A Sparrow's Wing Chapter 1 © Melanie Sawyer

A Hoot Fan Fiction

I hated that my parents were making me move. To Florida, of all places. Mom says it will be good for me to get a change in scenery. But, I think I'm just fine right where I am. I don't want to move, and I never planned to. Oh, but Mommy and Daddy knows what's best for their little angel. But they don't. They're taking a kid out of the only place she ever knew, and dumping here in a place that she has never known or been to, to get torn apart by the other kids. The A-class-richy-riches, out to get to me and to tear my self esteem apart, not that I ever had much.

But do you get my point?

I do not belong in Florida. Ever, never ever. Not at all, do I belong there.

Oh, but they are still making me go. See, I have always lived in Michigan. Cold, snowy, Michigan. So Florida is a really big change.

I wonder what will happen in Coconut Cove. Never could know.

I sit on my bed, bare from sheets and pillows and teddy bears, which was just put in my new room. I have a window seat that I can look out the ocean. But still, it does not compare to the view of the snowy streets. I need out of this place. Now. I slip my back pack over my shoulder. I get my new bike that my father got me so I could ride around alone.

I leave without saying a word to my parents. They know I don't want to be here while they unpack.

I ride across the beach, then ride up a hill that leads to a high-class golf club. Men, on the chubby side, were riding on golf carts waving their clubs angrily at the balls. I laughed at the men, and rode along a forest edge.

The trees were alive and green, and full of leaves. Much unlike the bare and dead trees in Michigan. But they were beautiful anyway. I got off my bike and walked into the forest. I saw snakes crawling around my feet, and then a whistle. I knew I went too far into the forest, because then I heard a rustling behind me, and a hand went over my mouth. I tried screaming, but the persons hand stopped me. Then a bandana was put over my eyes, and I was slung over then person's shoulder; which was hard, strong, and a little bony.

When the person sat me down, which seemed like hours later, I felt that I was sitting on a soft cushion, and the hand left my mouth.

"I won't hurt you," a hushed voice said to me.

"B-b-b" I was too scared to get one word out. I didn't trust this person. I didn't even know what they looked like!

I swallowed and tried again. "B-b-but w-why d-did you t-t-take m-me?"

"You were too close. You can't know how to get here." I tried to touch my blind fold, but the same hands that covered my mouth, strained my hands.

"Please don't, just let m-me go. I w-won't say any t-thing. Please." My hands were let go then the blind fold was pulled away. I could see that my kidnapper was a boy my age. His dirty hair was bright blond, and to his chin. His clothes were dirty too. And he looked like he needed a nice long shower. But aside from the dirt, he had a nice face. Snap out of it, Fern! This guy took you and blind folded you! Don't fall for him! My mind screamed. I'm not falling for him. I just thought he had a nice face. Now shut up! I yelled back. His face was worried as he watched me study him.

"You're okay, right? Because I didn't mean to hurt you. I promise." I took a deep breath, and breathed out slowly. I was trying to keep myself from crying.

"I'm fine, physically," I said slowly. "But not mentally. I'm freaking out." He rubbed his hands on his pants, and breathed out. His eyes were looking down.

"I'm sorry I had to do that. I just can't risk my parents finding me here." I looked around where I was. I was in a shabby looking sail boat that was dumped on the beach, away from everything.

"I'm Fern Ridge. Just moved here," I said a little calmer. He looked at me, confused, "You're not mad?"

"Nope," I shook my head. "A little freaked out, but okay." He looked at me like I'd just grown a third eye.

"Okay, good. So, um, where'd you move from?" And why couldn't you still be there. I heard silently. "Michigan," I said, fidgeting with my fingers.

"Doesn't it like, always snow there?" He was smiling a little now."

"Not always. But most of the time, yeah it snows." He points at me and grins. "Okay. I got a name way better than Fern for ya'."

"And it is?"

"Snowball." I laughed. "And that's better than Fern?"

"Yeah, you live in a place where it always snows, so now, you're Snowball."

"That was my rabbit's name."

"Was?"

"Yeah, it got lose when we got here, and then we found her yesterday, dead." His smile disappeared. "I'm sorry."

"No. It's fine. So what's your name." He looked uneasy. "Mullet Fingers." I couldn't help it, I laughed. "Mullet Fingers? Wow. Why are you called that?" He smiled again, and popped his fingers. "I'm really good at catching Mullet fish. My step-sister, Beatrice, gave it to me."

"Mullet Fingers, I think you have the better name. It's way better then 'Snowball'." He shook his head and stood up. "I don't think so. Come on. I'll teach you how fish, Mullet Finger style."

Mullet Fingers (C) Carl Hiassen

Fern (Snowball) (C) Me