The dawn turned to day. Ethan, Nutmeg and Felix were sound asleep in the nest. Ginger, however, was unable to sleep. She wasn't even tired. Wide awake, she simply stared outside from the hollow entrance. The forest looked much brighter in the daylight, and the distant city of Chatham County was clearer. Then it hit her. She knew how to save her family from her uncontrollable wrath. It was the only way to do so...Ginger had to leave.
What a world it must be out there. More forests, cities, mountains, fields, deserts, and more, I imagine!
She could go anywhere her heart pleased. She would no longer be a threat to her parents. She would never argue with Felix again. It sounded like a wonderful idea. The only problem? She was still a bit rough on the edges in flight.
It is a bit risky. Though her flight skills had greatly improved, she'd never flown without supervision before.
Well, nothing happened then. she reassured herself. What could possibly go wrong now?
She looked back at her parents. They'd done so much for her, and had taught her so many things throughout the course of her life. She loved them dearly. Felix on the other hand...well...she had mixed feelings about him. She wanted nothing to do with him ever again, seeing how badly behaved he was, but at the same time, she wanted him to be happy. It was odd, she thought, to think in such a way.
Thank you for everything. Ginger wanted to say to them, but she wouldn't dare tell them of her plans. They would certainly not allow it, but she had to leave for their own good. Her mind made up, she silently climbed out onto the hollow branch. She looked at her parents one last time.
"Thank you," she whispered, though barely a noise came out. She spread her wings and looked ahead.
Well...here goes nothing!
The Barn owl jumped and began flapping with tightly shut eyes. She felt a strong, fresh breeze in her feathers. Ginger opened her eyes to see herself zooming over the tree tops. Still flapping lightly, she flew onward. She was beginning to near the city, and she flapped harder and faster to gain height, in order to avoid striking one of the skyscrapers, and soon found herself among them. The humans' environment looked very different from her own. Continuing flight, she gained speed, the breeze grew stronger, and for the first time in what seemed to her to be forever, she smiled yet again.
"Ya-HOOOOOO!"
The owl rode the air currents, loving every minute of freedom. Ginger soon spied the open Atlantic Ocean. Bravery and courage urging her on, she had every intent of crossing it and exploring the lands beyond.
"I'll soar to new heights," she said aloud. "I'll explore the world beyond this land!"
Joy swept through the young owl's body as she looked down at the deep blue waters below.
"Nothing can stop me now!"
