Landed Wings

chapter 17: TAKEN



OBSIDIAN

After I read the note, I drop it to the ground. It flutters down, weightless as a feather. I want to scream out of rage. I reach out to see if I can feel Raven, but there is nothing. I run out the door and pinwheel into the sky.

“Raven! Raven!”

I scream till my throat runs hoarse. Where is everyone? My mind is jumbled. What do I do? Where’s Ivory, Bramble, Persimmon, Sangria - anyone? Where’s my other half, my matching puzzle piece, where’s Raven? I fly straight to Ivory’s house and hit the ground hard.

“Ivory, Ivory, Ivory…”

My throat is so raw. My words come out weak and whispery. I hammer on her door.

“What, what?”

Ivory yanks the door open, irritated. She looks at my face and goes as pale as her wings.

“What happened to Raven?”

“I don’t know, I don’t know, she left a note in the ice cream, she’s not home, she’s not with you, I don’t know.”

“Obsidian. Calm down.”

Ivory looks as scared as I feel.

“What did the note say?”

“Two things, two things, two things. I’m sorry, Help. I’m sorry, Help.”

I’m babbling and frantic and I don’t make sense. I don’t want to break down, not here, not now but my twin is gone, possibly hurt. No! No, she’s not hurt, I’d know if she was hurt. First Ash, now my sister. What’s going on?

“It said, I’m sorry and Help, that’s it. Ive, it was hidden in the ice cream.”

“Obsidian, I don’t understand. You’re not making sense.”

I breathe, just breathe, and pull myself physically up. I fold my wings in and look up.

“I was in the freezer, getting some ice cream. I opened the tub of ice cream and there was a note inside – I recognized Raven’s handwriting. The note said, I’m sorry and Help. That was all it said. There was nothing else. That’s when I realized I couldn’t feel her anymore. I called for her and called for her, and she didn’t answer. She always tells me when she’s going somewhere, even if we’re mad at each other. We always tell each other. I thought she might be with you, but after the note, I knew she wasn’t. So I came here. Where is everyone?”

“Ob, they’re all at the Sky Festival. It’s today. Raven’s

probably there.”

“She’s not, you forgot about the note.”

“Show me.”

So we go back to my house. We walk into the kitchen and…the ice cream is on the counter, closed. I never closed it. With a terrible knowledge threatening to make itself known, I look desperately on the floor for what I know isn’t going to be there. And sure enough, there is no note. No note at all.