Prologue

I panted heavily as another surprise rocking jostled the way to small animal carrier I was stowed in. I don't remember how I got here, but I knew for a fact that I was fuming mad. The moment I woke up I started to scream, cuss, and generally carry on hoping I would be able to get my hands around someone's neck. I took a deep breath and gave another long piercing scream. I coughed my throat raw. 'I am going to be free…' I yelled inwardly. My back was aching from being hunched over my legs stiff and deadened from being pressed to my chest. I let my eyes dart frantically around the dark room, but I could see everything. It looked like I had been put in a cargo room of sorts.

I identified certain items but they were of no use if I couldn't reach them. A hollow thud echoed throughout the room followed by a large rock. I cried out in shock as my carrier slid forward I retracted my finger when it smashed into a box. I moaned in pain my face had smashed right up against the steel mesh door. I jumped when something metal crashed down on the top of my prison. It bounced off and landed a foot away from me. Wincing through my pain I looked over and felt a small bud of hope bloom in my chest. I worked slowly moving my back and legs together to hop over my carrier over to the item. I panted in excitement as I put two fingers through the mesh and dragged the slim metal bar through the steel.

I laughed ironically as I fitted the bar between the top of the door and carrier, and worked the bar up until I heard plastic cracking and the door losing hold. And then the best sound in the world at the moment occurs the metal door leaps forward clattering somewhere off into the distance. I have a small victory by jamming my free hand out the entrance its short lived when my carrier slides back and slams into the opposite wall. I freeze there trying to force air back into my lungs, before I tray wriggle my way out I got a quarter of the way out before I'm stuck. I curse darkly under my breath as I scoot back in thinking quickly I try and lay as flat as I can and move outward again. This time I'm able to get out and I collapse outside groaning as I stretch out my stiff limbs relishing in the feeling of blood rushing to my appendages.

Finally the one thing I had been dying to do it actually makes me almost purr, I extend my dark wings exposing the light under side with dark markings. I stretch them up until they shake with tension as blood flows back into the primaries and secondaries. Then I sigh releasing them from their upward position to pull and extend them sideways. Finally I fold them back gently to my back and stand. Pins and needles dance under my flesh as I take two wobbly steps the tight cloth tube making it hard to walk. I freeze suddenly when I hear a latch being drawn and the creak of a metal door. The footsteps echo throughout the room, and I could distinguish three sets. A flare of a flashlight shines through the boxes as they get closer; I quickly weave my way into the maze of boxes heading towards the direction of the door.

Before I get there chaos breaks loose, the footsteps turn into dashing getting closer to me! They're shouting now in a language that escapes me but it was definitely brutal sounding. I broke cover sprinting for the door I got there first just as the three men shined their lights on me. I smirked disgustedly as I yanked the hatch door close twisting the lock tight and bending the circle into a non-turn able state. Though that effort made me dizzy, panting I turned and rushed up the steps the rocking getting worse as I moved above the levels of the ship until I came to a weather beaten door and burst out. I gasped as I was buffeted by rain and icy wind I scrambled to grab the safety rails near the door. I could barely believe my eyes we were on the ocean in the middle of a squall!

Suddenly a spot light was trained on me making me shield my eyes, and aloud booming voice spit anger at me in the foreign language. Every one of my instincts told me to run, fly, and get out of here and that's exactly what I planned. I let go of the railing rushing forward I started to let the rain and wind slice into my wings and took one leap extending them. They caught the wind immediately but they were pushing me back towards the ship. I pumped my wings hard and wheeled around facing the ship and flew low across the deck. With adrenaline surging me forward I knocked a few crew members off their feet as they took aim with guns letting the wind push me. Finally I cleared the ship and dropped low over turbulent sea rowing my wing to give me momentum. Rain stung me eyes and icy wind cut right through the cloth into my flesh making me shiver. A shot exploded near one of my wings making water splash me, they had a sharp shooter. I growled and started to move every which way I could, if I could just get some warm air I could ascend beyond their sight.

There was no hope for that so I angled upwards at an angle and pumped my wings until my muscles could have screamed. I passed through one layer of dark clouds and screamed when lightning arched over me. I struggled upward though knowing that there had to be peace above the storm clouds. I breached the final cloud layer and near cried at the beauty there. The stars glittered brightly while the moon died everything a milky lavender color. I couldn't tell if they were tears or not but I felt water drip down my chin. And for the first time in fourteen years of life, pain, and inhumanity I took a deep heavy breath of fresh air. I yelled happily as I arched my back and swooped low dragging my hand through the clouds. I giggled as I barrel rolled plastering my damp hair down.

"This is what I wanted… This is true freedom!" I yelled, moving my wings through the motions that I was born with. "I was born for this! A natural flyer!"