The ShapeShifters Book Two

Camouflage

A warm and welcoming home, full of the two people Ollie loved. His two parents. His two alive parents.

How could this be possible? His parents had died in a car crash, one that almost mutilated him in the process. He could still remember that day vividly.

Age ten, sitting in the backseat of the minivan his parents had owned. They were just driving on the freeway, heading home after a long trip to their extended family. It was late at night, and his parents didn't notice the wrong way driver without their headlights on, heading a direct course to their car.

It was too late when his dad saw the car. Two vehicles ramming into one another at over seventy miles an hour. The doctors said Ollie shouldn't have been able to survive the accident, as neither the drunk driver or his parents did.

Instead Ollie was left, with some very concerned doctors and some extended family. To this day, Ollie didn't know why the doctors didn't put him in some sort of science lab. Didn't they see the wings?

Shaking his head, Ollie managed to focus on his family. His father spoke up, his warm voice all too familiar.

"They never knew. Someone came in that day, a man in his young thirties, and told you that you would be safe. The doctors knew nothing about the wings, and the man was able to take you to your grandparents. I believe he said his name was Flyyn."

Ollie had sudden memories of the man visiting him and telling him he would be alright. He was gentle and had a certain voice that Ollie would never forget.

"Chris." He breathed. Chris had been there that day, making sure he would be safe. It all made sense now.

"What's that son?" His mother asked from where she was knitting next to the fireplace. "I don't remember a Chris."

Shaking his head, Ollie instead decided to talk about Flyyn, the name Chris took. "Tell me more about Flyyn."

His parents beckoned him over, and they all sat together by the fire.

"Flyyn was special, that was for sure." Ollie's father sighed. "He helped you learn how to use the wings properly, and even showed you how to hide them if you ever needed to."

Gasping, Ollie almost fell over. That was why his wings disappeared! Chris taught him a self defense mechanism in case he ever needed it.

"He was over often, but one day he disappeared, you hadn't seen him since. I reckon he had other things to do than take care of children." His father tilted his head thoughtfully. "He kind of treated you like his own son, willing to take care of you and guide you. But he also treated you like a friend, listening to you, and even opening up about a few things."

Ollie had no doubt now that this Flyyn was Chris. How had his parents come here? They must be memories, and them talking was his mind trying to figure things out. So why now? Why did it take so long to figure out?

A creaking of a door sounded deeper in the house.

"What?" Ollie blinked, looking at his parents again. They simply smiled and waved at him before he was yanked out of his sleep.

"Can you believe it? I think I might finally have the endurance thing down!" Nick's jolly voice roused Ollie from his unconsciousness.

"I'll believe it when I see it." Ryan teased back.

"Oh, hallo there Ollie. Did I wake you?" Nick seemed genuinely sorry.

"Nah," Ollie lied, not ready to talk about what he had just learned. "Just preparing for my early morning rising time.

"You should have Grace wake you up," Nick replied, grabbing his hoodie. "She is always up early and would gladly wake you up.

"Did I hear my name?" Grace popped her head in the room, quite a big risk if you ask Ollie. She looked like she was already ready for bed, wearing a bunny onesie. Ollie had learned not to question her outfit choices, as she was a spectacular designer and architect, better in the fine details.