Gravel crunched under my shoes when I walked along the road, choosing to follow it to the left and away from the city Oliver had flown back to.
We decided it was best if I didn't tempt fate and try to catch transport. Sure, it may have got me to my destination quicker, but after the mobbing at the shopping center and their blatant disregard for my broken arm, I couldn't risk that again.
The night was cold but oddly refreshing. I walked blindly, guided only by my phone light and the moon above.
Tar rolled and crumbled along the edges of the road. Stones flicked when I walked over them. The air was still, occasionally cut through by the call of an odd bird or two.
I had to keep walking. Adrian would easily catch me in his car when he woke. I had to be well within untraveled lands by then.
My heart tugged to the right. Stopping on the road, I scanned the darkness, seeing nothing but a wall of white from my phone.
If it was taking me that way, I guess it was safe.
Using a foot to carefully pat along the edge of the road so I could step down safely, I started into the unknown.
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Long grass swayed around my hips when I broke my own path through it. Trudging against the wall of green, there was nothing to show exactly how far I was getting. I just felt like I was cutting through the same path forever.
Maybe I was? Maybe I got turned around and was walking back towards Adrian's?
Pausing again, the tugging was still strong. I just had to trust it and keep going forth.
Relief washed over my cold skin when the night sky was suddenly streaked through with black veins. Smiling up at them, I recognized the shape of naked branches on the trees now swallowing me within them.
It felt safer here. Even if the sky was gone, and all I had was a little patch of light trailing the ground to prevent me from tripping over the roots, I felt more protected here.
Bruce wouldn't find me now. Adrian couldn't catch me now. I was on the right path, although unsure of what exactly it would hold for me.
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The leaves glued to the dirt in a blanket of litter became wrapped around my shoes and legs. Sticks snapped and I carefully climbed over fallen branches.
Soon, the leaves were engulfed by the dirt that sucked at my shoes, refusing to let go. I pulled myself forward, one slopping step at a time as mud flicked down my legs and up the backs of my swaying arms.
Trudging ahead, the mud suddenly gave out beneath my foot. I sank, flailing to try and remain upright.
Stopping, I used my free hand to cautiously press to the cold surface now sucking up towards my knees.
It ran between my fingers. Tiny fragments squashed between my claws, smearing. The stink of it was as if this substance had been slowly rotting away underneath old wood. The reek of the fragments I wiped off on my shirt was a sharp scent that reminded me of vinegar.
This was rancid water. The squashed things I turned my light to were the crushed and smeared body parts of bugs.
I couldn't keep going through swamplands with no guidance. Even if my heart told me I should, I had to find another way around.
I was already knee-deep. I was going to lose my shoes if I tried to pull myself free. I still needed those until my feet outgrew the need for such things.
There was no way I could guide myself with my phone and try to dig myself free. I'd have to do this blind.
Pulling across my bag, I turned off the light and slipped my phone inside, blinding closing it again.
Instantly, everything was just a void around me. It was as if I had been devoured by the night itself.
My heart quickened. Each breath panted out of my mouth now, forcing me to taste the disgusting swamp air.
I was stuck. I could be dragged under the mud or have my insides ripped out from behind.
Was there something behind me now?
Trying to turn, I lost balance and fell backwards into the coldness. The sludge enveloped my legs and crotch, tugging me down.
No! I couldn't go under! Not like this!
Slashing through the mud, it flung out and slapped the unmoving bed. Every path I carved bubbles back in place, as if I hadn't cut the surface at all.
Mud flicked a long my face and splattered my mouth. The dripping, rotting, wetness had me gagging.
Had something died in here?
What could I do? How would I get out of here?! I couldn't be next!
Ok, wait; relax. It'll be fine. You can still hear and taste. You aren't dead yet. You aren't going to stay in this swamp forever.
I had to free my feet. I couldn't become prey to something that might try to take advantage of this situation.
Did crocodiles live in swamps? Or was that just larger bodies of water?
No, I was fine. Everything was quiet. That was good. That was good, right?
Tightening my bag around my pits, I rocked so I could gain enough momentum to throw myself to the side, smothering my whole belly. Now that I had my hands and knees below the surface, I could get myself back upright.
Ripping one arm from the sucking mud, I flicked it to try and throw some of the weight off. Lifting one foot a few inches under the thick mud, I planted it down just ahead so I could use my thigh to push my arm down on for support.
The mud grabbed and tore at me. It desperately snatched onto me to throw me back down.
Gasping in some mouthfuls of air, I grunted under the pressure as I tried again, screaming out.
My leg moved. I laughed at the motion, heaving up with everything I had left. Even my stumps moved, as if I still had wings to give me momentum for this situation.
The mud chewed at my calves. My other foot slipped forward, allowing me to wobble in place, standing.
"Woo!" I cheered, pumping a muddy fist that almost made me lose balance again.
I was up again!
Now, I could dig myself free.
My shoes were gluing me in place. I had to dig them out so I could be free.
Sliding my palms down my muddy legs and into the pot of cold nothingness, I pointed my claws together to cut through the thick sludge.
Grunting in disgust as the mud kissed my cheek, I found a softness my hands squashed.
It was my show, right? I wasn't squeezing the snout of a croc?
Stabbing my claws in, I felt the pain shoot back up my frozen legs.
Yep, a foot.
Inching my hand up along the shoe, I found the tongue and used it to widen the top so I could pull at the laces and kick my foot free.
Digging my hand around the stuck shoe and throttling it, I threw all my force behind trying to tear it free.
The bed of the swamp squelched. I tugged again, feeling my arm painfully resist.
Twisting my hand, the shoe slipped through. Pausing, I smiled at my revelation. I just had to shake it loose.
With the shoe dipped downwards, I squeezed the middle and twisted. It slipped and rose, cutting through the surface noisily.
I could do this now! I had been going about it the wrong way! I just had to do it carefully, not forcefully.
I had nowhere to put the free shoe. Both hands would make better work of the last one too. Realising I had no options, I peeled back my lips and latched the edges of my sharp teeth into the muddy top.
I could smell the bugs that dwelled in the mud. The mud itself was stagnant and rotting from the decaying plants, and possibly unfortunate animals that weren't as lucky as I was.
The smell threaded through my nostrils and slid across my tongue. I pulled my tongue back, desperate not to taste the mud dripping with saliva as I let it drool from my mouth; too afraid to swallow in case the sludge would make it's way to my clenching stomach.
Gagging at the wetness smothering my lips, I plunged both hands under the coldness to grip and twist the next shoe.
Determined now that I had a solution, the second one was twisted free and up in the cold air in no time.
Feeling my way across the top, I felt the caked laces run between my dripping fingers. Untying the first shoe, I grabbed the second to feel my way to freeing it's laces as well.
With both free, I tied them together to form a doubled knot. Slapping the new connection around the back of my neck, I felt the mud quickly splatter down my chest.
At least it wasn't in my mouth anymore.
Spitting out the lingering filth on my lips, I began to work on my legs; the right first.
Twisting it up and feeding it through the mud in the same fashion as the shoes, I felt the night air freeze against my coated leg only for a moment. Leaning forth, I pushed it back under the mud again.
The other was teased upwards to give me another step towards the safety of land. The thick mud smacked and gurgled with each forceful step thrown back into its depths.
Thwock.... Sphtth......Thweeeck......bllfph.....
Is that what it sounded like? It made me laugh at how comical and nonsensical it all was.
Step by step, I pulled myself further from the mud. My feathers were still glued to my skin, but I could feel the progress as it receaded from my legs to somewhere near my ankles.
With the last few carefully placed steps, I felt grass rub against my caked toes.
Digging into it gratefully, I patted the hard surface as I followed it onwards.
I did it! I actually made it out!
Now my new objective was to find water to scrub the horrid stench out of my skin.
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The coated shoes hung heavily like stocks around my neck when I pushed through the dry grass once more beside the safety of the roadside again.
This was my punishment for not being more cautious with my surroundings. Out here, it was unpredictable. I had grown too trusting and reliant on it being easy, like Paragon. It was only ever the same things day in and out there.
Still, it was thrilling. Even though I smelled like the city smog churning with stale piss, vomit and roadkill, I had overcome my first hurdle out here.
Daytime was the safest frame for travel. Night was going to have to be for resting. Walking blindly like this was far too dangerous, even with a muddy hand smeared around my phone.
I wonder how well this amount of mud would scrub from a cast? The doctor had been quite upset just getting it wet. He'd be furious if he could feel it squelching within the confines of the plaster.
Giggling, I kept going. It was far too open to rest here. Now that I knew the trees weren't safe either, I had no choice but to hobble in the grass.
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I kept waking until my legs could shuffle no more. When they froze in place from exhaustion, I crumpled to the grass still surrounding me to curl up.
I could still smell the swamp on me, so I couldn't tell if it was still nearby or long behind me.
The distance I had covered, Adrian could easily speed through to find me. I couldn't move further.
My feet pulsed with needles along my souls. Pounding as I drew them up, I tried to trap in whatever warmth I had boiled through my body through the relentless travels.
There was no cover here, but I could do nothing more. The long grass swayed gently when I peered up at the night sky starting to fade out.
The stars still glimmered behind a veil of dusty grey. The air was biting at everything that wasn't my warm heart and belly.
Exhaustion panted through me. It made the hard ground comfortable and the grass like a protective curtain.
It should be ok to sleep for just a little bit. I had walked blindly forever. Nothing was near me.
Just a little bit.....
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The brightness of the sun wasn't what dragged me from my deep sleep. My phone, muffled in my bag, was ringing with the familiar tune of my first act.
Slapping my hand for it, my claws snatched on the fabric to drag it towards me.
I groaned, struggling to pull my eyes open as I laid on the ground.
The phone cut out when I flipped open the top. With panic now in my heart, I blinked frantically so I could see through the blurred shapes.
My head was swimming with sleep as I pushed aside my belongings to find the hard smoothness of my phone. Slowly sitting up in my crushed bed of grass, I yawned and focused on the home screen as it slowly sharpened.
The whole background was covered in a wall of text. Over and over, Adrian had been trying to ring me. Messages were thrown in, pleading for an answer. They only stopped for a few hours before they started up again; the last one just now being at twelve twenty five.
Squinting upwards, the sky was beaming with colour. Clouds sailed by, clumped and a fluffy white.
I had slept longer than I wanted. More ground had to be covered.
My bones aches when I gasped out, grunting and hauling myself to my tender feet to gather my things.
My battery was down to thirty two. I should save it for when I really needed it.
Adrian deserves to know I was ok. I could send him a quick message. I didn't want to hear his heartbreak over the phone when he cried for me to come back.
Maybe he'd even accuse me of abandoning him? Essentially, I had. This was the only way I was going to go home without dragging him into more danger.
Slapping my backpack on and looping my shoes through it, I began to cut another path.
Adrian really had been trying to reach me. Buried amongst the messages was a call from Alowyn, a dropped location from Nisha, and even a message from Oliver asking if I was dead yet.
That idiot. Pidge would have made him do that.
The message from Nisha was a call for help. Pressing on it, I saw he was still within the city. Seeing the way my map flew across to the location, I smiled at how far I had travelled from the horrid place.
I wasn't going back there, not even for Nisha.
Flicking through, I pressed Adrian's last message to pull up the frantic wall.
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Where are you?
Hey, where did you go? You aren't here.
I'm getting a little worried now. Pick up your phone.
I've got to go into town. Let me know where you are.
Avery, answer you phone. Please.
Are you gone?
Tell me where you went. I'm not mad at you.
Did I do something? Please let me know you are ok.
I'm really worried now. Can you let me know where you are?
Are you ok?
Morning. Please pick up your phone. I've been looking for you.
Hey, did you go home? Please message me so I know you aren't hurt.
I need to know where you are. You're really worrying me.
Avery.
Please answer me.
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Another was being typed as my eyes were blinded. Wiping the tears on my muddy hand, I saw it pop up.
I'm searching for you. Please pick up your phone.
No. He couldn't come after me.
Picking up the pace, I blinked through the stinging tears, trying to type.
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I'm sorry I missed your calls and messages. I have low battery. I'm safe and on my way home. Please don't worry about me. I don't want you to follow me.
That sounded ok, right? It answered all of his questions?
Sending it, I pulled across my bag to drop my phone inside.
I needed to conserve my battery. If I hadn't found another place to sleep tonight, I'd be walking by phone light again.
I wouldn't have battery after another night of draining it like that. I had the cords with me, but nowhere to charge.
Maybe it was for the best. Adrian had got his message and Alowyn didn't need a response from me right away. Nisha's was from last night. He would have found someone else to help him already.
I had to focus on myself now. I needed some sort of bath to get rid of this stench of death swallowing me up. I couldn't smell the fresh air swirling last me, only swamp mud.
Peering across, the road was curving away from my side. Turning to the right, the border of trees was thinning out. Up in the sky, I saw small birds powering in formation to my left where the ground pulled up into a hill for the road.
I could try the trees again? Get away from this road?
Turning for them, I kept up my momentum. As soon as I felt the air shift to a cooler temperature, I hesitated, trying to slide my feet first along the dirt.
I kept going, this time with the sun to guide me. It glitter through the trees to give me a glimpse of the long grass still surrounding the land.
The dirt was tangled with roots, as it had been the first time. I kept going, tapping my way over unsure areas to be certain I wasn't going to fall through it again.
Bugs hummed here. Steaks of sunlight glowed from the branches splayed above. Ahead, I heard the leaves rustling loudly, even with no wind to push the canopy.
What was the noise then?
Pausing beside a tree, I tilted my head to listen.
It sounded like blowing leaves, but somewhat different. The air remained cool; moist and fresh when I breathed it in.
The canopy above darkened with something gliding overhead. Still remaining frozen as I watched it pass, the distorted shape was far too large to be any regular bird.
The beating of wings was unmistakable. My heart gripped at the sound, forcing me to continue onwards away from it.
I wasn't strong enough to face giant wild creatures out here. Even back at the road, I had mostly been borrowing Tawn's personality to keep everyone at bay. Some of it was myself, and that scared me.
I had to survive. I'd do anything to make it home; even kill someone like I had threatened.
Soon it would all be over. I'd be greeted by my mother and father, safe within their wings once more. I'd never be tempted by what laid beyond the tree again. The vast lands around home were enough for me now. I'd find a mate and grow old somewhere comfortably familiar.
If only that has been Adrian....
Stumbling over the last of the tree roots, I came to a stop at the other side of the forest. The trees peppered the land here, growing sparse around the rustling sound of a glittering river divided by large boulders hitting from within the deep waters.
Fresh water!
I couldn't go rushing out towards it. I had to check the area first. I had to learn from my first mistake.
Leaning around the tree I clung to, I looked around to the left.
The hill of the road climbed into the side of a mountain that was nestled amongst the trees. The forest ran down to the base, breaking off into long grass and rocks like it had here. Up at a widened area where a boulder jutted from the middle, a small group of crows hopped along the grassy edge to scoop their beaks into the water, others picking at the smaller rocks around the edge.
On the others side was more grass that a herd of deer grazed within. One was larger than the others, with mossy antlers and a white face that also scanned the surroundings.
Trees jutted in the distance. Another cliff-face towered upwards to show the orange and brown streaked rock edges. Way up on the top was a silver tree of peeling bark. Within that tree, and the others bent towards it, was the side of a massive nest.
The stick formations were unmistakable. Dead leaves and branches boxes most of it in. There was an open side; the one I was peering up at, where more small crows perched around the wad of black feathers blowing in the breeze.
I had to avoid that. Another wild creature that was untainted by human contact. Allowed to grow freely, it was massive.
We're the crows drawn to it because it was the same? Or did they simply stay for the scraps it may leave behind.
This was it's territory then. I had to be careful around here.
Pulling out to the right, the river curved along the grass and way down to where I couldn't see it anymore. The trees pushed closer to the water the further it carried on.
Maybe more swamps laid down that way? I'd have to avoid that route. Heading across the river and up through the mountains would be safer, if I could avoid the nest.
The right had another hybrid pressed to the ground to drink the water. With black feathers, its clawed hands gripped the edge. Gleaming wings were tucked beside its body as it scooped and tossed its head back to drink through the dripping beak.
It looked like a mutated crow as well. It must have been an older offspring from the nest of it wasn't being set on by the gigantic creature.
How far did the territory extend? It wasn't the whole land here, was it?
I didn't want to go near it either. I didn't know if it would be friendly, or warn the others and join in on an attack to drive me away.
Straight seemed like a good option. It was between both groups and would be a forward path to dart back to the trees if I needed to. It also had plenty of sun-heated rocks to wash my clothes and dry them on.
Hopefully I wouldn't be attacked while I was naked. That would be embarrassing.
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Taking a deep breath, I kept my eyes on the hybrid further down. Stepping out into the bright sunlight, it's black eyes instantly set on me when it lifted it's head.
Another peeled from the trees meters behind it with a lizard in its beak. Promptly devouring it, the second glanced to the first.
Shit, I didn't expect more of them. If I just stayed silent and kept to myself, I could show them I didn't mean any harm.
Talking to them would only make unnecessary noise and startle both hybrids. They were wilder than I was, and used to different things.
I just needed the water. I really, really needed a bath so I could think straight and smell something that didn't make me want to vomit.
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My feet rolled over the sizzling rocks. Quickening my pace over the flat rock jutting over the water I dropped my shoes and bag into, I dumped my burning feet, then my whole body, into the warmed water.
It still had a frosty bite to it, but it was tolerable. Instantly, the water fouled with the dried mud that was being pulled away from me.
The crows stopped drinking, eying me. With the mud now spiralling through their source, the first walked over to meet the second that crept from the trees.
As long as they stayed over there....
Rubbing my palms along my arms, I plunged my head below the surface gratefully. Now able to breathe in a lungful of fresh air, I grinned at the white feathers starting to lift out of the muck.
Sitting down in the water, I submerged myself fully so I could push back up to the surface with glee. My cheeks burned from the water that pushed into my tired feet. I lifted myself up to swipe at my shoes and drag them under the surface to rub roughly.
More mud drifted away. The water around me clouded from the contamination. With each shake and lift upwards, I could see the original colours gleam through.
I'd have to sit these out for hours. There was no way I was risking blisters on top of everything else by trying to rush the process.
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Looking around, the crows were now out of sight. Up to the left, the smaller ones had scattered; with only a few brave enough to continue drinking. Even the deer had moved further away to gaze the grass.
I was mostly clean. That was my goal. Now, I just had to get the rest to the same standard.
Grabbing my bag to pull out the contents, I submerged it as well. The mud from the shoes had been smeared onto the front. My arms and lower back crusted along the sides as bottom.
Saturating the rock when I slapped it back up there, my shoes were spread out beside it. I pushed back my spare clothes so they weren't dampened.
I couldn't be fully cleaned without scrubbing the clothes I was wearing. They were still coated in mud and reeked. I'd attract all sorts of attention if I kept them in this state.
Checking the nest, the giant hadn't moved. I still had some time.
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Peeling off my filthy socks and beating them in the water, they went beside the roasting belongings. With my feet free, I pulled down my pants and squatted in the water so I could give myself decency as the mud clouded around me and the fabric billowed out.
Keeping my eyes lifted as I scrubbed, I saw the two hybrids were now lurking in the trees ahead of me. I saw their dark heads peel from the trunks, curiously watching.
They were getting a little close for comfort. I still had a few meters of grass before I really had to decide what to do.
For now, we could all remain cautious.
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With my pants on the rocks and dripping behind me, I splayed out my shirt in the available space. Now naked, I could let the water caress my numbed body.
The mud was filtered away. The clear water gave me no decency. I was more concerned about making sure I didn't smell like a swamp than letting a few wild hybrids glimpse my dick, to be honest.
They were more interested in what laid behind me. One pattered down a bit further so it could fly across the water and quickly run back up toward the rocks. It curved around to the trees I had come from, following the path I had created so it could linger at the edge, tongue reaching out to press to the water.
The other wasn't as brave. It went to drink from the river further up. The smaller crows moved away as it did.
This hybrid was making me nervous. It's dark eyes were haunting. The way it looked at me sideways and hopped forth, fluttering back at the slightest movement from me, was a sure way of having the giant creature come down on me.
The hybrid was plucky. It snapped at my bag, abandoning it when I shouted back and grabbed it.
It still hovered nearby, eying my phone. I glared back, waiting for it to try and snatch it up so I could stop it.
It scraped its beak towards it and I retaliated by slapping a hand down to startle it. The hybrid fluttered down, away from my things before the feathers on its neck puffed up.
It gasped out, heaving out loud caws. Between the set of sawing sounds, it gargled; like a comb being plucked. Then, it started up the breathy cawing again.
My heart dropped when it was replied with a screech from above. The sound was like many screams rolled into one; wet, vicious, and blood-curdling.
It didn't come from the nest, however. It was from the trees, gliding closer.
The black mass flapped over the treetops, arching through the air to come crashing to the ground. It's massive black claws were wrapped around a fully grown kangaroo now smashed into the broken grass.
Leaving the kill, the gigantic creature moved towards the river's edge. The back legs pushed forth and the bent wings of the creature acted as arms to help it along. It's bulging neck pulled from its body unnaturally, bending when the jagged beak snapped at me.
The hybrid left me to hop and flutter across to it. The beak snapped at it when it greeted it in the same fashion, abandoning the parent for the meat instead.
Now was my time to leave.
Everything was still soaked. I was naked. I only had my white feathers and little claws to protect me from something that could have easily stretched to the size of an overpass.
It reached the water's edge and made the same plucking comb noise. With a deep breath in, the screams shot forth alongside globs of bloodied saliva.
I could feel my guts shaking from the force. My chest heaved, trying to breathe through the warning barrelling through me.
What did I do?! I couldn't just leave my things here!
Did I stand my ground? Run away and return when my things were dry? How could I be sure they'd be here if I did that?
The neck bulged grotesquely. The crow creature dipped down to the water to drink, letting most of it spill out the side of the jagged beak before it tilted its head to swallow it.
"I'm here!" I shouted back to it "and you are there! There's nothing we need to do! I'm not hurting you!"
It glared back, screeching again. This time, I felt the water splatter across me like rain. It was warm and clung to my clean feathers.
"I'm going!" I growled back, dipping down to wring out my bag over the river "jeez...."
At least I knew that the territory was only extended to that side. If it was over here too, I'd be dead.
I got lucky in that aspect. However, to follow my instincts, I needed to cross this river and continue over that mountain.
I couldn't do that with this creature here. I couldn't wait for it to leave either. The other one was still up there and surely would swoop down in it's place.
Maybe I could bargain with it? The other hybrid had been very interested in my belongings. Could I use it as a treaty for me to swim across safely?
I picked up my pants to wring them too.
There wasn't a lot I could offer. I had a few coins and notes left over. There was clothing, my phone, and trinkets from my nest.
Crows liked shiny things. There was one thing I had....
"Crow!" I called to it, holding out the glinting gold of my treasured necklace "let me cross! You can have this in return!"
Would it understand me? Maybe the hybrids would and make my terms known to the wild creature?
My heart tightened seeing the necklace swirling around my fingers. I had held onto this treasure for years and kept it safe within my own nest. But, without some sort of agreement, I wouldn't be able to see my family again. This creature owned that side of the river. If I crossed further down, it would still find me. Things wouldn't be so friendly when it caught me trespassing.
This was my beloved memory. My heart ached when I forced back my tears, crushing the necklace within my hand to throw it towards the creature.
It watched the gold glint in the light on the arch through the air. Before it could hit the water, the second hybrid swooped around to snatch it up in one foot, dropping it before the parent.
"Let me cross" I begged now when it tilted its head to peer down at it "I want to go that way."
I pointed straight. It's eyes followed the direction.
The creature left the necklace to crawl back to the kangaroo it shoved the other from. Stabbing it's claws through the furry body, it beat its wings to gain enough momentum to become airborne again.
The creature took off, soaring around to make way for the nest. The shoved hybrid lifted it's bloody head to rush for the necklace, snatching it up from the other.
They both squabbled, yanking at each other on their way to the nest. The smaller crows followed in anticipation for scraps.
Was this my answer? I could cross now?
I wasn't going to pass up this opportunity. I didn't have many more trinkets to use as currency out here.
If only it hadn't of been that necklace. But, I had nothing else of value to offer that would have worked.
I couldn't dwell on it. I had to get moving before it changed it's mind.
Wringing and stuffing my damp clothing into the bag, I laid the dry ones on top so my phone had a buffer between them. Everything else was packed inside and quickly added the weight again.
The shoes returned around my neck. The bag was pressed to the side of the rock so I could drop back into the water and hold it above my head.
A few meters ahead was a rocky outcrop. I could wade to there, use the break to gather myself again, and keep going to the next one planted up to the left.
The river wasn't flowing strongly. The current was a gentle tug compared to the pressure of the swamp. Air froze the exposed parts of my torso, while water numbed the rest.
I'd be glad to get on the other side of the mountain so I could dry off as I walked in the sun. The next task before night set in was to find somewhere suitable to sleep that was safer than the ground.
Who knew what else was out here? I got lucky with the crows this time. I couldn't bargain my way out of every situation I'd face.
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Wading slowly through the river with my bag planted on my head, I zigzagged my way to the rocks to regather my strength and keep going.
I kept checking the nest to make sure the giant hadn't changed it's mind. From the cawing of the small crows and whirlwind of feathers, they were all too busy fighting over who got the meat.
I had to find something to eat as well. With afternoon already crawling into later hours, my stomach was beginning to bubble up nausea at the thought of another meal.
I hadn't eaten since dinner last night. I couldn't go much longer without finding something edible out here.
Would I get lucky and come across some wild berries that weren't poisoned? Maybe someone's home I could graciously accept a hot bowl from? Or would I have to start putting my new claws to the test?
Peering upwards again, it seemed that if I did want to track down my own food, I would have to also guard it well or hide away to eat.
What a pain. Nothing could be easy out here, could it?
Pushing forth into waters that lapped my chest, I decided not to dwell on my next meal for now.
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With water dripping from my lips where the river had threatened to drown me on the way across, I carefully hobbled over the rocks and into the grass that I found was concealing sticks and sharper stones.
The ones in the river were tumbled and smooth. These ones stabbed my soft feet and pricked my heels. The sticks snapped under my weight, scratching my legs and raking a long the tops of my cautiously prodding feet.
Pain jolted up my legs and spine when more stones dig into the bone. Hissing through it, I clutched the sides of the trees growing up the side of the incline I pulled myself up.
At least I could appreciate the beauty of nature, now that it filled every breath.
I could smell the soft wood on the trees I gripped. The leaves were sharp with the scent of crisp, freshness; the same scent of the cool river water I had filled my stomach with on my way over. Beneath the fresh scent was sticky honey and crumbling earth. The leaves bit through the air with something that could only be the cliche smell of rustic bushland. Around it all, there was the sourness of vinegar that had wafted from the squashed bugs in the swamp.
Bugs hummed under the heat. Crunching through the leaves and sticks, I darted between the slanted trees for the best leverage. The leaves dangling from them were elongated and notched. Some even bore bumps that had been punched into the thick surface or were growing on the top like pink lesions.
Bark peeled from trees like soft wads of billowing paper. Others were raked through in slithers that jutted outwards. Most had white cotton woven beneath the bark that I didn't dare to touch.
The cawing of the crows gargled into the air. I could hear the branches bending when they landed above. Leaves rustled, dropping in spirals to the thick blanket I already trudged through.
The crows were watching me. Glancing upwards, I swear they were also following me.
To make sure I was leaving, like I said? Were they that smart?
Tightening my bag that hung off my shoulder, I kept a hand wrapped around the strap just in case they tried to take it forcefully.
It wasn't the little crows that concerned me. They stayed in the high treetops, clicking to each other. It was the hybrid I knew that accompanied them.
Wherever the small ones were, the large ones were sure to be too. Those branches groaned under the extra weight. The falling leaves showered behind me when I turned to the noise.
I was already staying true to my word. Was it just tagging along out of curiosity, or under some animalistic instruction by the larger one?
Either way, I couldn't let it bother me. I had my own objective in my heart that it wasn't going to deter me from.
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The slope of the hill levelled out into a small track. It climbed to the left and descended to the right. Ahead, the slope increased into something I couldn't possibly climb.
The left was heading in the same direction I knew the nest laid. Too far and I would probably be bought out at the top of the cliff and meet the creatures face to face.
Hopefully I could divert before that happened. I didn't want my necklace to be wasted on passage if I was going to just blindly wander into danger.
I had no other option. I'd just have to follow the climb and the narrow path winding between the trees.
Crawling up onto it, I took a moment to catch my breath and knock the dirt and rocks from my legs. The wet clothing inside my bag was starting to stain through and dampen my side and shoulder. The breeze licked at it to make me aware of the moisture.
Checking on my phone, I knew I wouldn't be able to save the clothing that was supposed to remain dry. All I had to do was find a safe area to spread out my belongings when I nestled down for the night.
Looking upwards, I'd have to find that soon. The sting of the afternoon sun was waning into a cooler breeze. I had maybe an hour or two of sunlight left before darkness was going to set in again.
Thumping and the crunching of gravel made me aware I now had company. Turning towards it, I saw the bloodied face of the crow hybrid and it's surprise as it stumbled on the uneven ground from its drop above.
Smirking at it, I returned to focusing on my path ahead.
It clicked, following. Each large foot stomped into the ground a few meters behind. It even switched it up and hopped around the trees when I weaved along the path.
Was it looking for another offering? The other must have won the necklace if this one was now following me.
"I've got nothing else to give you" I called back to it "so, you are wasting your time."
It still followed, peering sideways around a tree when I glanced back.
It was kind of funny. The company was nice too.
The crow was the first wilder hybrid I had seen outside of Paragon. Was I going to look like that when I lost my human features and returned to my wilder roots?
Maybe that's why it had taken such an interest in me? In the same way it was weird to me, I was foreign to it. We were so similar, but also strangely alien.
It could have also been my white feathers too. Anything apart from the darkness it was surrounded by would be wildly fascinating.
"My name is Avery" I smiled to it as it paused to preen "how about you?"
Another sideways look. It hopped after me, keeping distance, even when I stopped to wait for it.
"Crow it is then" I smirked.
It was a simple name; too simple. It was the same as Oliver naming a pigeon Pidge.
It clicked, pecking at the ground where a leaf was.
Maybe it was just simple-minded?
Eh. I could say the same for Bruce.
Snorting at my own thought, I kept trudging on.
"I should call you Leaf instead" I voiced "suits you. When you were following me, the leaves fell. You aren't exactly subtle."
Neither was i. I was glowing against the browns, greens and greys. I was also too human-facing to be mistaken for someone like Leaf.
Still, there was something kid of freeing about walking through the cool forestry while naked. Even with feathers covering most of me, it still wasn't enough to conceal my dick swaying with each step.
At least it didn't look diseased. The plucked feathers had ruptured with new ones in my transformation, giving me a little fluffy patch that melded with the surrounding ones.
Time would remove the unnecessary things. Momentarily, I was stuck with this embarrassment.
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Leaf hopped and shuffled along, sometimes pausing to scrape at something on the ground which would result in it having to fly to try and keep up with my pace when it disappeared from view.
As I suspected, the path did curve around the outcrop where the nest laid. I saw the bulging black feathers of one of the creatures backs. The smaller crows were gone too, leaving the single larger one alone again.
I had to be extremely cautious now. The path hooked on itself to keep climbing, but in order to follow it, I had to put myself right in the path of the creature.
I froze, trying to figure it out. The slope was far too sheer to climb, even with trees protruding from the sides. It was almost vertical, leaving me with the path as my only option.
Leaf crooned and rushed past me for the nest. Hopping out onto the rocky cliff-face, it picked along the edge, jumping up when the face of the creature snapped at it.
It grabbed part of its wing, tugging and making the hybrid stumble. When Leaf screeched back, the monstrous creature lunged again in an attempt to nip it.
I could see why it had decided to follow me instead. I tolerated it.
It must have been too old for the nest. New babies were here and the hybrid was being forced out to look after itself. The other was nowhere to be seen.
It was a necessary part of nature. The same happened for me when new eggs came along. The last survivor of three, I was able to live nearby with other fledged siblings, living off the land and snatching scraps until I decided to leave for the city.
Leaf was still trying to win the affection of their parent.
They were distracted for now. I could use this to my advantage.
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Staying close to the slope as Leaf tried to tear off some of the hanging kangaroo for itself, I kept my back to the dirt and eyes on the angered parent.
They rose, snapping again. Leaf cowered down as they received a slap from the giant wing that swooped outwards in warning.
Curling myself up to the edge, I scraped my feet along the dirt so I didn't make too much noise. With myself now lined up opposite the nest, I could feel my heart hammering its way outside of my body.
It was too open. If the creature turned, it would have a clear path to run out and attack me. I'd be just like that corpse; mutilated and splayed out for tearing.
Quickly backing up, Leaf begrudgingly dropped from the nest to soar off. With the threat gone, the parent was going to return to the nest where two chicks were bobbling; barely old enough to have grey fluff on their bodies.
Turning now, I briskly walked up the lifting edge. I didn't try to look back, just in case the other was watching me. If we locked eyes, it would only see that as a challenge. I had to keep moving.
Keep your head down. Breathe. You are fine.
The path rose. Squeezing around the trees, I kept marching up the soft dirt and stabbing stones until the trunks blocked my view of the nest.
I listened, hearing only the sound of the branches cracking under its weight as the creature settled back down. The gutteral growl came, soon followed by the sawing caws that cut through the air in my lungs.
I kept moving. My grip on my bag tightened when I did. My eyes locked onto the path I pushed up frantically.
Even when the branches overhead creaked and snapped, I kept marching on. I knew Leaf was back, following along again.
I felt sorry for the creature. That had been me years ago, confused why I was suddenly a stranger to my own parents. They had new priorities while I could only watch on and find my own patch of land to retreat to.
Returning to the nest was the best option. From there, I could figure out my next step. I could scout out a new tree to call home within the territory, or venture further out in the natural lands.
I wasn't ever returning to concrete. My life now would happen as it should have when I made the stupid decision to leave my homelands behind for distant ones.
That was the last time I flew too. I'd be returning without my wings.
This hybrid hasn't been marked by such cruelty. It didn't even have so much as a scar on its body. It had been well protected to raise it this far.
If only I had been so lucky....
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I waited for it to catch up again. Leaf hopped into view with a small lizard dangling from the side of its beak. It gobbled it up, still maintaining a safe distance.
"Come on then" I tilted my head when it also stopped "I guess I could use a friend on the way."
Pulling my bag across and pushing aside the wet clothes, I pulled up a short white feather; one of my siblings ones from when we first pushed them through.
Laying it down on the track, I took a few steps back. Leaf eyed it, then me, before carefully sidestepping up to it so it could snatch it up in its beak.
"For staying with me" I smiled.
It crooned, the feathers on its head puffing up.
With a beat of its wings, it took off.
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I was pulling myself up the last of the slope and onto a flattened and cleared patch of dirt at the peak of the cliff when I saw the hybrid soaring over the landscape.
From up here I could see the treetops jutting upwards like fields of grass. Mountains swirled before me, all dipping and moulding into more treacherous paths.
Before me was an old log fence at the edge. Off to the side sat a crooked sign that had been swiped clean a long time ago. The green slime that coated it grew around the shrouded writing. The metal post was twisted with vines that stretched up to the side of the sign. A black plastic bin was planted next to it that appeared empty. The lid has been padlocked to prevent animals from getting into it. One side was tilted upwards from where one had tried.
An equally overgrown wooden table laid to the left at the edge of the cleared trees. Obviously this was an area for hikers and not some coincidental find.
The table was patched with white and green growths that had penetrated the wood. The surface itself was so dark from filth it blended in with the surroundings.
With the sunset washing over the trees, everything was dyed a lovely shade of orange and red. Purple clouds spread across the yellowed sky, melding into the darkness starting to smear downwards.
I hadn't found somewhere safe to rest for tonight either, but I had found someone to share my journey with.
The crow perched in the tree branch overhanging the table. Way up above me, it peeked down with something in its beak it promptly dropped.
The thing hit the table to make a cracking sound ring out. Bouncing off from the force, it landed in the soft dirt.
It glinted in the light basking over it. Approaching the bright light, I saw that it was an old golden padlock.
Looking back at the new one fixed to the bin, I instantly knew what had been raiding it.
"Thank you" I giggled as I picked up the lock that I saw was rusted shut "this is some gift."
I couldn't exactly judge it. My own gifts seemed pointless to so many others but each had significance to me. Maybe this lock had its own story?
I dropped it into my bag that I tucked beneath the table.
It would have to do for tonight. At least I'd be sheltered mostly from the elements. If something else swooped in from the landscape ahead, I might be hidden enough to make a getaway.
It was a nice patch of land nestled away from others. With the nest now blocking the curve, it would deter people from venturing further to get up here.
It didn't feel like my home though. There wasn't the same bubbling I got in my gut when I felt safe there. It was just convenient.
Pulling myself up onto the log fence, I watched the sun sinking towards the tiny mountain tops way off in the distance. Water sparkled further away, twisting around the trees to disappear.
Leaf fluttered it's wings from the branch, settling them against its body. Lowering down, its body enveloped the legs clinging tightly when it started to preen.
I could learn a few things from this wild creature.
Pulling across my arm to run the feathers through my own mouth, I laughed just at how odd it felt on my tongue.
I had a little further to go before it felt right.
For now, I would watch my first sunset dying into a glittering sky of stars as a truly free person.
My heart felt full. It called to the distant lands. For once, Adrian wasn't on my quiet mind.
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