Fly Free: A LGBTQ story.

Chapter Two

I open my eyes and sit up with a gasp, my eyes locked on a hard metal door.

In a panic, I look to my left, to see Reese laying there, his wings, once brilliant red and gold, now looking dull and twitching nervously. Looking closer, I see that his left wing had been tagged, the number, "249" printed in dark black ink.

Next to him lay Luca, his blue and brown wings tinted red with blood, strapped down to the table he lay on. I managed to make out the numbers, "250," printed like Reese's.

I winced, looking back to my own deep grey and purple wings. Instead of black in, on my right wing read in white in, "248," the white ink making it stick out like a target.

On my right lay many people I could recognize and name, the people grew up with, my fellow Flightlings.

I open my mouth to try to communicate with Luca or Reese when I see the doors open.

I slam my body down back on the table, feigning sleep.

The unknown voices of men blared in my ears, my body freezing in panic.

"Wow, so these are the people, heh?"

"Yes, Todd. As you asked, we tested them while they were asleep earlier and found some, differences. When will you, *ehem*, split them up?"

Split them up. I don't like the sound of that. Hopefully, they mean in groups...

"Well, I plan on doing it soon. Possible tomorrow, after they eat. Continue the testing. I must get back to my family."

"Affirmative sir."

The sound of the large doors closing once more floods my ears, overriding the sound of my heartbeat which was booming through my brain.

The voice of the second man booms again, bright white lights shining through the crack in my eyes.

I groan involuntarily, and my eyes open slowly, seeing once again the room, but now in the light.

"RISE AND SHINE, BIRDIES."

I hear soft cooing from the children, a sound not uncommon at home, but must be strange here.

Blindingly white floors glare at me, the dark walls contrasting with it. There were no windows and it had a very high ceiling, high enough we could all fly comfortably.

"Now, birdies, if I let your restraints go, you must try not to escape. Trying so will result in you all being tranquilized once more.

Tranquilized. What does that mean? Once more, he said. Is he talking about the darts? Were the darts "tranquilized"?

"Now, will you agree to not escape?"

Mumbled agreements are heard from the right of me, but Luca and Reese stay silent. I risk a peek at the two of them to see them both still knocked out, their wings faint, unlike the two of them who are usually proud and keep their wings arched.

Footsteps approach me and I tense, waiting for pain. Instead, I hear a soft "click" and feel the restraints loosen.

I wait until everyone had been released to raise my arms and I hear, "Uh, uh. No. Wait until I leave, then you may leave. Arms down, 248."

I flinch, hearing him call out the number they had tagged me with.

After a few moments, I hear a "Play nicely," then the sound of the door opening.

I glance up to see the man I had heard before, a short stout man with dark hair, wearing a lab coat.

The door clicks shut.

We're all alone to ourselves now.