Beyond

Raven

As I sit on this tree I feel at peace.  It's strange how different this country is. Even the smell of the wind is different. The light conversation from the kids below makes me happy. Knowing I'm not alone. 

I wasn't long after Annie went back to the ground that I was joined by Skylar who I learned was an eagle. 

"I don't know if your mom has ever told you the story of her having you but it's really cute," Skylar told me.

"Yes, she tells me that story every birthday. How the 15 hours were worth it and that when I was born I reminded her of Apollo and that's who I am named after," I tell her.

"Listen Raven." she looked at her hand in her lap and I became very interested in the bark on the tree. "I can't imagine moving away from everything you know. However, From listening to her I know that she only did what she thought was best for you. "

"She didn't tell you the whole story then," I told her. "She told you that it was because we were found out about. Which is true. She really thinks we were because someone kept following us. But that's not why we left. I have been bullied for my entire childhood. It was nothing new. Until..."

I stopped. Was I going to admit this to her? Two months ago I tried to end it. End the bullying. End the hiding. End it all. My mum found me. Unconscious on the floor of my bedroom-

"Until what?" Skylar's words cut through my thoughts. 

"Until," I took a breath. "I tried to kill myself."

Skylar automatically hugged me. She didn't say anything. She didn't tell me it would get better or that I'm going to be ok. She just pulled me into her arms like she has known me forever. When we finally parted I saw that we had both shed a couple of tears. Before anything else had been said I heard the doorbell ring. I knew who it was already. I shifted and divebombed to the ground. I was ten feet from the door on the inside of the house that I finally landed on my feet.  I saw Apollo open the door and ran to hug the person on the other side. 

"Hey, Raven? Missed me?" Connor said into my shoulder. 

"Next time I'm waiting for the luggage with you," I said as my mums and my best friend lifted me up and spun around. Connor was the first flatmate my mum had when she moved to England and became quick friends. After going through hell and back, him walking in on a giant wolf laying on her bed, Connor knew he couldn't let my mum raise me alone or then move to a different country alone. Not that she hadn't done it before or that she was alone.

"Uh, Red?" Apollo called. "I think Raven's dads here?" 

All three of us laughed as Red walked in behind him. 

"Did I miss something?" Apollo asked.

"No," Connor explained. "I am gay. I've known since I was ten and came out when I was 14. Trust me. I'm nobody's dad."

Apollo went quiet and Ciri came in and high-fived Connor.

"And you are...?" Connor asked.

"Oh right. I am Ciri. Lucys Girlfriend." Ciri told him.

"Lucy! You forgot to tell me something!" my mum yelled into the house.

"Oh shut up! You had a secret daughter for 15 years! That I only just learned about might I add!"  Lucy yelled back at her.

"Wow, this family gets more complicated by the second." I heard Aunt Willow say from her spot on the floor of the living room. (11/6/18)