Avian

Jordan

Ava looked down at the hands that caught her.  Afraid, and even ashamed to look up, she lay on her side, curled in the fetal position.  She could feel his deep breathing touching her skin. It was heavy due to his quick reaction.  He sat up on his knees, cupping her close to his body.  Then he slowly stood up and flipped the light on.   The bright light stunned Ava, and she flinched, sinking her face deeper into his palm.  She remained still.  She could feel him swaying with each step as he walked to his bed and sat down.

Her heart was racing, fearful of being so close to a human.  She was afraid of what she might see if she looked at his face.  Disgust, anger?  He held her there for a moment, and his breathing slowed.  Then with a gentle voice spoke.  "Its alright, little one.... I wont hurt you."  At least he sounded sincere. 

Ava relaxed a little and slowly peered up towards his face.  His hair was a light brown, and his eyes, a pale shade of blue mixed with green.  He grinned as his eyes met hers.  As he did, his ears moved a little.  Ava couldn't help but stare. 

"There you go." he said with a smile. 

Ava relaxed more and started to sit up onto one palm.  As she did, He moved his other hand onto his lap.  She easily fit into one of his palms.

"My name is Jordan." he said as he lightly touched his chest. "Sorry for the scare."

His gaze kept turning to her wings.  He looked fascinated by her. 

"Hows your wing?" He asked.  His other palm moved slowely in her direction.  Ava leaned away quickly, still hesitant of the giant person holding her.  "Its alright."  He reasured her "You have nothing to fear."

Ava relaxed and inhaled deeply.  He moved his hand to her right wing cautiously and caressed it with his fingers.  It did not hurt, it was actually quite soothing.

"This is all my fault.  If only i wouldnt have enticed you, then this would never have happened."

Ava looked down, studying the creases in his palm, "No its not." She whispered.

His eyes widened. "You can speak!?"

She hesitated in respond.  While still a little tense, Ava looked up into his face.  "Of course... I can speak." 

He hesitated, staring back into Ava's eyes.  He grinned slightly in embarrassment. "Um...Sorry..my names Jordan. 

His eyes were kind.  Jordan brought her down onto a pillow, staying alert just in case she made a break for it.  He watched as she adjusted herself.  If you were looking at her in the right angle, she resemble a small bird.  She clutched her injured wing and sighed.

"May I ask, what's yours?"

"...Ava."  Her voice trembled slightly.

"Beautiful name, for a beautiful thing." He responded. 

Ava blushed slightly.  "Please,... let me go now."

Jordan rubbed the back of his neck. "Can I at least fix your wing? I um... don't want you to get attacked again."

Ava thought about the risk of being flightless would have.  What would Warren think if she returned in this state?  He would NEVER let her venture by herself again.  But if she returned strong, she could prove to Warren that she was strong enough to handle herself. 

"Promise me you will stay till i come back?" 

She inhaled and nodded. 

"I will be right back." Jordan stood next to the bed.  He had to have been about Six feet at least.  Before he walked away, he bent down, bringing his gaze to her level.  "Everything is going to be alright. I promise will help you, and then you can be on your way." Then he exited the room. 

Ava thought about what he said.  Could she trust him? Was it a trap?  Many uncertanties filled her exhausted mind.  But what choice did she have?  Even if she escaped, she would be vunerable to the animals that lingered outside.  Her survival was in Jordans hands now. 

The room had several large windows on the wall behind the desk.  It was still dark out, but it had to be getting close to dawn by now. 

"Im back." Jordan re-entered the room with something in his hand. Ava sat up curiously.  He gently sat on the bed next to her, crossing his legs.  He brought his hand out to her, revealing a small red strawberry.  Ava smiled, causing him smile in return. 

"thank you."  She reached out to grab it, pulling the berry off his hand and into her lap.  Her stomach lurched and she instinctively took a bite of the flesh.  It was so delicious.  She had never actually eaten a strawberry before.  The taste was sweeter that most of the fruit that grew in the forest. 

Jordan looked pleased that she was enjoying her snack.  "So, about your wing..."  He said, looking troubled.  His hand reached out again to examine it.  This time, Ava flinch.  In fact, she ducked, dodging him. Jordon chucked softley at her response.  "It's okay, I promise to never hurt you."

Slow and steady, he moved his hand over her wing.  Ava sat back up and straightened out.  Her heart beat quickly at first, been then she calmed, as his warm touch brushed her feathers.

Ava finished what she could (which was only about a forth of the strawberry).  Jordan watched as a huge yawn escaped her little mouth.  She was exusted from the eventful and emotionaly exhausting night.  She curled her legs up and rested her head onto the pillow.  Her wing was not as flexable as before, but she manage to cover enough of herself enough to keep warm.  Jordon just observed as her body relaxed and within a few short minutes was fast asleep.

Jordon gently lay on his stomach with his chin resting on his crossed arms, facing Ava.  He cupped his hand along her back ever so slightly, and used his thumb to gently caress her hair, trying not to wake her.  "Where did you come from?" he wispered to himself.  The thought of a creature living in the forest all these years and nobody even noticed?  Although, he had always known, but never thought he would get to be this close. 

The first time he saw an Avian, he was ten.  The Avian was spotted at the same park he found Ava.  There was a group of small birds that were eating crumbs near one of the tables near the trees.  He snuck up to scare them, but when they vanished into flight, thats when he noticed the small winged person that was not a bird, but a man with wings. His eyes locked onto Jordan, and then took off into the flock of birds, disappearing out of sight.  Jordan told his family, but no one beleived him.  All this time, he just wanted to know the truth.  The truth about what he witnessed.  To help him understand that he wasn't just making it up. 

"Your incredible." He wispered again, before lying his head down and drifting to sleep.