Has to be a way out

A/N I am going to rush this part of the story because it is the most boringest part of the book and I must be boring you guys to death!

Shade flew around the artificial forest, five nights he had been trying to find a way out but no luck but he kept thinking, if there is a way in, there must be a way out. He wasn't going to give up, he had found small little portals the bugs came through but it was too small for anyone to fit through. The water didn't taste right, it had a metal taste to it and the beetles didn't have the same crunch and the tigermoths were dopey and slow.

Shade kept away from everyone, he didn't roost beside his mother or Marina anymore and Marina had made friends with a couple of Brightwings and of course Chinook was forever trailing after her. She would ask him to join them but he just made an excuse, she didn't even ask him to join them anymore.

"Still looking?" Marina said flying up beside.

"Mmmm hmmm." Shade replied. He looked behind her and was grateful Chinook wasn't trailing behind her, this was the first time they had been alone in nights.

"How are you liking Paradise?" Shade said thickly with sarcasm as he roosted on the closest tree branch.

"Beats being out in the freezing cold snow and nearly getting eaten by Goth." She said grinning as she roosted beside him."Come on Shade, take a break from being the hero, if anyone has deserved a break it's you! And besides this place isn't too bad."

"Marina, as much as I want to enjoy I can't I feel like we are being locked up and we were trying to find my father! And have you noticed the bugs taste different and the water taste like metal?" Shade said quickly.

"Maybe I have noticed..."Marina mumbled. "But hey it is better than eating fungus off a tree and snowfleas, why are you so suspicious?"

"This isn't the right ending, it feels like a mistake."

"Doesn't feel like one to me, we chose to come here we were not forced, you flew in first remember?" Marina shot back.

"I thought I would find my father." Shade grumbled.

"I'm sorry Shade, but I am happy here and I have been the odd one out for so long and I have a home here, a family. Ariel has been so good to me, and especially you" She said softly "...until you block me out." She mumbled quietly.

"Lets not forget Chinook huh." Shade said looking at the ground.

"You don't like me being around Chinook, don't you?" Marina said sharply.

"Forget I said anything."

"Well its not like you haven't been around much, you are always flying around looking for a way out, or just sulking." Marina pointed out.

"Pfft, I don't sulk." Shade said angrily.

"Well whatever you call it."

"I have a brain, and I am thinking...unlike Chinook." Shade grumbled.

''I will admit he will never ever be an elder, he isn't special enough, but he has a good heart."

"So not having a brain means you have a good heart." Shade said feeling his skin burn beneath his skin with jealousy and rage." Lets not forget how incredibly hilarious he is! What other reasons would you hang around with him for?"

"Hmmm well, he is also handsome." She said casually.

"Really?" Shade said close to trembling with rage and jealousy.

Of course he is handsome, he is the best hunter and flyer in the colony and pretty much the largest bat in the colony. Am I handsome?...no I am too runty but at least I am taller than Marina now, but she is so beautiful and elegant, and I am just so...ugly Shade thought as he sighed.

"Your right, he is very handsome." Shade said sadly as he flew away from their roost.

"He is jealous of you too, you know." Marina called out quickly.


Shade stared at a thick stick, he tried concentrating on trying to snap it but all he could hear was Marina...

"Hmmm well, he is also handsome."

Shade closed his eyes, he was angry again he just wanted to bite a rock or do anything painful to get Marina and Chinook out of his head! To Shade's surprise the stick started to snap, he concentrated on getting it to snap clean. He succeeded when he heard the satisfying snap of the stick, he was breathing heavily from the effort, he didn't even want to imagine what an icicle would be like.

"Very good, you are getting better I see." Freida said from beside him.

Shade's eyes shot open in surprise, he didn't realise Freida had been there.

"Well, I have had plenty of time to practise." Shade said in a boring tone. "Freida, is there something wrong with me? Everyone else seems so happy to be here, no predators, easy prey to catch and not having to worry about getting banned or lost from their colony. Everyone is happy..."

"Except you." Frieda said.

Shade nodded sadly "Except me."

"What is troubling you?" Freida asked.

"We are basically in a cage! A big cage, but the bugs don't taste good and the water taste of metal, I just don't see the point in all this." Shade blurted out.

"I agree." Freida said.

Shade stared at Freida, shocked."Y-you do?'' He stammered and then smiled.

"Yes."

"Well, you will help me find a way out!" Shade said joyfully.

"I'm sorry Shade, there isn't much more journey left in these wings. For me this is my final destination." Freida said wisely.

Shade suddenly realise how old and frail Freida looked, she looked tired and her shoulders stooped. The only brightness left were her eyes.

Shade looked at the ground sadly. "I have tried everything, the walls, the ceiling and the bug holes."

"You will find a way Shade, I know you will." Freida said encouragingly.

"How?" Shade said tiredly.

"Sound. It's your gift and I have told you that your a good listener, you will hear things many others wouldn't. You will listen your way out of here." said Freida.

A/N Sorry another boring chapter :( I can't wait myself for a bit more action! The next chapter is when some of the bats get taken by the humans and Shade and Marina go down the river and yada yada yada.