This is the first chapter to accompany the SYOC, 'We're Normal Apart From the Wings'.

Characters;
Ace, submitted by It's Fnicking Awesomeness;
Weston, submitted by Okami-G;
Leo, submitted by FangandIggyRule;
Zee, submitted by crazyCULTure;
Wynnie, submitted by angel experiment 18;
Quanti, submitted by AngelInDisguise123;
and Ashe, submitted by yours truly!

Hope you enjoy the first chapter, and PLEASE, I'm still looking for one or two more characters! STILL OPEN!

Pain.

It was all I could feel, all I could process.

Salty tears fell from my eyes as I coughed the last of the water up. And then my head was pushed back underwater, giving me no chance to breathe in.

As a boot flew to my stomach, I choked, swallowing the frigid water. Then a hand gripped the back of my head, tangling in my dirty hair, pulling me out. After heaving the water out, I drew in a shaky breath.

"Answer me!" His voice bellowed. I could feel him standing over me, daring me to try and defy him.

"If you're trying to get me to develop gills, you're going about it the wrong way," I answered back, my tone snarky.

I didn't hear anything as he pushed my whole body into the large bucket. I let out a startled cry and began thrashing around, the ice cold water instantly numbing my body.

Pain.

I just wanted it to stop.

Lurching up straight, my body gleamed sweat. At least this time I hadn't screamed. A quick glance at the clock confirmed that it was a bit past five in the morning.

I sighed and closed my eyes. I hadn't always had these nightmares. At least, not the water-torture ones. In fact, the School only started using water torture after some bird-kids escaped from another facility. Word got around quick. They'd started using their new-and-improved torture when I was thirteen, a year before I'd escaped.

"Ashe?"

I glanced at the door and sighed again. Maybe I had screamed. "What're you doing up, boy?"

"I can't sleep." Leo simply said.

"Why not?" I asked, swinging my legs over the side of the bed.

"I'm thirteen, Ashe. I think it's about time you let me go for a night time spin."

I laughed gently. "How many times have you tried this with me?"

"Oh, loosen up. Please?"

"Fine, fine. But your mobile has to be with you at all times. And if I think there is any trouble, and I mean any trouble, I'm dragging your ass back here."

"Yes!" Leo screamed. His voice echoed through the empty house. "Ashe, you're the best!"

"I know," I replied with a wink. He laughed and bounded out of my room, his tail swishing lightly behind him.

Getting up, I pulled on some sweat pants and a bandeau.

It hadn't always been like this. No. It'd been worse. We were tested on, our DNA experimented on. But, let me introduce myself.

My name's Ashe Ryder. Yes, I'm female. Yes, I know I have a guys name. But, honestly. I love that name. And if you ever, and I mean ever, make fun of my name. Let's just say you'll be limping for a very long time.

There's this thing you should know about me. And Leo... and, well, the rest of the kids. We have wings. Like, bird wings. Heard of Maximum Ride? I figured as much. Our wings are like hers. They're not fake. They're completely real. And, well, Leo? Yeah, he's part wolf, too. Tail and all. But, you see, unlike Max, my wings have a seventeen-foot span, and I'm three percent Ruppell's Vulture. They're supposed to be really scary or something when you threaten them, but I wouldn't know. It's all the School's fault.

No, not a normal school, where kids learn and make friends. The School where scientists play around with DNA they aren't supposed to. Recombinant lifeforms, avian-humans, lupine-humans. The School where scientists push their subjects to the brink of starvation and testing. And the worst thing? Maximum Ride didn't even tell you half of what they did.

There's also something else you should know about me. My wings are fully retractable. Like, they disappear through the skin on my back, and all that remains are two remarkably straight pink scars, just noticeable. And, the School didn't know about it either. The nails on my hands can turn into razor sharp talons when I flex them.

I walked quietly to the room across mine, opening the door. Zahna (12, nickname Zee), and Wynter (16, nickname Wynnie) were fast asleep, their bodies fighting for space on the small bed.

"Wynnie," I whispered once I was at her side. She groaned and one eyelid snapped open. Her gaze focused on me and she screamed at the close proximity, jumping back and effectively knocking Zee onto the floor. I laughed giddily. "Get up. We're going for a fly."

"I hate you," she muttered. I just laughed more and circled to the other side of the room, scooping the tiny Zee into my arms and placing her back on the bed.

"Wake her up, get outside. Leo's waiting."

Wynnie just rolled her eyes. I smiled.