Chapter 4

'Well are you going to tell what is happening?'

'Yes once we are safely off the streets,' I said still looking at the men. They had stopped briefly but continued on.

'I need to get some things from your place, I am not going to run around in your mother's clothing everyday and I'm pretty sure she wouldn't want me to either. So which is the best way to get back to your place without going past the same alley way?'

He thought about it for a moment.

'We can turn here,' he pointed to a road a couple metres away from me,' and then follow the main road until the second left. We should then be able to come around the back through the back way.'

'Let's go, lead the way.' I said beckoning forward.

I followed Seth silently around the bunch of buildings and down the main road to the huge building where his apartment was. He opened the back door silently and entered, closing it behind me. I got in the elevator behind him and watched the doors closed.

There was an awkward silence as the elevator ascended. Seth just stepped out of the elevator when that funny feeling again. I got out quickly before the doors shut and pushed Seth up against the door of his apartment.

'What are you doing?'

I shushed him and leaned back out again. There were a bunch of men down the hall knocking and looking in each of the apartments. They were quite a way down but they would reach us soon. I realised we were uncomfortable close as I started to notice his heart beat and ragged breathing.

I opened the door and pushed him in and went towards the bathroom and got my clothes but Seth blocked my way when I tried to get out. Again he mirrored my movements.

'Tell me what is going on!' He demanded.

I sighed. There was no use trying to avoid it more. He was going to find out sooner or later. I was about to sit down when a knock was at the door. Seth eyed me out but then went over to the door. He opened it.

'Hello? Yes, no I'm sorry I don't... You want to have a look inside... What is this for?' There was a pause,' No.' and with that Seth closed the door on them.

Why did he do that?

I quickly ran to my room and shut the door and locked it. I was just in time when the apartment door slammed open. I could hear voices on the other side and Seth's complaint. They were searching the house. I closed the curtains so the room darkened and then got changed into some of my new clothes. I put my black skinny jeans on and then I cut holes into the green top and fitted my wings into it. The door handle rattled as the people on the other side tried to get in.

'Why is it locked?' A gruff voice said.

'There is only spare stuff in here. Nothing we use often so it gets locked away,' Seth said.

They moved on. I quietly went to the door and unlocked it and peeked out. Seth stood with his back to me as the three men moved further through the house.

'I just need to go to the bathroom,' Seth said. Yes! My chance is now.

As he was just about to turn around I grabbed his shirt and yanked as hard as I could and closed my hand on his mouth as I dragged him inside the room.

He struggled until I let go and set him free.

'What the...'

'Why the hell are you wearing fake wings? This is no time...'

'Idiot! They're not fake!' I said turning around quickly and pulling a feather out.

'Is that what the men are...'

'Yes, that is why these men are chasing me. I came to work for you because that would get me away from prying eyes and would give me a bit of money. Please Seth. You have to keep this quiet.' I pleaded to him.

He was silent, probably still shocked. Suddenly he leaned against the door and sunk to the floor. I was silent. He started to speak.

'My parents were never around when I was little and nor are they ever around now. All I wanted was for them to care for me more or take more notice of me. But they are always away. My friends aren't really friends either. They just want to look popular and feel like they are rich. I have no one in my life nor do I care for life any more. Though when you arrived you made me feel like maybe there is more to life than what it seems at the moment. I won't give you away Serriarn. You are too interesting anyway to let go,' he looked up. I could see there was a deep pain within him.

I came up to him and bent down and took his hand in mine.

'Thank you,' I said. 'Thank you for accepting what I am.' I said genuinely.

'Where did the boy go?'

'We best go,' I said to him.

'How? They are blocking the door.' Seth said confused.

I got up and pulled him up to and went over to the window.

I turned around and just saw Seth hand drop down.

'They are real. You can touch them,' I said. Although we were in a bad position with the men outside looking for me and Seth, I couldn't help but feel at ease around Seth.

Seth looked unsure of what to do so I stretched out my wings into full flight position. He delicately touched my wing then got more confident and stroked it. I turned my attention to the window and opened up the blind then lifted up the window.

'Nice clothes,' he remarked.

I smiled at him. 'Ready?'

'Ready for what?' he said but then understanding dawned on his face as I pointed to the window.

'We're going to jump!'

'What are these for then?' I said.

I got onto the sill of the window and crouched then looked at him expectedly. Luckily the window was big enough to fit me and my wings through it and probably another person too.

'You've got to be joking.' He laughed nervously.

I shook my head.

'The first time is always a little shaky but after that you are going to love flying.'

'Who says I'm going to fly now or again?' he said loudly.

'The kid's in here and the girl too!'

'Now is the time Seth.'

I looked unsure about what to do but the banging on the door and the angry voices outside obviously persuaded him in my favour.

He got onto the sill awkwardly and then crouched there staring down at the ground below. We were close to another two buildings so there was a little abandoned pathway which was a drain with shrubs and grass growing around it.

'Luckily you live so high up so I have enough time to catch him,' I said quietly to myself.

'Catch me?'

Whoops, wasn't meant to say that out loud.

I smiled at him reassuringly.

The banging got louder and seemed like it involved more force.

'You ready?'

'What do I have to do?' he asked.

'You just need to jump then I will follow you and catch you before you hit the ground.'

'What if you don't catch me?' he looked at me then and I saw the worry in his eyes.

I patted his hand.

'Don't worry.'

Now the men outside were using their bodies to try and break it open. It was beginning to work.

'I'll count to three. One. Two. Three. Jump!' I yelled.

He for once did what I said. I watched him jump out of the window in an awkward stance before I followed him. I laughed at the exhilaration as I fell faster towards the ground. I caught up to him. His eyes were squeezed shut. I gripped him under both arms then spread out my wings and angled higher. It had been a while since I actually carried someone up here but after a while my wings regained their old strength and followed true. I flew up higher and higher before we were in the clouds.

'You can open your eyes now,' I whispered in his ear.

He slowly opened his eyes.

'Wow!' He said laughing. 'We are actually flying!' That same smile that I saw in the photo appeared for the first time.

He looked up at me and our eyes met. I smiled back.

'You ready for a second time?'

He looked confused then but then smiled slyly.

'Bring it on.'

I flew even higher until the air got a lot cooler then let go of Seth. He yelled but then whooped. I tucked my wings in and followed him down until I was neck to neck with him. We came through the cloud cover. I went closer to him and put my hands under his arms and spread out my wings. I glided down towards the building where I had been sleeping. It took a couple of minutes to reach the roof. I dropped Seth a metre away from the roof and landed down gently next to him.

'Welcome to my humble sleeping quarters,' I said to him I sat down on my bed sheet near the edge.