Feathers of midnight

This is my fifth day in these imense woods; and my third day since I've last seen the creature. I should go home, I want to go home. Who cares about the creature really is and where she came from? Shes's not really my problem. But I do care, I have to. Perhaps she's just the proof I need to prove the illgeal government expiriements and that no, I wasn't actually crazy. The possibility of being crazy bothers me more than I’d like to admit, I’m tired of people not believing me. But I couldn’t get what I had seen out of my head. According to what my father had taught me about owls, I had seen a barn owl. Although not a normal one, with icy blue eyes and black wings that would rival the darkest night. I could leave that up to some rare genetic mutation however, I could have sworn I heard her whisper “follow me” as she took off the night I first saw her. I know how crazy it sounds, like I said before maybe I am but it’s worth checking out. One more day out here, and I’ll go home.

Around dusk I saw some clouds gathering and figured I had better find cave or hollowed out tree to shelter in. I had started my search when something in the trees caught my eye. There she was, on a low branch and there was no denying what I saw now. Her eyes piercing me as she stared down from her perch.

”Follow me” she whispered again as took off deeper into the woods. I followed unsteadily behind her as the roots of the trees grew larger and more exposed, and as night settled around us. She flew faster and faster until I was following her blindly, losing as sense of direction, and begininning to fall more so than run. After a particularly hard fall that drew blood from both knees, she finally slowed down laughing at my clumsiness along the way. We finally came to a halt at the mouth of a dark cave, surrounded by a circle of trees. I waited and listened to see if anything else was occupying the cave, but aside from my panting and the rustling of the bird’s feathers, there was nothing else to be heard. I took a few steps inside and slid down the wall to sit down. The sweep of air over my head told me the owl had found a place to perch as well.

All of a sudden, a loud cracking broke the silence. It sounded like someone had cracked every bone in their body all at once. My eyes adjusting to the dimness of the cave, I looked over to where there was once an owl, but now, sprawled on the floor in its place was a girl. Well that definitely changes things.

”Damn it! That’s never hurt before! What did that asshole do to me?” the girl spoke.

”Um... I’m sorry what? Weren’t you just an owl? How is this possible? What asshole?“ the questions come pouring out of me, even as new ones form. I was so confused, I thought the government was just doing illegal experiments. I noticed she was practically naked so I took of my jacket and headed it to her as she sat herself up on the wall of the cave.

”Okay first thing’s first, I’m Leah.“ she responded as she pulled on the jacket. ”Technically no I was never really an owl just shape shifted into one. The asshole I was referring to is the despicable head scientist Doctor Kennith March, he works at the lab in town. He did this to me. Thanks for the jacke by the way, it’s cold without feathers.“

“No problem about the jacket. But this is a lot to take in! This isn’t the kind of experimenting I thought was happening. Someone who can turn into an animal is the stuff of sci-fi novels! I was completely wrong!” I exclaimed.

”While we can discuss what theories you once had, maybe you could tell me your name. And why you were following me?” she countered.

”I’m sorry, I’m Adalaide. Everyone calls me Addie, though. I was following you because the first night I saw you, you told me to follow you. I decided to take a chance and follow. I’m trying to find my sister, she went missing two months ago. She knew the lab was doing illegal things and I think they had something to do with her disappearance. I was hoping you would be able to tell me something but now I’m not so sure you can. What exactly did that doctor do to you?” I told her truthfully. I didn’t see any reason to lie, especially when the lab had wronged her, too.

“I didn’t call to you. I mean I’ve been in owl form for a month now and only escaped six days ago. I can’t talk when I’m shifted, not human speech anyway. That’s a bit concerning that you something though. And I’m sure exactly what he did to me. I used to be able to shift at will and with no pain, but it’s definitely painful now. He also somehow made it so I only shift during a new moon. It’s annoying and I’m hoping to find someone who can reverse the effects.”

Okay great, I might actually be going crazy. I’m also no closer to finding my sister either. “Who the hell was I hearing then? Alright so setting the fact that I’m probably hearing things now, now what? I have no idea how to find my sister and all of this just adds more questions to a never ending list!”

“Well I’m heading North. To the Rocky Mountains. There was a scientist, Doctor Kathy Gill, who was fired from the lab two years ago for challenging the ethical pract there. No one knows where exactly she went other than the Rocky Mountains area. You can come with me if you like. We might find out something about your sister.” Leah offered.

I had to think about this for a minute Do I go with this new stranger? Is it possible I might find out more about my sister and what’s happening with lab if I go with this girl? Or do I turn around, go home, give up and live my already planned out life?

”Okay. Let’s go! When do we head out?” I replied, determined to find out anything that would bring me closer to find if my sister.