[Wait a second, I should clarify: I am not a redcoat. No, wait, I think the term is British nowadays, but whatever. Anyways, no redcoats were being chased in this scenario.]
I crashed into the woods and pushed away branches and leaves. Sadly, the shades were still on my tail, and I heard their hissing as they chased me. I ran farther and farther, leaping over fallen trees and rolling under large branches. I stopped at a huge oak and listened to find that, hey hey, the shades had gotten even closer. Even if I had stood up and fight, they would've outnumbered me 40 to 1. I grabbed two branches and hauled myself up. I was not amazing at climbing trees but I knew that it'd be my only escape. Up I went, the shades' hissings getting louder as they approached. I climbed so high that through the trees I could see dim dots that might've been the farm. Silently, I prayed to the gods that they were okay and I'd drawn away all the shades. I also prayed to the gods that Christina had found the strength to hold the doors closed and protect my other friends. The shades circled the oak as I settled quietly on the branch that was high enough to see above most trees in the woods. As I leaned against the tree, a red-tailed hawk landed on the nest at the end of the branch.
"Hey," I whispered casually as it cocked its head at me, "You nest here often?"
The hawk didn't respond, but settled into its nest and stared at me. The shades moved around but, apparently, the boy had just disappeared. Meanwhile, the hawk had approached me and I stood very still as it hopped onto my knee. I held out my arm and it settled there with its talons curled around my arm. I slowly brought him to my mouth and whispered into his ear.
"I should call you...Gabriel. Yeah, that seems likes good name," I smiled and the hawk seemed to bob it's head. Then, he pointed his beak down at the shades as if to say, 'We gonna deal with those things or what?'
"Yeah, Gabriel," I said, grinning, "I've got a plan. But I'm going to need your help." I took out a piece of parchment and a quill [Magic takes the old methods] and ink. I wrote a note on a piece of paper then tied it to Gabriel's foot. I prayed to God that my plan would work as the hawk flew towards the farm. I waited, waited, and waited, until the bright spot of light in the distance appeared. Moments later, the shades reformed ranks and marched away as Gabriel flew back to me without the note.
"Nice boy," I laughed as I pet him. The hawk seemed to like that because it nuzzled my face and called quietly, "Lets go get our friends."
And with that, me and my new friend Gabriel climbed back down the oak.
An hour later, me and my new hawk friend were waiting outside the Rivera house, casually waiting for my friends to find me. Sure enough, there came a gray van driving up the street with a dark skinned teenage boy with curly hair sitting behind the driver's seat, laughing. Carter pulled the van up and rolled down the window, laughing, "You son of a-"
The van door slid open and my red haired beauty got out before he could finish. Christina jumped at me and I caught her and hugged her while she wrapped her legs around me.
"We thought you were dead!" She shouted, like I was a bad boy, "We thought the hawk was some trick! Burning down the barn was...was crazy!"
Walt and Sadie got out as well. They were all smiling and laughing as they asked me question after question. I kinda just smiled and said 'yeah' and 'oh yeah' but I wasn't really focusing on their questions. Christina hugged me tight as I suspended her in the air. I watched as Gabriel settled on my other shoulder and pecked at strands of Christina's hair.
"Hey, Lovebirds," Sadie said, shaking Christina. Gabriel cawed disapprovingly and Sadie shot the bird a look, "Ugh. Anyways, lets go. We've got to find somewhere to stay or we're out in the rain." She pointed up at the dark storm clouds and I nodded. We piled in the van, even Gabriel, and hit the road. I held Christina and she fell asleep on my shoulder. I kissed her cheek and she smiled.
And for that one golden moment, life was looking up.
