Chapter One
Let me just start with the basics, my name is Alex. I have four friends like me. Their names are Hal, Peyton, August and Sky. We aren't normal kids, mainly because we have wings and huge air-sacks in our chests. Plus we heal like one hundred times faster than humans. I'd be lying if I told you I was the group leader, though we really don't have one. Truth is, we're just five mutant freaks living by ourselves.
We don't know why we have wings or where we came from but we do know that for our whole lives we've been on the run. Mainly from people who want to "experiment" on us. Trust me, I've had my fair share of it and I'm never going back. I really don't want to bore you with the details of that experience, all I will say is that two years ago the flock (that's what we call our group) was abducted and "tested" on. There were six of us then. Do the math.
My eyes few open. What is this place! I shot out of the bed I was in. My wings flew out and hit the walls. "Ow!" It didn't feel good that's for sure. I gingerly retracted them as I looked around the room. Two beds, pictures, a mini-fridge, this was me and Sky's room! "Thank god," I whispered to myself. I'm safe, not at the lab or in the woods, I'm at home.
I guess I still had a bewildered look on my face because Sky sat up to tell me to shut it but she stopped midway. Almost like she knew what I was thinking, Sky got up and soothed me. Hugging me, she said, "it's ok, we're safe here." After what seemed like forever, she pulled away and brushed my auburn hair behind my ear. "Come on; let's go see if August has started breakfast." I looked at the clock beside my bed, 7:02am. He was defiantly up and cooking.
Sky turned to leave, he golden wings catching the sunrises light. I often envied her wings, they we so beautiful compared to my dull gray wings, though I did like the white feather tips on mine. I feel bad for being jealous of her though. After all, we were practically sisters. Not to mention, we were both around the age of fifteen. Sky was already out the door by the time my feet started moving.
Upon entering the kitchen I smelled eggs and ham. Maybe with hints of garlic and olive oil. Oh, I forgot to mention, us mutant freaks have super sniffers as well.
"Well look who's here! Good morning my lovely, what can I get you?" As usual, I was greeted by August being weird, but let me tell you, he can cook!
"Food," I huffed as I sat on the couch.
August came over with a plate of eggs. I looked up at him and smiled. He returned it with an even bigger grin. Being the youngest of the group, he was always the most energetic, with a side joyous. August when back to the kitchen and got himself a plate, only putting ham on it, he came back and sat by me and Sky. Hal and Peyton were still asleep of course, they never got up before 8am.
It was only matter of minutes before we finished off all the food August had cooked. The flock eats A LOT of food. "Thanks Aug," I looked at him and smirked. Then I turned to Sky. "I'm going to go clear my head." That was the flocks code for, "I need some space so I'm going to unleash my inner freak and fly around." Sky gave me a sympathetic smile and went to help in the kitchen.
I walked out of the living room and went to the balcony, the frigid mountain air causing me to slightly shiver. The view was amazing up here, valleys upon valleys to soar over, evergreen forests as far as my enhanced eyes could see (which is very far). Our house was situated right at the edge of a cliff, which was my favorite part. I climbed up on to the railing and stood there for a while, taking in the peace. It never lasted long.
Drawing in a deep breath, I leaned forward and let myself fall. My stomach leaped to my throat as I plunged into the valley. It was a feeling I came to love. Wind screamed in my ears as I fell, faster and faster. It felt amazing, the thrill of falling, like I was wild and free. My eyes began to water and I blinked away tears. The ground was growing closer and closer until I was almost upon it. At the last possible second I threw open my wings and was jerked up. Beating down as hard as I could I slowly rose back up. My head felt clearer already as I sored up, passing the house and gaining height quickly.
After only a minute or two I was up in the clouds, gliding from puff to puff. Slicing through the clouds, bending them to my will. I stopped and hovered in an open spot, gazing upon the mountains below. Circling around, studying every tree, cloud and rock my hawk eyes could find. I spotted storm clouds on the horizon and deer in a nearby meadow. Still somewhat over the house and I could make out Sky laying on the balcony, looking up at me. Since we both have enhanced vision we able to lock eyes and wave. So cool!
After about thirty more minutes of cloud hopping I decided it was time to come back down to earth. Tilting in just the right way, in flew in huge loops back to the ground. Coming down at the edge of the woods about fifty yards from the front of the house. Tucking my wings in neatly I stood there for a second, gathering my thoughts. I started walking towards the house when I heard a twig break somewhere behind me. Jumping, I wiped around just in time to see a bunny hop out of the woods. "Alex, the girl afraid of bunnies" I chuckled softly. Then I heard a larger noise just behind the line of trees. Of course, I broke the rule in all horror movies, I went to investigate.
Entering the woods, I found myself thinking out loud, "let's hope this is just a really fat bunny." There was a growl behind me, "you're ganna wish I was a bunny!" My head flew around just in time to get a solid kick in the gut. The air driven out of me, I hunched over. Like I said, the peace never lasted long, though this was a record, a whole two months! And you know what else, he was right, I did wish it was a bunny.