Raven

The Top Hat

                Ow. My head is throbbing, and the world feels like it is moving. Taking stock of my body I realize it is not just my head. My body screams as if I have broken every bone in my body and then allowed fire ants to gnaw on what remained. Opening my eyes, I am blinded by bright light. A child's face covered in dirt is looking down at me as the sky and trees move above his head. Wait they are not moving, we are. Is he carrying me? It's clearly a child's face but why is it so big. Ugg I think I am going to be sick.

              "Don't worry Pretty Raven, I will bring you to my hideout. You'll be safe there." What? What is this kid talking about, what Raven?

              "I like your top hat, and don't worry I won't tell anyone you're a villain." Hat what hat? Wait, who's a villain? I am so confused, and everything hurts. Every jostle of movement causes more agony. I can't think properly.

              "Edmond, where are you!" A woman yells in the distance and the kid's eyes grow wide. His hands grip me tighter. Then the trees start going by faster and faster before it all but blurs above us.

              "I would take you home with me, but Lupine would get mad. She doesn't like villains. So, you will have to stay here." I let out a tortured cry that sounds far from human as pain slices down my sides. It is so intense it takes me a moment to realize I have been rolled off his hands and placed on something course and bumpy. I struggle to sit up and get my bearings while looking up at his innocent eyes. "I will come back later. Don't worry though, you'll be safe here. Not even Lupine has found my hideout yet." He turns to walk away.

           "Wait!" I croak out. But it sounds like a squawk. "I don't understand."

           "Don't worry Raven, I'll be back. I promise." He waves back at me as he runs towards the sound of that woman's voice.

            I take a moment to breathe through the pain trying to remember what happened. It's all just blank. My name is... My name is...uggg. My headache intensifies as I struggle to think. Why can't I remember!

            Raising my hand to rub away the throb behind my eyes. I see large black feathers move in front of my face. I scream as it moves towards me and instinctively, I try to grab at them. Another set of feathers enters my vision and moves towards me. I freeze. Shaking my arms, I watch as the feathers shake in response. Oh no, no, no, no. I look down past the shiny black feathers lining my chest to my feet. Long grey talons with black claws flex as I stretch them out above twigs. Twigs and straw line the floor beneath me. I am in a nest, I have black feathers, and raptor feet. Oh gods, I'm the Raven. I reach up to my head and feel out the shape of a hat. I try to yank it off. Excruciating pain shoots through me far worse than anything before. My vision dims before it all goes black.