Red wasn't sure when it happened.

One night, he was sitting alone, nursing his injured wing in silence. The next, he found himself trailing behind the green and blue hatchlings who had decided, without question, that he was now part of their group.

Inside his mind, his emotions were still adjusting.

Fear wrung his hands. "Are we sure about this? What if they get tired of us not talking?"

Sadness sighed. "At least we're not alone anymore."

Joy beamed, jumping lightly up and down in his usual way. "Guys! This is great! We have friends now!"

Red still didn't talk. It wasn't that hecouldn't—he just didn't know what to say. The words never felt right in his throat, afraid still of saying the wrong thing to them. But Olive and Blue didn't seem to mind.

"C'mon, Red," Blue called, waving him over. "You gotta see this!"

Red hesitated for a moment before following.

Tonight, they had found an old, tattered human book. Olive was flipping through it with fascination, his sharp eyes scanning the strange symbols. "I think humans use this to tell stories," he murmured.

"Can you read it?" Blue asked, peering over his shoulder.

Olive brow furrowed. "Not yet. But I'mgoingto figure it out."

Brooklyn tilted his head. A book that told stories? He had always assumed humans simply spoke their tales aloud, much like the elders did. He leaned in closer, watching as Olive tried to make sense of the marks.

Inside his mind, Disgust crossed her arms. "What's the big deal? It's just a bunch of squiggles."

Joy nudged her. "It's new! It's exciting! Let's be curious about it."

"Here," Blue said, tapping the page. "What's that one?"

Olive frowned. "No idea. But it looks kinda like a claw mark."

Red snorted softly. Itdidlook like one.

Olive's ears twitched. "Was that—did you justlaugh?"

Red froze, his eyes rounding in fear, shaking softly from what he did, having dared to even giggle at one of their jokes.

Inside, Fear gasped. "Oh no, we made a sound! What if they start asking us things?!"

Blue grinned. "Youdohave a voice."

Red hatchling quickly shut his beak, looking away, his ears lowering in guilt, wings draped around his shoulders since his sore one was now no longer hurting as much but still needed to take it easy.

Olive and Blue exchanged a glance but didn't push.

"Alright, alright," Olive said. "We'll wait."

Blue nodded. "Yeah. You'll talk when you're ready."Brooklyn looked between them.

Inside his mind, Joy smiled softly. "They're not going anywhere."

For the first time in a long while, Red felt... safe. Maybe, just maybe, he'd find his voice again soon.