The Unseen

Chapter 2

The owl walked with the kitten, the moonlight and street-lamps guiding them. They stuck to alleyways, ducking in the shadows.

"We're going to cross the street here," the black-haired whispered to his anxious companion, "We'll go one at a time." He flew silently across the street, unheard, unseen. They waited a moment, and then the kitten scrambled across. The first congratulated the second, and the two continued.

The owl cocked his head around a corner, scanning the road.

"We can pass here," he whispered, "The only thing open is a fast-food joint." They began to slink down the sidewalk. The only man there to see was the restaurant's manager, about to lock the doors. He happened to see the two children, and casually strolled over to them.

"Hola, niños," the man greeted through his mustache, "You have a place to stay, no?" The smaller jolted his head, terrified, but his companion put a soothing wing around him.

"No sir," the owl replied.

"No?" The man responded, his accent as thin as than his facial hair, "The restaurant is empty. You come with me, no?" The older nodded with a thankful smile, and the pair followed him across the street. The man unlocked the store, and hurried them inside before entering himself. He sat the kids down near the back, and told the last employee to make two burgers.

"How long have you been homeless?" the manager asked, placing the cheeseburgers before them.

"Two days," he replied as the younger devoured his sandwich, "Our families have... drug issues."

"I am sorry, niños." The owl thanked him for his kindness. He stayed with the two a long time, before standing up and brushing the dust off his uniform.

"I have to go now," the manager finally said, "But I have to leave. You can stay here tonight. Good luck." They thanked him as he left, and the elder turned to his companion.

"My name is Shae," he told the kitten, "Do you have a name?"

"Cody," he replied, "I gave it to myself."

"Can you read?" the owl asked, prodding further. Cody shook his head sheepishly. Shae rummaged through the restaurant, and found a pad of paper and a pen.

"I'll teach you," he offered, "Do you want to learn?" Cody nodded eagerly.

"Alright," Shae began, uncapping the pen, "Let's start with the alphabet." Shae taught for several hours before Cody fell asleep. Shae kept watch, and wrote a note the the manager:

Dear sir, we thank you for your kindness. I hope you won't mind us permanently borrowing a pen and a pad of paper. We'll have left as soon as my companion wakes up. Many thanks.

Shae put the note outside the manager's office, and kept watch beside his friend. He began to write some more:

It has been two years since I have been cast from my world and my fiancé. Two more remain. The laboratory knows nothing of this, and I pray they never will.

My companion, Cody, is sleeping. He has proven to be a quick learner, memorizing the alphabet in about an hour. I hope to leave when he wakes up; the sooner we leave, the safer the manager will be. I have thought to tell him, but I fear he wouldn't understand.

Unlike what Shae had hoped for, they would stay long enough for the manager to return. The owl did not like coming out in broad daylight. The manager, however, brought gifts.

"Sorry if the clothes don't fit," he said as he threw the clothes in front of them, "I kind of had to eyeball it."

"Sir," Shae refused as Cody eagerly slipped into the clothes, "This doesn't seem..." The manager merely laughed, and insisted. The owl observed himself and his companion in the garments, and was shocked as to only muster a 'thank you.' The manager smiled through his mustache, and handed them each 50 dollars and a long pocketknife.

"I hope you don't have to use these," he whispered, "I'll take you out the back entrance." They followed his lead, and he waved as they left.

"Do you think..." Cody stuttered, "Do you think we'll see him again?" Shae looked at the clouds.

"Probably not."