Landed Wings

chapter 36: GONE

ASHLYNN

My hand grips the water bottle that Slade brought me and squeezes. A little water falls from the top before I realize what I am doing. The water dribbles onto my hand and I anxiously flick it off. It’s a new feeling for me – I’ve never felt nervous before. But it hit me. That this is it. No more hiding in a safe house, dreaming about being a spy and a rebel. I don’t think I understood, then. My life is on the line. Get it together Ash. You’re life IS on the line. Focus… I sigh, and look down at my feet. They’re tapping some anxious rhythm, beating on the floor, hummingbird fast. Slade’s voice whispers at me out of the darkness: Showtime… and in front of me, the curtains open slowly, letting in a bright light into my previously dark safe haven, exposing me to the world. My eyes quickly adjust to the light and whether I am ready or not, I see my would-be audience. The first person I see is a man with thick, silky white wings and…a face that looks like Ivory’s. Before I can process what that means, I feel a jolt as I look around to see Ivory and Obsidian looking at me from the seat of a bronze couch. They have equal looks of resignation and surprise in their eyes. But their surprise doesn’t equal mine. I am struck by a feeling of dread. Suddenly cold, a million questions run through my mind all at once. What are they doing here? Do they know? Am I in danger? Is everyonelying to me? I close my eyes because I sense that I should have truly opened them long ago, but now it’s too late… and I am scared. I wish I could go back to being that girl…with only a dream…

As I open my eyes again, there is an almost mental snap in my mind. I have the sensation of something leaving me, sliding out of my mental character with a slick swish…And a presence gone. My eyes fly open in surprise. Mocha…