A Second Chance

No one appreciates the beauty of night time, the hypnotic rhythm of cricket song, the gentleness of the cool breeze or the comfort darkness provides as it swallows the world. During the day you see and hear every creature, tree, rock and man. To be honest, day time shows you how crowded and blinding the world is.

“It’s absolutely nauseating,'' thought Hawkeye. His spot provided him the perfect view of the moon through the window and the light show it played across the nearby stream. While he enjoyed the view he could hear every rustle of what would be his next meal. As if summoned, he heard the rustle of something rooting around in a pile of hay. He loved this part,the thrill of the hunt combined with the ease of breakfast coming to him. Not that he minded venturing to the nearby forest, he loved the excitement and sport that could always be found there.

He pinpointed the location of the sound; his keen eyesight making out the long gangly form of a rat. He unfurled his wings, relishing the stretch of his muscles as he glided from the rafters toward his prey. Hawkeye was careful as to not make a sound, he prided himself on his hunting prowess. In all his years he had never missed a catch and he had enough skill and compassion to make it quick. He detested how many of his predator brethren seemed to relish the pain and fear they inflicted on their prey. He gave his wings one powerful beat, careful not to slap them against his body so he didn't break the silence. He stretched out his talons and ended it before the rat knew what happened; it hadn't even squeaked. He made sure not to waste a single morsel, ego and pride he had in abundance but he would never disrespect a fellow animal especially one that nourished him.

His belly full he flew back to his perch to enjoy the night time beauty. He loved how the night held an amazing contradiction for him. Its serenity filled him with a sense of urgency and restlessness. The night promised adventure and he never ignored the call. Taking off through the window he beat his wings harder and faster, feeling the wind brush across his feathers as he rose higher. He knew it wasn't very dignified for a raptor of his ilk to be flying with such abandon, but night flying was one of life's few pleasures; to cut through the night’s stillness as if you were the only moving creature on the planet; completely invincible and free. However the best part about flying was it allowed him to be close to the only love in his life; the moon.

He knew the moon wasn't a real person, but it's lunar beauty and light filled him with so much hope and peace it was the closest he had ever come to finding a worthy mate. That love was what drove him to be the best. He prided himself on flying higher and faster than any owl he’d ever met, he would even suspect he flew higher than any of his daytime bird of prey brethren. Everyday he pushed himself to fly higher and when he reached the new height; feeling as if he was closer to brushing his wing over the moon; he tucked in his wings, surrendering to gravity and allowed himself to fall. He loved the fear and anticipation free falling gave him and just as he pushed himself to fly higher every night he pushed himself to fall further to earth before allowing the wind to glide him up again. As he reoriented himself he beat his wings pushing his body as he weaved through the trees.

When the sky began to lighten he returned to the old barn and settled into a dark corner, he could still see out the window but the moon had already begun to fade to a mere shadow in the graying sky. Hawkeye smiled to himself, thinking to himself “see you tonight”

Hawkeye awoke with a start to a ruckus outside. Groggy from being woken before night he flapped his wings and looked toward the open barn door with dread. Shielding his burning eyes from the blinding sun, the sight that greeted him set his beak on edge. In the distance he could see a massive truck which he surmised was the cause of the ear splitting beeping and the yelling from the twolegs that were taking things out of the back and loading it in the old farm house.

“No, no no no.” Hawkeye shook his head, forgetting the near debilitating brightness of the sun he took off for the tree near the house to get a better look. “Best case scenario they are here to tear down the farm, worst case they are here to stay.” He thought to himself, trying desperately to tamp down the fear he felt in his gizzard. Landing on a branch far enough away not to be reached but still provided him with a decent view of the invasion before him.

Below he observed a family of four unloading their belongings from the vehicle, their voices grating on his irritated nerves. From his perch he observed an older male, followed by a smaller younger male with hair worn in a spiked fashion that reminded him of the roosters that used to be here. The older male seemed to ignore the young ones gripping but the set of his jaw brought satisfaction to Hawkeye “Good, now you know how I feel.” Hawkeye continued to observe, a while longer before sleep was weighing on his eyes. As he prepared to retire to the barn he heard a firm but raspy voice from the front of the truck. “George? George, I am ready to get out now. I want to see the house.”

His interest renewed, Hawkeye tucked in his wings waiting to see who had spoken. Before the older male; now known as George answered, Hawkeye heard a lyrical voice shout “ Coming mum!” Out bounded a female from inside the house with a wheelchair struggling from the porch steps. George opened the passenger door from the truck and carefully lifted out a frail woman and set her in the chair provided by the younger female. The younger woman pushed her to the stairs, both her and George working together to get the wheelchair carefully up. Hawkeye heard George grumble under his breath about having to build a ramp as the younger woman wheeled the older woman into the house. Hawkeye surmised that George was her father and the woman in the wheelchair was her mother, making the younger male her brother. Hawkeye became interested in observing the two women, he began gliding up the branches looking for another branch that provided him with a decent view. Satisfied with a branch that looked into what seemed to be a study, Hawkeye saw that while the men were unloading the truck the younger woman must have been setting up this room presumably for her mother. With the window closed he was not able to hear the conversation that transpired between them but based on the warm smiles passed between them he could tell they were words of love and respect. The younger woman came to the window and after a brief struggle wrestled it open.

“Here you go mum, this should give you a nice breeze plus you can get a good view of everything.”

Noticing him sitting on the branch outside the window she seemed to study him as intently as he did her. At this range he was able to see her better, her black hair pulled back in a ponytail away from skin as white as ivory. She broke into a smile turning back to her mother. “Mum look, there’s an owl out here.” Her mother wheeled next to her and stared at him as well. Hawkeye mustered a sneer and screeched at them unfurling his wings. He was not a sideshow attraction and he was going to make it clear this land, house, the barn, and even this tree were his.

“Uh oh mum get back I don't want him to attack.” She began to close the window when her mother waved her off.

“Nonsense, I’m sure he is just irritated that we woke him. Leave him alone and I’m sure he’ll settle plus you are right, the breeze and the view are spectacular” The younger woman cast him a wary look but did as her mother asked, turning to peck her on the cheek before she left. He noticed the woman continued to watch him but did not say a word, just sat back as if they were keeping each other company. He rolled his eyes wishing it wasn't against the rules to talk to humans so he could tell them to leave. Instead he turned his back on the older woman bristling at her chuckle. He continued to watch the others down below, the younger woman now helping her father and brother unload the truck.

“Did you get your mother settled?” George asked his daughter in a gruff voice

“Yes dad” she breathed, struggling with a box half her size.

“Is she out of the way? We still have a lot of things to unload and we haven't even begun to unpack, the last thing I want is us tripping over her while we get things cleaned up.” Hawkeye saw the tick in her jaw. They may have been the same height but compared to him she was significantly smaller in stature. Hawkeye admired her courage but still found her foolish. As unwelcome as these invaders were, they were at least amusing.

“Dad I know this is hard for you; it's hard for all of us, but you can’t refer to mom like she's a piece of furniture you just stubbed your toe on. She’s your wife and she needs you. Sure we’re a little farther from the city, but this move will be good for all of us.”

The only response to her stirring speech was a “humph”. Things did not seem to be peaches and flowers in this family, maybe they'll go back to where they came from soon enough. Unfurling his wings he headed back to the barn, settling in for the day he closed his eyes mulling over all he had seen and heard. It seemed everyone was just as unhappy as he was. “Good, hopefully this inconvenience will pass soon.” With that shred of hope he closed his eyes and drifted off to a quiet slumber.

It had been six weeks since the twoleg family had infiltrated and disturbed his home and it did not seem like they would be leaving any time soon, despite everyone’s misery. They could at least keep their dysfunction to themselves, unfortunately that was not the case. The first couple of weeks were tolerable but were soon replaced with his slumber being interrupted by an irritating hoodlum, who had heard there was an owl in the barn and had vowed to capture him for his own amusement. George; when not engaging in a screaming match between himself and his daughter that could be heard from the barn, would seek refuge to lick his wounds with a bottle of whiskey in Hawkeye’s barn. Luckily these unwelcome visits were short once George arranged a little R&R with a lady friend in which he would leave post haste and not return for a day or two which would lead to another screaming match between him and his daughter whom Hawkeye had learned was named Laura. Luckily Laura’s part was limited to supplying half of the screaming war. She never seeked refuge in his barn but he did hear her trek by during the day and sometimes night toward the stream in tears after her father had left either for his dalliance or had drunk himself to sleep. The mother, Janice, was the least invasive but was the subject of much of the dysfunction through no fault of her own beyond the scope of her infirmity. Occasionally he would visit the tree where he had first espied the family and oftentimes she was there in her study; watching out the window hiding her tears and pretending not to hear the shouting between her daughter and husband or his grumbling whenever she had need of him due to her limitations. Whenever he did see Laura with Janice he noticed she was careful to never convey her grief to her mother and neither did her mother let on that she knew. Seemed this family was as secretive as it was dysfunctional. Hawkeye didn't visit very often, only when his curiosity over the drama he was forced to endure flared up.

At least the night was still his he sighed as he took his perch by the window reaching out with his senses for his breakfast. He didn't wait long till he heard the crunching of straw, it was too light to be the footfalls of the twolegs but it was definitely larger than a rat. Turning his head careful not to disturb the silence, sure enough he saw a small cat playing around in the straw. It was unfortunate but that was the way of nature, the young cat strayed too far and the mother was nowhere in sight and now it was to be his repast for the early evening. As he glided down with extended talons an anguished scream threw off his aim as he landed on top of the kitten. His talons held the squirming feline fast as he turned his head towards the sound. At the open barn door stood Laura in a black sweater and jeans, her black hair hanging in waves around her shoulders framing her pale face, her eyes wide and bloodshot with dried tear tracks down her cheeks. For some reason the spectacle tugged at Hawkeye’s heart strings, neither of them moved and except for the frightened mews of the kitten there was a stillness that both seemed too stunned to want to break. After what seemed like an eternity Laura was the first to break the spell.

“Let him go.” The words were spoken like a command, but the soft “please” that came after sounded so broken. Her body poised to pounce despite the futility of the act and at odds with the fear in her eyes. The feelings were alien to him, he hated twolegs granted he hated everyone but twolegs even more but the fear and pain on her face affected him. In light of the moon she seemed almost ethereal. Her hair as dark as the night sky and the pinpoints of light reflected from the moon added to the effect as if her brow was ringed with a halo of stars. Her face shone with the same light as that of the moon's surface.

Hawkeye couldn't fathom why, but he loosened his grip on the kitten and watched as she scooped it up in her arms. He expected her to turn and leave but instead she smiled at him with a sigh of relief “Thank you” she breathed so softly even he barely heard it.

“You're welcome.” Hawkeye blurted, if it hadn't been for the look on her face he would almost believe it hadn't happened. Before she could recover Hawkeye took off, he didn't head back to his perch, he just flew as high as he could higher than he ever had before when he felt the lack of air burning his lungs and frost forming on his wings he allowed himself to free fall but his mind wandered too much if it wasn't for a stray sound he more than likely would have smacked into the ground. He pulled himself up and began weaving through the trees but instead of the normal freedom and tranquility he was distracted by his thoughts. Instead of the symbol of grace he saw himself he kept smacking into the branches, the pain doing nothing to reorient his thoughts.

“Why did I do that? We don't talk to humans; it's against the laws of nature. I couldn’t help it, it just blurted out. Maybe she didn't hear me, maybe she’ll tack it up to her imagination. Yeah fat chance.” As he continued his one bird dialogue he began to feel a little calmer but still a vast distance away from the tranquility he found in the world of night. As dawn waxed close he caught a few mice and one early squirrel to make up for his missed breakfast. As he returned he resolved to avoid the two legs at all cost, especially Laura. Satisfied that this would all blow over Hawkeye lowered his head into his wing and drifted into peaceful repose.

Winter had come but Hawkeye didn't mind the cold. If anything the snow made it easier for his white feathers to blend in and the nights came earlier and the daytime later. The family was still the same Greek tragedy they were when they first came, but he managed to avoid them and despite Laura’s visits to get him to speak he refrained from breaking his silence. However if he was being honest he had come to enjoy and maybe even anticipate her visits, though the past month her visits began to diminish to the point they were practically nonexistent. He tried to convince himself that he was relieved but instead there was a nagging voice in his gizzard that outed his disappointment. It was a month ago when Laura had come to visit, but this time she brought with her another male. John was his name and Hawkeye didn't like him. He remembered how she came in dragging John behind her by the hand trying to be quiet so as to not disturb him, oblivious to the fact her entering the barn already alerted him to her presence; her whispers rousing him from his slumber. At least she was trying to be considerate, her guest however did not feel a mere barn owl warranted such consideration. Despite his white smile, blond hair, and fair skin he seemed as sleazy as a snake and as slimy as algae. It pained him how Laura was taken in by his looks, oblivious to the disinterest in his eyes as she showed him her sketches and paintings. How his kisses were used to silence her rather than appreciate her intellect and wit. “You have to see him, I swear I heard him talk once. I’ve been spending months trying to get him to do it again but he is a stubborn butt.” At that he hissed and squawked, chuckling to himself at the sight of her poking her tongue at him.

The condescending tone of John’s voice as he responded irked him “Babe, it’s just a barn owl they're everywhere and to be honest I think they're creepy little rats with wings. They don’t talk, it had to be in your head.”

“It wasn’t in my head. I heard him, I thanked him for releasing Kingston and he’s not creepy. And believe me there is nothing ‘little’ about him. He’s huge.”

John pulled her into his arms, pawing at her as he laughed “ I can think of something else that’s huge that might interest you more.” Hawkeye turned his head from the disgusting display; feeling like he had a pellet lodged in his throat. As much as he wanted to claw the guy's lecherous eyes out, he couldn't help but feel like Laura had betrayed him. He tried to shake the feeling loose, it was ridiculous. They existed on two different planes and he had no claim on her, he should be happy she had a mate to occupy her time. After that she didn't visit as much but when she did she continued to bestow her attention on him despite the aggravation it caused her mate. That's just the type of woman she was. She was smart and beautiful; despite trying to feign disinterest he loved hearing her voice as she talked about her day, the pressures and challenges of college life, the challenges she faced at home, her mothers ailment, her father’s attitude toward his family and his poorly concealed affair. Trying to shield her brother and mother from it as if she was the keeper of their happiness. His interest in her still baffled him and as much as he wished he could he couldn't seem to untangle his heart from hers and for the first time in his life he wished fate had been different.

Shaking himself from his depressing reverie he prepared to go through his nightly paces when he heard a crash as the barn door flew open with an obviously pickled John supported by Laura. He tucked in his wings and observed the spectacle below. He knew Laura hated alcohol and judging by the distaste she had for her father, anyone who overly indulged in the nasty stuff.

“Come on John, lie down here. There you go, try to sober up.” she sighed, holding onto her patience.

“Come on babe, unclench a little. Have a drink, maybe it'll thaw you out some.” John produced a bottle and attempted to make her drink.

“John stop, I don't like it, you know I don’t drink. I said stop it.” She screeched. Shrugging, John put the rim to his own lips and took several long pulls from the bottle. Once he was done he pulled Laura’s stiff body to him and kissed her; gently at first but started to become more aggressive, ignoring how she tried to pull away from him and his groping.

“John stop, I told you I didn't want to do this yet and especially when you’ve been drinking.” she tried to coax him down but Hawkeye could still hear the fear in her voice. John began to become more aggressive; drunken lust giving way to insolent entitled possessiveness.

“Come on Lori it's been two months, I’ve been patient. I’ve never had to work this hard for a chick in my life. I've put in my time now, cough it up.” John pinned her underneath him, his bigger body suppressing her futile struggles to free herself. Hawkeye didn't remember how he got down from the rafters or the chilling hiss and screech that left his throat. All he remembered was landing on the brutes' back; his talons digging into the back of his neck, wings flapping to avoid his flailing arms and provide him with access to his face as he bit and scratched her attacker. Hawkeye’s attack provided Laura with the distraction she needed to get from under him. He paused his attack to see her hide behind a bale of hay, however his lapse in focus resulted in him being slammed against a beam and crumpling to the floor. Unaware of his lucky blow John raced from the barn and Hawkeye could hear the sound of an engine turning over and wheels speeding on gravel.

The threat over, Hawkeye let out a screech at the blinding pain throbbing in his wing. He felt soft, warm hands circling around him. Despite the tenderness Laura exhibited the slightest jostle sent renewed pain shooting up his wing along with white hot rage. “Get off me” he growled out. “Get away from me, you’ve done enough.”

Laura ignored him, if his words hurt or shocked her at all she didn't show it. “Thank you.” she breathed out her voice strong with no trace of fear. He buried his head into the crook of her arm and allowed her to carry him. From the sounds, he inferred she had taken him into the house. As she set him on a desk he realized she had taken him to the study. She sat a first aid kit next to him and gingerly extended his wing against his body, splinting and wrapping it in place. He must have been loud because there was a knock on the door a split second before her mother rolled into the study. She looked back and forth between her daughter and the owl. Hiding a smile behind her hand “So this is the second man in your life huh? Did you two get into a tiff?”

“No but you won’t be seeing John around anymore.” She sniffed disdain dripping from her voice. Her mother didn't push for details, instead just watched as Laura wrapped Hawkeye’s wing. To Hawkeye it looked like she was gathering up her courage for something.

“Laura, ever since you were a little girl you have always had this amazing sense of responsibility and I couldn’t be prouder of you if I tried… I think you need to go and live your own life. Get out of this pit of despair and have your own adventure.”

“Do you want me to go?”

“Oh honey. No mother wants to see her children go, but you are throwing your life away.”

“Mum I can’t just leave, you need me. I’m fine.”

“Laura, let me ask you something. Who asked you to?

“What?”

“You heard me. Who asked you to take care of us? Who asked you to fix everything? Who asked you to drain your soul in this pit? No one and even if they did that is not your burden to bear, if you don't go now you will wake up one day old before your time and nothing but despair to look back on.” Laura couldn't respond and he could see where she had gotten her spirit from. Hawkeye had a whole new respect for her mother. Without another word Janice wheeled out of the study, closing the door behind her.

“Oh what you got nothing to say now? I knew you could talk. Why have you played dumb all this time?”

“It's against the laws of nature to talk to humans, that's the price we pay for a second chance.”

“A second chance at what?”

“To get it right, someone wants us to succeed. So sometimes when our own bad decisions lead to an untimely death. Fate will give us another shot as beasts.”

“So you're telling me all animals were once human?”

“ I can’t speak for all animals but the ones I have met were.”

“What were you like?”

“To be honest with you, I don't remember, it has been so long ago all I know was I was not a good person. To be honest I still am missing the mark especially in the pride and humility department.

“ I don’t know, you seem to be pretty awesomesauce to me.”

“ I'm not gonna lie, this is the first time I've regretted being an owl.”

“Why's that?”

“Because you're my moon.”

“What does that mean?”

“I’ll tell you some other time. I know it's late but this is my morning, if you're up for it I'd like to go down to the stream with you.” Laura didn't say anything but picked him up and cradled him securely in her arms as they left the house traipsing through the snow. As they got to the stream they sat on the bank and stared at the moon together. Hawkeye didn't know how much time they spent in silence but it was serene. As he stared at the moon he didn't feel the same trance he normally felt when he stared at it, it was still beautiful but it didn't compare to the way he saw and felt about Laura, her challenges were his. He’d give anything to be that for her, but he’d have to appreciate the capacity he could be there even if it was just as a confidant.

As they slept in her room, her in her bed and he in her drawers he felt a strange feeling in the room, the shadows seemed to bleed and a figure stepped into view. His hair as black as a raven's wing, his eyes hidden behind a pair of shades and dressed in the same impeccable black suit and red silk shirt he remembered from last time.

“Hello Andrew, long time no see.”

“It's Hawkeye now. "he grumbled, unable to meet the man's eye.

“Oh of course, I beg your pardon. Well Hawkeye I hear you have been a very bad boy. Talking to a human? Some things don't change, not obeying the rules again. She must be a very special girl”

“Yes sir she is, and I am prepared to accept the penalty for my transgression.”

“Really? That is interesting. Well no good deed goes unpunished, actions have consequences and all that. You should have told her you love her” Before Hawkeye could say another word the man in the suit smiled a soul chilling smile and clicked his fingers and then …pain.

When Laura opened her eyes she saw a man sitting in a chair in a corner of the room he held up his hand to show he posed no threat, the other wrapped up in a splint. “Laura it's me Hawkeye. I didn't mean to startle you.”

“Hawkeye, but how? You must be freezing, why didn't you wake me? ”

"I figured with the day you had you needed your sleep and I didn't know how to broach this subject. As for how, I am not entirely sure as to why this happened but I do know I am not going to waste this chance. I love you.”

“So what happens now? I think you should take your mom's advice, and if you let me I would love to go with you in whatever capacity you let me.”

All Laura did was smile but that smile let him know that no matter what happened they'd be okay, after all he prided himself on being the best and all his moon seemed to want was for them to be the best them they could be no matter what form.