Learning To Fly With Broken Wings

Chapter Ten : Waking Up

Jacinda's POV

I woke up and the first things I hear are gasps and pained groans, the first things I feel is the pain from my wing and a slight pain on my fist, and the first things I see is a woman who is looking at me with wonder and Joel holding his stomach.

"Sorry Joel" I said not breaking eye contact with the woman.

"It's okay, but next time a little warning" said Joel.

"Sometimes my body does things without warnings to protect me" I said, Joel didn't answer back.

"You have questions for me, I see it in your eyes" I said.

"I do, for starters what are you?" Asked the woman.

"I am what we call avians" I said.

"You mean bird people?" Asked the woman.

"Yes, but call avians just avians, not bird people...some avians find it somewhat offensive" I said.

"Okay, what is your name?" Asked the woman.

"My name is Jacinda" I said.

"Beautiful name, my name is Lisa" said Lisa, then it was silent for a bit.

I then broke eye contact with Lisa and looked to Joel, who was waiting patiently for something.

"What is it Joel?" I asked looking at him.

"Who shot you?" Asked Joel.

"I don't know, but whoever it was I didn't see until it was too late" I said.

Then Joel didn't say anything again and looked out the window.

I then turned back my attention to Lisa.

"Are you Joel's mother?" I asked getting a surprised look by Lisa.

"Yes, Joel is my son and where is your family" said Lisa.

"My father died when I was 8 years old and my mother is still alive, but ignores me and protects the roost" I said.

Both Joel and Lisa didn't say anything for a while, "What is the roost?" asked Joel.

I looked at him and Lisa, deciding if I should tell these people who happened to save my life about where I live.

I sighed, "the roost is my pet name for my home, which is in the rocky mountains" I said.

"So there is a whole flock of avians?" Asked Lisa.

"Yes" I said, no one said anything until I heard a faint voice.

"Mommy when can I come see it?" Said a voice.

"Who was that?" I asked.

"My little sister, Echo" said Joel.

"Does she know about me?" I asked.

"No, she thinks you are a wounded animal and she wants to see you" said Lisa.

"Can she?" asked Joel.

"How old is she again?" I asked.

"8 years old" said Joel.

"Sure, she can see me" I said, both Lisa and Joel looked surprised by my answer.

Then Lisa went towards the closed door and opened it.

"Echo come upstairs if you want to see it" said Lisa. Then I heard quick footsteps running up the stairs, Lisa went out of the room to stop Echo from just coming in here and to warn her that it is no ordinary animal.

"You ready?" Asked lisa from outside of the door, I nodded and Joel responded with a simple "yes".

Then the door opened slowly and the first person in was a small girl.

She had Lisa's blue eyes, but Joel's wavy brown hair and fair skin. Echo's face only showed wonder and curiosity.

"Hello my name is Jacinda, what is yours" I said.

Echo went behind Lisa, but Lisa pushed her gently forward.

Echo didn't look at my face, but my wings. "My name is Echo" said Echo softly.

"What beautiful and unique name" I said.

Echo then didn't say anything, I looked to Joel and Lisa who were next to each other near the door.

Joel shrugged his shoulders and Lisa gave me an encouraging smile.

I then looked to Echo who was just standing there on the left side of my bed.

"Would you like to feel my wing?" I asked.

"Sure" said Echo shyly.

Then Echo walked over and as she did, I stretched my left wing out.

Echo stopped and held out her right hand towards my wing.

Then she laid her hand on my wing and she smiled, "It is so soft" said Echo.

"Yes, but sometimes they are hard and tough" I said.

"They are pretty" said Echo.

"Yes, they are" I said.

Then I pulled my wing back and Echo looked almost disappointed.

Lisa saw it as a sign that I wanted some rest.

"Okay Echo, I think Jacinda wants to get some rest" said Lisa.

"Okay, but will she be here. tomorrow?" asked Echo.

"Yes, she needs to stay with us for two to four weeks for her right wing to heal" said Lisa.

Then Echo ran out of the room with a cry of joy.

"Well she latched on quick to you" said Joel.

"I guess" I said, then I yawned and looked out the window and saw the sun was setting.

"We will let you get some rest" said Lisa and had to pull Joel out of the room.

I smiled at the thought that he wanted to watch over me.

Then a thought came into mind, "who did shoot me and why?".