We flit from Silas's shoulder back on to Sarah's to see the world through her eyes again. I had been awake for a few days now. I wasn't ready to return to being human; I wasn't sure if I ever would be.
Instead, I elected to stay where I had land after I had completely lost my mind that first time. when I had my desperate escape, from Osiris. I curled up in the cave where for months a few years ago. I had called my home before I regained myself and left to make a place for myself in the world.
I was snoozing when I heard the crunch of sand. I opened my eyes, crouching low, letting my blackish gray fur hide my presents in the pitch black of the cave. The wind was blowing the scent of whoever it was away. I heard them pause in front of each cave till their silhouette darkened the entrance of mine. I couldn't make them out as the sun shone so brightly behind them.
I growled, hoping to scare off whoever it was. But then I heard the voice, "Hello Sarah" and I saw the shift in the silhouette. It looked like it was reaching out to me. A wave of emotion came over me, all confusing at once. He wants me? He somehow found me? No, I'm not ready to deal with him.
He hurt me; he took it too far. This was a trick. He didn't really want me I was drowning in emotions I couldn't untangle. The best I could describe it was hopeful wonder mixed with anger and anxiety and a touch of sadness. I snarled at him. Did he not see what I am? I'm a monster.
He backed up as I slowly padded towards the entrance of the cave. "Come on out, Sarah, into the light" he said, gently beckoning me. I padded out, letting the early morning shine upon me. He sucked in his breath, his eyes roving over my form.
I shook my head side to side, grimacing. I didn't like to be seen. Don't look at me! I wanted to say. But I couldn't speak in this form; my mouth wasn't made for the finesse and eloquence of human speech. rather it was made for the maiming and destruction of flesh and bone, was he stupid? Did he not see what I was? I crouched low, baring my teeth and puffing up my fur, letting out a terrifying hiss.
Silas squared his shoulders and said, "Oh yeah, Sarah? Are you going to hurt me? Are you going to bite me?" I flinched. No, I didn't want to hurt him. I didn't want to be around him. Why was he here? I ran from him. flapping my wings and landing on top of the cliff, where I slunk deep into the underbrush.
I climbed a tree, hooking my back claws to a sturdy branch and wrapping my wings around me like a bat hanging upside down. I let the morning sun warm my wings as its rays struck them. I sucked in the chilled morning air. The scent of cold and wet earth clung heavily to my nose. I tried to work out the mess of feelings I had.
When I heard the crunch of leaves and twigs, I peeked out from my wings and saw Silas walking up to me. I scowled, giving him the dirtiest look you could imagine, and pulled my wings close to my body, shutting him out. I heard him pause, then the slight creak of something. I chanced a glance at him; he was sitting on a fallen log watching me.
He reached out to me, but I bared my teeth. I unfurled myself, grabbing hold of the trunk of the tree, and walked down it. claws digging into the bark, I walked off, finding a sun-dappled clearing where I sprawled out. letting the sun pound my belly, Silas followed me and sat at the edge of the clearing.
He didn't utter a word; he was just close by. Soon the sun was high in the sky, and I was enjoying the warm winter day. listening to the wind blow through the pine trees and the gentle crash of waves in the distance. I was getting hungry, finally dusk fell. I got up, and Silas started as if he had been sleeping.
He followed me down to the edge of the cliff. I put my front clawed paws on the edge, leaning down to ease the jump. I then spring off with my hind legs, using my wings to catch air and cushion my landing. as I landed heavily on the sand with a slight crunch beneath my clawed paws.
I heard mild cursing and a small rock skitter down and hit my shoulder. I looked up as Silas tried to climb down. I cocked my head, debating if I should help him. The sun was fading fast, making seeing difficult for human eyes. The idiot was going to hurt himself, or worse, if he keeps on like that, I jump up. my claws digging and skittering into the rock face.
As I scaled up it, I took Silas shirt collar into my mouth, and like a mother cat taking her kitten by the scruff, I did so with Silas. dropping easily down to the sand below where I deposited him. The sun had gone, only mild pink hues remained that were quickly fading to dark blue. I gave him a reproachful look, then flapped off. The waves tickled my belly.
As I skimmed low over them, the wind could be unpredictable as it eddied over the wave tops. I finally spotted what I was looking for: streaks of silver darted beneath me as schools of fish darted two and fro. I carefully hovered over the water watching my prey, then I flapped my wings, gaining height, before folding my wings tightly against my sides, dropping like a stone.
Breaking the surface of the water, a clear second eyelid slid over my eyes that was designed to keep dust and debris from getting in them. I held my breath and opened my jaws, snapping down on a large silverfish. I swam back to the surface, using my powerful tail to help propel me. Taking off from the water was difficult, especially with a writhing fish in my mouth. I raised my wings high as I broke the surface, flapping hard to try and catch the wind.
Finally, after a lot of struggle, I caught a powerful gust of wind that yanked me from the ocean. I righted myself, drawing my arms and legs close to my body, making it as stream-lined as possible. I reach the beach, extending my legs, and stumble a little when I hit the sand. I make my way to my cave, where Silas was. I grumbled but settled down, tearing strips of meat off my fish.
Silas spoke, "Wow, Sarah, that's a big fish you have" I gave him a side-eyed look before snapping down another piece. I was sure he was here all day following me around; I didn't think he had eaten anything. I dithered on if I should share, finally electing to tare a large piece of fish off. I then took a flat stone, dropped it into the ocean, and retrieved it.
placing the torn-off chunk onto it, I then hit it with fire. I heard the hiss of the evaporating water and then the sizzle of the fish cooking. After a few minutes, I was sure it was cooked through. I waited for it to cool and took the stone back to the cave, where I placed it in front of Silas. I continued to eat the rest of the fish, barely paying attention to him.
When I had finished, I dropped the bones and other bits I didn't eat back into the ocean where other critters would make use of it and settled into my cave. I noticed the rock had no fish on it when I came back, so I assumed he ate it or at least pretended like he did. I settled back at the very end of my cave and dropped off to sleep.
I awoke to Silas staring at me, mesmerized. I got up and stretched. He cleared his throat and gently said. "Sarah" I look at him, my gray meeting his green. He paused then said. "I'm glad to see you alright" He left the cave. I followed him out as I watched him pull the kayak into the water and paddle off to his sailboat.
I felt a pang. Was he leaving? I shook my head, good ridden if he is. I spent the morning sunning myself in the entrance of my cave, tail end gently waving and fanning myself. when I heard the crunch of sand and smelled the familiar scent of pine. I felt a pang of relief that he came back. I flicked open an eye.
Silas was there; he put down what he was carrying. He offered me an egg, sand, and juice; he also set down a pack of cards. Here I got you some food and cards. Maybe we can play again. I cocked my head looking at what he offered me. I didn't want them. I slunk off, and Silas went off again and came back later that evening and brought me chocolate and flowers.
