Flying Freedom (ON HOLD)

Chapter 33

When I wake up, the last thing I expect is that it's still dark outside. Unfortunately, that is the case. I'd look to see what time it is, but we lost power, remember? If only I could look at the clock... oh, wait! I feel really stupid now that I just thought of my phone. I am such an idiot. Pulling it out, I check around to make sure I won't wake anyone up. Yup, everything looks fine. I turn it on and blink a few times due to the brightness. Squinting, I go to settings and quickly change it. Well, I guess I deserve that after I left it on the highest setting. Ironically, I never notice that until it is dark outside or something and I just woke up. Life can be unfair sometimes. Sighing, I turn off my phone and look around again. Luckily for me, no one woke up from that sudden change in light. What should I do now? I'm wide awake and the house is still dark. My stomach growls, making me sigh. Looks like I'm going to have a midnight (or early morning) snack. Standing up, I stretch before flapping my wings. Huh? Something feels different. Peeking around my shoulder, I pull my wings around me to see that the feathers are all rumpled and not neat at all. Great, I guess I will also have to do some 'grooming' - my favorite! Groaning, I let them snap back to being folded and make my way into the kitchen, where it's still dark. Oh, wait. If we had no power, wouldn't everything in the fridge go bad? Then we'd have to go shopping AGAIN. Opening the fridge, the light is off (duh) but still feels a bit cold. Well, that's good. I shut it quickly and make my way over to the pantry. I open the door (which echoes off the walls quietly) and peek inside. Hmmm.... what to have now? Rummaging through everything, I spot some granola bars. I grab the box and bring it over to the counter, where I look at what's inside. I am so lucky to have night vision - the bars aren't granola, they're oat!

"Jackpot!" I squeal softly, grabbing a bunch (I'd say about 5) and putting the box back where I found it. Then, I go to the stairs before stopping. Checking on everyone, I don't think I woke anyone up. I didn't do anything loudly, but it can't hurt to look anyway, right? I walk upstairs before I flop down on my bed and open a bar. Biting into it, I sigh before grinning. These things are AWESOME! Honestly, oat is way better than granola (which may contain oats but also a mixture of other grains and stuff). Thinking about my wings, I remember that I have to 'organize' them or something. I groan and pull my wings over my lap before putting down the oat bar and rubbing my hands over the feathers. I straighten them out and make everything look smooth (also better for aerodynamics) before looking over it all and nodding when I think it looked better. Now I do the other one. Luckily, that takes less time and I am soon scarfing the oat bar again. Aww.... this one ended! I guess I would need to open another - whatever. When they are all gone, I look around my room looking for something to do. I'd go back downstairs and fall asleep, but I'm still too awake to do it. I guess that leaves exercise. Flopping down onto the floor, I do some stretches before getting into postion and doing ten push-ups. When I am done with those, I wait a minute or so before doing ten more and a 30-second plank. I'd do some pull-ups, but I'd rather not go outside to so them. Plus, if I didn't go outside, I'm not entirely sure that my ceiling fan could hold my weight - probably not. I could just do more push-ups, right? Sighing, I get ready to do some more before I freeze. There are footsteps coming up the stairs, but last time I checked, everyone was asleep! They could just be someone else that woke up, right? RIGHT?!? I peek around the corner and quickly wish I hadn't. The people coming up are not anyone I know... wait, they look kind of familiar. Oh, my gosh. I feel so stupid right now. It's Lachlan and Vikk! Wait, I thought they were somewhere else! I run out of the room and give them a giant hug. Protesting, they soon realize it's me and hug back.

"Hi Dash," Lachlan grins, while Vikk keeps hugging me.

"Ummm... Vikk? I can't breathe here..." I sigh, making them both laugh and back away. "What are you both doing here?"

"Oh, nothing. We just thought we'd stop in and say hi!" Vikk shrugs, making Lachlan roll his eyes.

"No duh," he says, raising an eyebrow and laughing. We all just stand there for a minute before Vikk steps backwards in shock.