A Whole New World - Chapter 2: Freedom

This story now takes a first person point of view.

For years, upon years, I was trapped with so many other birds. Trapped since I was a hatchling, no older then a year or so.

That was six years ago...

For six years I have survived in this horror that humans call 'home'. This was not home...this is a cage that we are trapped in and will be for many years to come. For six years I have wondered what had happened to my little brother who was only a few months old when we were captured...I missed him dearly...

I failed my job to protect him...it was a simple thing to do...

Recently, birds have come to calling me 'Shadow'. I hide in the shadows around the cage and would sneak out often but not far before I'm caught again. Rarely anyone can spot me unless I'm out in the open. The name suits me, so I've kept it.

One day, I'm hoping my name will ring true and I can escape.

It wouldn't be easy though. These humans have birds that are loyal to them and will stop us from escaping if one of us get out and them humans themselves are quick on their feet...well not all of them...some are stupid and easily outsmarted.

Sigh...

Everything was planned out that one day...I had almost gotten my freedom again but some stupid bird had caught be just be flew to freedom...grabbed me by my talons and threw me back into the cage...

Often I hear humans talking about how rare I am that I mustn't escape cause I'm worth a 'fortune', whatever that means. Me and my brother are the last Spix Macaws as far as I know, which is why I've been trying to get out of here. I want to find my brother then try and find a female so I can love her, care for her and help restore our species.

Easier said than done...

"You ok there, Shadow? Your deep in thought..." A voice calls, breaking my thoughts.

I look up to see a scarlet macaw, whose name, ironically, is Scarlet, standing not far from me. She has helped through this whole ordeal for the past six years and I'm very grateful for all she's done. I've come to trust her and she trusts me.

She was much like me, expect for the fact she's not an endangered species and she wants the same as me, escape find a mate, love and care for him but unlike me, she didn't have to restore her species.

"I'm fine, thank you Scarlet." I replied letting a small smile onto my beak.

"Thinking about your brother again?"

I somberly nodded my head in reply.

She had hit the nail right on the head. It was hard to hide anything from Scarlet, she was a smart bird and was able to work what was affecting most birds, hence why I've come to trust her. She is able to work out what it is that is troubling you and will do her best to help you solve that trouble.

I yelped slightly when I felt a pair of feathery wings wrap themselves around me and a head lay on my shoulder...I suppose I should add sweet to that list of describing words. Scarlet was like this a lot, it's her way of helping someone as she said, but entirely different.

"Well, if it's any help, I overheard the humans say that they think were tame, so only one human will be coming tonight to feed us."

This news came to me as a shock. I grabbed Scarlet and held her at shoulder length.

"Are you sure about that?" I questioned, hope welling up inside.

"Positive. I couldn't make it all out, but I heard 'one human feeding the birds from now on.'"

I wrapped Scarlet in a feathery hug for a few moments before pulling back and looking the scarlet macaw in the eye.

"Thank you. Maybe we can finally be free."

The end of the day was approaching. How did I know? The humans had an artificial sun lighting the cage. It was pretty much the same as being out and free. The sun comes up, travels the sky, then goes down to make way for the moon.

The time of our escape was quickly approaching. We had discussed what was going to happen with the other birds as they all wanted their own freedom as well and were quick to agree. Most knew that I knew how to get out as I've tried several times, so I know the layout of the building as humans call them.

The time had come as we heard the human coming. I quickly ghosted towards the door and stood next to it, waiting for the human to coming in so that I could fly up and disable the camera above the door, then we would knock the human unconscious.

The human stepped in and walked straight past me which made me grin slyly. With powerful, yet quiet, flap of my wings I was up at the camera in no time. I grabbed a beakful of the wire things and yanked in them, causing them to come free.

I smiled as everything went into motion. I looked at all the other birds, the sly smile still on my face, nodded at them. That's when chaos ensued.

All kinds of birds flew at the human, knocking on the head as hard as they could with their beaks but not the sharp point. It didn't take long before he collapsed.

"Well done everyone!" I praised causing a chorus of cheer.

"Now, follow me, I know the way around this building. Be sure to keep an eye open for birds working for the humans and help a fellow bird if their in trouble for we stick together."

Shadow turned and made his way out the door with all the birds close behind him.

"Freedom here we come..."

So far, everything had gone swell, but knowing my luck, that could change at any moment. I stopped a hallway corner and looked around it, left and right. It seemed all clear, but it had seemed too easy up to this point.

I looked around the corner once more and noticed what I was looking for.

Freedom...

Just at the end of the hallway was a window that I had tried to use the last time I tried to escape and there it was.

I ushered everyone around the corner while keeping an eye out for any birds or humans. They all made it around the corner and to the end of the hallway. I quickly flew down the hallway and up to the window.

I started twisting the thing that held it in place but it was hard. However, I didn't let that stop me. It twisted and I lifted the window with my talons to the point where it holds itself and let go ,then once again began ushering everyone out.

This was still too easy...

All the birds jumped up to the window and took flight all going into the forest to hide and wait for every other bird to say farewells and good luck.

I saw that I was the last bird left and quickly jumped out the window and took flight after everyone else and landed on a nearby branch, a big smile adorning my face.

"We did it!" I cheered, my cheer soon followed by everyone else.

"I couldn't of done this without all of you. So thank you all. I wish you all good luck in the future."

Everyone nodded then we all took off and flew our separate ways. I was going to look for my brother now, though I had no idea where to start and I really wanted to get back to my own kind who was rumoured to be somewhere in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro if he remembered correctly.

And so, he began his search for his brother...

EDITED 19/04/2015