The cage hit the floor loudly. My body stiff. The cage rolled on the ground. A thick black crow flapped about inside. While a mutilated red bird laid stiff and dead in the cage.