Minimum Ride

A Maximum Ride Fan Fiction

Chapter 5: Birdie Hear, Birdie Sing

After thirty minutes of flight, I was ready for a break. I flew until I reached the edge of the woods that faced town. I turned away from the town, banking slightly. Turning the bank into a full circle, I ducked beneath the canopy of trees. Soon I was bobbing and weaving through the trees, taking my time because this was a new skill I had yet to master. But, rest assured, I still kept a steady speed to prevent my going Plop! on the ground.

I spotted a huge Douglas fir tree near the treeline, and headed for it. I landed ungracefully, making the tree sway, gripping the nearest branch for balance. I perched on my branch, leaning my back against the rough tree trunk. Arching my back a bit to provide more room, I spread out my wings, still hot from exercise. I picked part of a leaf off the branch above me, examining it. We had been reviewing these types of trees in science class lately. Trees can be more exciting that you think.

I heard a bird singing, and called back to it. I had always had this strange talent for bird calling. I thought it was just being around them so much, hearing them so many times. Listening, memorizing, learning the language. The bird answered with a shorter song. It was a lower pitched call, as opposed to the usual high-pitch bird songs. A beep from my phone made me jump, shocking me out of my peaceful moment. Pulling the small black phone out of my pocket, I saw it was a text message from Mom.

Payton's back. Lunch ready in five. Please come home.

-Mom

I grinned down at the message. Mom always text like that, like a robot. Even though I've told her time and time again to just type what she would say on the phone, she still text in short fragments. I guess that's just how grown-ups do it. I slid out my keyboard and replied:

I'll be home very soon. Please stop texting like a robot. Thanks. -Kate

Flipping my phone shut, I shoved it back in my pocket. "Here we go again." I said quietly to myself. I held out my arms, brushing them against my wings softly as I leaned forward, falling off my branch. I pulled in my arms quickly, not wanting to mess up my down stroke. I turned tail and streaked toward my cozy little clearing.

So sorry about the chapters being so short! I know, it sucks that they're short, but I usually like to post like two or three at a time, so rest assured, you're getting your time's worth.