Chapter 8 – You're a bird, right?
I woke later that evening.
The sun was just setting behind the mountains, causing the blue sky to blend with the orange dust of the desert, displaying a sunburst effect across the horizon. I stood on the ledge outside the cave, taking in the view.
"Hey," I heard a voice right behind me.
I turned to see the tall boy in black. His black hair blew slightly in the wind as his dark eyes focused on me.
"Grubs up, if you want any," he said, gesturing inside.
"Thanks," I replied.
We walked into the cave. My stomach still hurt slightly but thanks to my bird kid genes, I healed faster than average humans. The rest of the flock sat around a fire trying to cook varying types of food on sticks.
"Here, take this," the small boy offered me a can, his blond hair glowing fluorescently in the firelight.
I sat down, grabbed a fork and tucked into my tinned ravioli. I extended my wings slightly, feeling the warmth of the fire heating my feathers. It felt sooo good. After I finished, I looked around at the flock, who all sat silently, giving me the occasional stare. I cleared my throat.
"Thanks for this," I said awkwardly, "For the food and everything, and for saving my life."
"Don't worry about it," replied the tall girl, the orange light dancing on her face. "I'm Max, by the way. You already know Nudge and Angel."
She pointed to the boy in black. "That's Fang."
"And that's Iggy and the Gasman, or Gazzy," she gestured to the last two boys.
"The Gasman?" I said, confused.
"Don't ask why," smiled Gazzy.
"Or else he might show you," warned Iggy.
The flock chuckled lightly and I joined in. For once in my life I felt at home. I thought that I could really relate to these guys.
"Of course you can relate to us," giggled Angel, "We're all the same."
"What?" I gasped. How had she known that?
"I just read your mind. And again," she chirped
"She's scary like that," laughed Max.
"Oh, cool," I said. So she had other gifts, just like me.
"You have other gifts?" Angel asked, eyes widening.
"Stop doing that!" I insisted, and everyone burst out laughing.
"What can you do?" Nudge inquired, eagerly leaning forwards.
"Well, I have this kinda internal radar. I can sense where people are around me."
"No way! That's awesome," exclaimed Gazzy, "Anything else?"
I smiled, "Yeah, I can also store energy in my body, which I can use to heal wounds or move faster."
"That's what you did yesterday?" asked Fang.
"Yeah. Do you guys have any other powers? I asked.
"I can read minds," said Angel.
"I think he knows that now sweetie," stated Max, ruffling her hair so that her blond curls bounced.
"Iggy and I can make explosives," Gazzy said proudly, "And Iggy's a mean cook"
"Much better than Max anyway, and I'm blind for crying out loud!" chuckled Iggy, making Nudge snout apple juice out of her nose.
Once again the flock and I burst out into laughter.
"So, what's your name," asked Max, after we all calmed down.
"I…don't really have a name," I said sheepishly, as the flock stared at me, "I was just called Subject 56."
"Well choose yourself a name, that's what we all did," said Angel.
I sat quietly, pondering. I had never thought about having a name before. In fact, I never thought I would leave the School, or see the outside world, or even make friends with a flock of bird kids. But here I was.
I watched the flickering shadows that the fire projected on the cave walls. I looked down at the orange of the flames as they danced majestically, their heat warming my skin and feathers.
"Phoenix," I said, "my name is Phoenix."
About ten minutes later most of the flock were settling down, ready to sleep. Max, Fang and I sat around the glowing embers of the fire.
"So," said Fang absently, poking a stick into the remains, "How did you really escape?"
I sighed lightly as Max jabbed him, "Hey, he doesn't have to tell us."
"No, it's alright. You should know since you saved me." I said, extending my left wing. I brushed it with my hand to remove some dirt off my primary feathers before talking.
"They strapped me down in the lab, real strong braces around my arms," I recalled. It seemed so hard to remember. "Simon, a whitecoat…he injected me with adrenalin but I absorbed it, holding it back. So they put more and more into me."
I looked down at my bare feet, wriggling my toes.
"When I couldn't hold back anymore, I used all the energy and broke out. I made it to the roof and saw you guys flying away. I…think I took off after you, but Ari…Ari shot me."
I could feel their eyes burning into me, so I looked up at them.
"I probably would never have made it if I hadn't had those injections… but I can't even remember flying here. Just-" I stopped abruptly.
I looked at Max and just for a moment, I saw a flicker of sadness in her eyes. She stood up silently and walked outside. Fang nodded slightly before following her.
"Hey Phoenix. Come sleep over here," Nudge called me over, gesturing to an inviting spot by the wall.
"Thanks," I said.
I stretched out my wings one last time, enjoying the feeling, before I lay down on my side and wrapped them around me. A blanket of feathers.
Warm and cozy, I fell asleep.