Quickly hiding under the table, my heart races, feathers fluffing without meaning to as my body reacts before I can think. Worry creeps in as my parents approach, and I don't know how they'll react. Charlie jogs over to talk to them as Shiners tells me, <Just relax. Whatever happens, we're here.> I know... just relax. This will go well. Believe in them.
My mom gets out of the car while my dad is already talking to Charlie. I can't really hear them at that distance, and with the headlights I can mostly just see their outlines. After a few moments, they start walking over, and soon I can hear them.
Charlie sighs once he's close enough. ``Mike is going through some things that are complicated. It's easier for you to see them yourself. And Mike was unsure about Sarah knowing about it, as she might accidentally tell others.''
My dad looks angry and upset as he scans the area. ``So where is he? I'm tired of the games. He went home sick yesterday, except he doesn't, and then misses school today. If he doesn't have a good excuse, he's grounded.''
I fight the urge to snort. Grounding me would be hard to pull off unless he plans to clip my wings.
My mom speaks up. ``He's not in trouble, is he?'' She has a worried look on her face as she tries to spot me. For a second I think she sees me, but the shadows should keep me hidden.
I gulp, suddenly unsure if I want to show myself. Backing up a little, my feathers fluff as my talons brush against the snow, making a soft sound.
Charlie motions to where I'm hiding under the picnic table. My instincts scream at me to fly.
When they get closer, my mom looks around and asks, ``So where is he? I don't see anyone other than that crow over there.'' She motions to Shiners, who is visible on top of the roof. I hear a brief laugh from him mentally.
Charlie sighs. ``Your son is here, and he's nervous, so please don't panic or think this is a joke. It's all real. I had a hard time believing it myself.'' He takes a deep breath, trying to steady himself. ``You're not going to believe what happened. Not right away.''
<You got this. Just try to relax. You look ready to bolt,> Shiners says.
My dad frowns, getting annoyed. ``This is getting ridiculous. I'm not here to play games. If he's here, then have him show up or we're leaving.''
I force myself still. ``Okay, Mike, you can come out now,'' Charlie says. Come on. We can do this. It's your family.
Instead of coming out, another wave hits. No! I can't!!! I won't! My instincts surge, pushing me to flee.
Charlie frowns when I still don't come out and calls again, ``Mike, come out. Your parents are here.''
Shiners looks like he's about to say something but holds back. I assume he's giving me a chance to do it myself.
``MIKE, GET OUT!'' my dad shouts.
The sound nearly sends me launching into the air, but it also freezes me in place just long enough to step forward, shaking. I'm not going to run... I really don't want to run.
I don't realize I'm holding my breath until I see the confusion, anger, and disbelief on my parents' faces, and then I finally let it out. My dad's fists ball up, and my mom gives Charlie a questioning look.
All I can do is watch them for a few moments before my dad finally speaks up. ``Is this some kind of joke? I said bring out my son, not some stupid bird.''
I wince and try not to take it personally. Shiners ruffles his feathers and mutters just loud enough for me to hear, <I'll show him stupid bird.>
My mom stares at me, trying to figure out what's going on, then looks to Charlie. ``Where is our son, and why did you bring an eagle here?'' She gives me an odd glance, probably wondering what an eagle is doing out and about at night, let alone this close.
Neither of them believes us. My heart races in panic as I fluff my feathers, my breathing quickening while I try to calm down.
``How many eagles have you seen get this close to humans?'' Shiners asks. He glances toward me. <You're starting to panic. We're here for you.>
The complete and utter shock on their faces would have been comical in any other situation as they stare with open mouths at him. After a moment to recover, my dad finally says, ``Great... now a talking raven. What kind of trick are you trying to pull?'' His face shows a mix of disbelief and confusion.
He looks back to Charlie, ignoring me and Shiners for the moment. ``Where is he? I'm so beyond fed up,'' he says, his voice shaking with anger but also hurt.
I finally manage to speak as Shiners translates, <Dad, it's really me... please...> Wanting to say more but unable to think straight, a weird calm flows over me.
My dad glares at Shiners, ignoring me. ``You're telling me that he's my son?'' he asks, the anger in him more pronounced.
Not knowing what else to do, I finally step out into the moonlight and write my name in the snow. I keep looking up at them for a reaction or recognition. Anything to show my parents believe it's me. A glimmer would have been fine.
My mom gasps. ``Hon, that eagle just wrote `Mike' in the snow.''
My dad looks over at the snow, stares for a long moment, then shakes his head in denial. ``That's ridiculous. An eagle can't write. It must have been there to begin with.''
``That is NOT my son,'' he snaps.
The words hit harder than I expect. Panic surges back, sharp and overwhelming. I flap my wings, backing up as every muscle tightens. No no, noise, loud. GO AWAY.
Shiners' words cut through the conversation as he notices me. <Guys, I think he's having a panic attack.>
My breathing gets quicker as I feel the world spin, trying to back up and fluff out my feathers, my body giving in to instinct as I flap my wings and skree, trying to scare away the feeling. DANGER!
My dad jumps back, shocked. ``See, that's not our son. That's just a dangerous wild animal,'' he says, making a shooing motion out of fear.
Looking at me, my mom tries to calm the situation. ``Honey, even if that's not our son, you're scaring him. Calm down,'' torn between believing and the reality of the situation.
Charlie calls out, ``You're making it worse. Do you want to lose your son?''
The last thing I hear as instinct takes over and I give a strong SKREEE! is my dad shouting, ``THAT'S NOT MY SON!''
One second I'm on the ground. The next, I'm high in the sky, the world blurring beneath me. I'm flying along the coast, needing to escape.
My mind and muscles refuse to turn back. All I know is that I have to get away.
Maybe I hear <MIKE!!>. I can't tell, and I can't respond.
