Hunter's Fowl; Starling

The Invasion

I was usually greeted at Edgebrooke with cheers- only a year before, I had saved Miles and Billy from a fire that broke out in town square, then survived being stabbed in the back (thank goodness spiders are not particularly strong!) I was something of a hero.

But the streets were desolate at this time of night. The moon was high in the sky, redder that a postman butterfly's majestic wings. The streets were lit only with small, translucent crystal lamps with a teeny, fluttering flame inside.

The silence was unbearable, but I withstood my urge to shout.

"Where are we?" my sister asked my dad, who sniffed the air with a little uncertainty.

"Excuse me, who let you humans in here?" an eagle asked it it's best crumbly English, landing on my shoulder. I winced a bit as it's claws dug into it.

"Can't you recognize us?" I said, then, remembering that it was dark and I had a flashlight in my hand, I lifted it and our small group of five lit up.

"Oh, excuse me. I've had to be extra careful since the snakes first invaded this area. We've had to give up a few roads leading in between Mayrow and Serpentinia to them. I saw them coming up the road with large artillery once."

"Seriously?! Why was I never told?" I asked.

"You didn't know? We sent out a messenger..."

"When?"

"Early Summer..."

"Ah. I was gone."

"Oh yeah? Doing what?"

"The usual."

"Which is...?"

"Saving the world."

"You're funny."

"I know I am."

"Anyways..." he started, not sure how to continue the conversation, "What brings you to Edgebrooke?"

"My family has been given a death threat that tonight, we are going to be killed. I didn't want to risk it, so we ran away."

"Hmm. Feel free to stay at my place tonight- it's just down the road."

"Thank you..." I stated with a whithering grin, "we willingly accept your offer."

"What's it saying?" my mom asked, as she was one of the only ones of the who didn't understand Aviauri.

"We have a place to stay."

"Say thanks."

"I did."

"M'kay."

I had never seen my mom look so utterly helpless and tired; Two dark splotches scarred her gray eyes, and she appeared saddened. In these darkening times, I don't know who wouldn't agree more. But her gratitude to the sentinel was genuine.

That was all I cared about right now. I was far to tired for much else.

*********

*Interlude- Taylor*

Never in my life did I feel more scared for my friend than I did that night. I realize that Hunter has been through far more than I have with all the hospital visits he's come out of nearly unscathed.

But the reality is, he just got his first death threat, and I can't exactly ignore that. He's a year younger than I am and just got his driver's license this past month. He wasn't safe, no matter how much he tried to console me.

I lay awake in my bed, listening to everyone else snoring. They were all asleep. But not me. I stayed awake and stared up at the ceiling, questions whizzing throughout my mind. I looked at Hunter, who was peacefully asleep. Then I took out my phone and played a game for a while. I watched my character run across the digital landscape. I watched my character fight off creatures twice his size.

I saw my character die.

I didn't sleep at all that night. Must have been the fear I swallowed for dinner.