Braiden POV

I didn't want to believe that the scientists who had created us had actually found Gi and Sade, the youngest of our flock.

Laila and I couldn't live with the guilt- ever. We had to go and find them.

"Laila, let's go."

She was on the floor, sobbing.

Liala looked up at me her eyes red and blotchy. "Yes. Yes that probably is best." Liala stood up shakely. "Do you have any idea where they might be?"

"You have a good nose. Perhaps we sniff out the trail?" I felt reluctant to mention her animal-like tracking skills, but surely she wouldn't get mad when she knew I was serious? This was for the kids, after all.

Laila glared at me. "Like I could do anything with this nose right now." Laila looked away. "Can we just wait for a few minutes? Just so my nose can clear up?"

I nodded, feeling my face go red as I spun around and walked to the edge of our roost. I could feel her stare on my back, and I fluttered my wings to get rid of the creepy feeling.

I wanted to make her feel better, but, let's face it, I'm not expert with girls. So I let her cry for a few minutes, though she thought I couldn't hear.

Finally, she stopped, sniffed a bit, and we sat for a while longer.

I could hear a rustling behind me. I looked over my shoulder and saw Laila spreading out her wings. "Let's go," she said taking off and not saying anything else.

We would be flying off in one direction for a bit and then double back changing direction. I didn't like flying around blindly looking for the girls but it was all we had. After about an hour Laila landed and took off down the street.

"Laila, Laila!" I called, catching up to her and giving her a hug. The sky was dark around us, and the streets felt very unwelcoming.

"This is going nowhere. Let's head back to the roost for tonight."

"But they'll be even further away tomorrow!" she shouted, ripping away from me.

I didn't know what to say. Sometimes that just happens to me.

Laila walked down the street allmost running. After a while Laila sat down on the curb and looked at the passing cars. I sat next to her. "I can't find them. Who ever took them was really good." I saw Laila take a deep shaky breath. She looked at me. "Let's go eat. This is hopeless."

"Where? A restraunt? I know you like that one steak house..." I was trying to get her to feel better. I mean, the best thing you could ever do for a girl was to buy her something. At least, I'd heard that somewhere.

Laila shrugged. "Whatever you want. I'm not picky."

Of course that meant that she was all for the idea. I smiled. Maybe I could write a book on girls and their strange habits.

"Alright, then." I took her hand (hopefully that was a gesture she appreciated) and led her toward Steak&Potatoes. It was actually a pretty classy place, but it wasn't very hard to get in.

I instinctively pulled my wings close to my spine as I walked by a family that was waiting with us. Both Laila and I wore jackets, but I still felt self-conscious.

I glanced at Laila and saw her looking down at her shoes as she walked, not looking up. We waited for the person to seat us. I kept on stealing glances at Laila checking on her. Finally the man led us to a booth in the corner. I sat down next to Laila and scaned the menu the waiter had given us.

I felt more comfortable as I felt my wings agianst the booth's back. It made me feel more secure.

"Do you want steak, Laila?" I could tell she was thinking about the girls, a topic I wanted to steer away from tonight. She could at least give herself an hour to be happy.

Laila looked up and smiled breifly. "Yes thanks." Then she looked down at her hands again a frown creasing her brow.

I sighed. Nothing would ever change Laila's track of mind. So why try?

"I'm going to get chicken," I said, in an attempt to be funny.

Laila grimaced. "Chicken?" she asked looking up again.

"Well yes. Considering we're in a steak house." I grinned, trying to convey that it was a joke.

Laila looked around the restraunt as if noticing that we were in it for the first time. "Hmm..." she said not really getting the humor in it. "So..."

It didn't take long to order and get our food. I felt duely impressed with the service. I was inclined to leave a large tip as well...

But then I felt a pain in my head. I leaned over and grimaced, my eyes shut tight. I heard Laila shout, but the sounds of the world quickly drained away, replaced by a high pitched screaming noise. The pain worked it's way down my body, making me grip the table with white knuckles. I opened my eyes, but all I could see was a grey haze.