I am silent for a bit after leaving home again, this time feeling far better about it. My parents seem okay, even if they are confused about things. My sister does not know yet, but she seems to like me. For now, I have something, a chance at a future, even if it is just as the family dog. We are about three blocks away from my house when I hear a whistle. Charlie motions to a tree as Shiners flies down. I circle above, still trying to get used to the dead air, which makes gliding hard.
I watch the final hints of the sunset as it starts to grow dark. I still have yet to get used to how different it looks with my new eyes. Shiners finally speaks up to me. <Charlie is wondering where we should stay tonight. He does not know if anything is good near his place, and the fort can work. He can grab us some supplies and meet us there, then drop in during the morning.>
I think at this. <Let us do the fort. There might be a better place near Charlie, but if we cannot find it, we have the same trouble of getting back here. The sun is setting also.> I say as I watch Shiners speak with Charlie, who then gives a thumbs up.
A moment later, Shiners flies back up. <He says good plan and will meet us at the fort in about an hour.> he says. I give one last skree down to Charlie before flying off with Shiners in the direction of the fort.
Soon we are flying over the forest, and I can see the school in the distance. Barely any lights are on, just one classroom and the front door lights. Once again, I feel the loss of a place I never liked but did not hate either. Shortly, the fort comes into view as we make our descent, and I manage to gracefully land on the window ledge. By that, I mean I only clip one feather this time.
Shiners drops into the fort as he looks around, finding the blanket from a few nights before still there, if a bit stiff and cold. I look around. <Hopefully this will be one of the last times we sleep here, though it will still be handy for meeting Charlie when he is at school.> I say, trying to keep the odd bit of home this feels from my voice.
Shiners nods as he looks around. <I hope you will not forget about me when you are home and lavishly enjoying a nice warm house.> he says, giving me a playful nudge.
I shake my head and give him a side glance, trying to hide my mirth. <You are welcome to join me in the shed, and once I am a dog, maybe we could convince the family to treat you as a pet raven or something. I do not know if you would prefer it outdoors, but believe me, I will not forget about you. You have helped me through everything.>
Shiners shakes his head, laughing. <Is that even allowed or common? I have seen a few captive ravens, but usually ones that are injured, and no one keeps them as pets. I am not sure I would want to stay indoors all the time, but the offer is appreciated. As long as you come out and see me every day, it will be fine. Plus once you have control over shifting, you can be a wolf or an eagle whenever it tickles your fancy.>
I look at him sincerely as I nudge him with my beak, almost bowling him over as he gives an annoyed kaw. I give an apologetic look. <Sorry, but what I said is still an offer. I would not take your freedom away. I just want to avoid leaving you behind. I do not plan to, but it will be a few weeks before I should shift back into an eagle again. Who knows how long it will take me to get back to eagle after becoming a wolf. I might be able to do it right away, or it might take time.>
Shiners gives me a half glare at that. <I knew you were a brute bully of an eagle, bullying a poor defenseless raven like myself. I should abandon you to your fate.> he jokes, trying his best to look indignant, but I can tell he still cares.
I am about to show him who the brute bully is, but I stop myself as I hear the noise of someone climbing the ladder outside. Soon Charlie pops in with a groan. ``I got you some food, mostly raw meat and steak, and some hand warmers. I hope they worked great last time,'' he says.
Shaking my head at the great timing, I fluff my feathers out. <They were pretty decent last time. They definitely helped and were very appreciated.> I say as I eye the bag, smelling the chicken and meat.
He shoos me gently while laughing. ``Mind your manners. You may be an animal, but that does not mean you act like one,'' he says, as he carefully pulls out a plastic and styrofoam container of chicken wings and drumsticks.
Shiners laughs at this, shaking his head. <Mike, you are a dignified eagle. Take your time, then devour. Plus you tend to get more if you do not risk taking fingers at the same time.> he says, speaking from obvious experience.
I give my head a shake as I shrug. <I am waiting patiently.> I say while my instincts tell me to drag everything out of the bag and eat it if edible, and maybe even if it is not. I am definitely finding it hard to fight the animal instincts to just dig in and scarf everything at once.
Charlie smiles down at me as Shiners relays that. ``You are patient, for an eagle. At least you are not a wolf yet. I am pretty sure I would have lost a few fingers,'' he says as he unwraps the plastic wrap around the steak and does the same with the other container.
Shiners finally moves over and chuckles. <Anyone going to protest if I have some?> he asks while eyeing some of the steak.
I shake my head. <Not at all. Go ahead.> I fight the instinct to say no, but there is more than I could probably eat in a few days. At least I think so. I do not know my daily intake yet. I move over and grab one of the drumsticks once Charlie's fingers are out of the way.
Charlie chuckles. ``Thank you for not grabbing the finger food,'' he says, watching me swallow it whole. ``I am not going to get used to that. I got you another blanket. I was not sure how warm that one would be out here for a few days, and a couple of hand warmers,'' he says, activating one. ``I cannot stay too long, but I will be here before school and at lunch. Anything else you need?'' he asks.
I chuckle, admitting to one thing I could really use. <Any chance you could get me a TV with a really long extension cord?> I ask, as one of the things I really miss is the ability to watch TV. I even wonder if there are any games I could play somehow.
Charlie shakes his head. ``Though you know, that could be fun if we figure out a way for you or Shiners to play some games. I am not sure how they would work, but it would be fun to try. Maybe once you are allowed in your home you could figure it out. Your wolf might be good at something,'' he says.
I tilt my head, thinking about that. <Could be fun. If nothing else, I should at least be able to play RPGs, even if a little slow pushing buttons.> I say. I bob my head. <Thanks again for the help. You should get home, but maybe this weekend we can spend all day together somehow. It will be a lot easier once I am a wolf.>
Shiners tilts his head. <Gaming is that the weird stuff you do on those TV things? I have seen it a few times through the window. It seemed a little odd to be entertained by that. It seems too slow-paced for me.> he says.
I butt my beak against Shiners. <I think you would enjoy them if you gave them a chance. They can be good for reflexes and thinking, especially role playing games.> I say as Charlie gets up to head out.
He gives a shy grin. ``Now you two sleep well, and do not stay up all night chatting,'' he says as he begins to climb down. ``I will be back by morning.''
I groan. <Believe me, sleeping in is a bit hard when your mind wants to go do stuff as soon as there is light, and there are not exactly curtains I can close for more sleep.> I give him a light chirp as he leaves and grab a chicken leg, beginning to swallow it. I feel content. <Are you wanting anything else?> I ask.
Shiners nods his head and gives a small birdish yawn. <Thanks, and I think we should get some sleep. Like you said, the daylight calls us to action as soon as it is up.>
I nod my head at this. <I will admit, I am going to miss sleeping in during the summer.> I give a yawn and decide to save the rest for later as I grab a hand warmer and the blanket and cuddle into it. <Want to join?> I ask.
Shiners laughs, shaking his head. <You humans are so lazy. And lucky. Try sleeping when every bird decides that first thing in the morning, and sometimes not even in the morning, is the perfect time to tell everyone it is time to get up.> He moves over to cuddle next to me as I yawn and begin to drift off to sleep.
As I fall asleep, I cannot help but try to understand it all again. This is my new life. I miss my old, but it was a ton of fun to fly. How will my life change by the time I am human again? Will it still be me at the end, or something weirder?
