I am silent for a bit after leaving home again, this time feeling far better about it. My parents seem okay, even if they are confused about things. My sister does not know yet, but she seems to like me. For now, I have something, a chance at a future, even if it is just as the family dog. We are about three blocks away from my house when I hear a whistle. Charlie motions to a tree as Shiners flies down. I circle above, still trying to get used to the dead air, which makes gliding hard.

  I watch the final hints of the sunset as it starts to grow dark. I still have yet to get used to how different it looks with my new eyes. Shiners finally speaks up to me.

  I think at this. I say as I watch Shiners speak with Charlie, who then gives a thumbs up.

  A moment later, Shiners flies back up. he says. I give one last skree down to Charlie before flying off with Shiners in the direction of the fort.

  Soon we are flying over the forest, and I can see the school in the distance. Barely any lights are on, just one classroom and the front door lights. Once again, I feel the loss of a place I never liked but did not hate either. Shortly, the fort comes into view as we make our descent, and I manage to gracefully land on the window ledge. By that, I mean I only clip one feather this time.

  Shiners drops into the fort as he looks around, finding the blanket from a few nights before still there, if a bit stiff and cold. I look around. I say, trying to keep the odd bit of home this feels from my voice.

  Shiners nods as he looks around. he says, giving me a playful nudge.

  I shake my head and give him a side glance, trying to hide my mirth.

  Shiners shakes his head, laughing.

  I look at him sincerely as I nudge him with my beak, almost bowling him over as he gives an annoyed kaw. I give an apologetic look.

  Shiners gives me a half glare at that. he jokes, trying his best to look indignant, but I can tell he still cares.

  I am about to show him who the brute bully is, but I stop myself as I hear the noise of someone climbing the ladder outside. Soon Charlie pops in with a groan. “I got you some food, mostly raw meat and steak, and some hand warmers. I hope they worked great last time,” he says.

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  Shaking my head at the great timing, I fluff my feathers out. I say as I eye the bag, smelling the chicken and meat.

  He shoos me gently while laughing. “Mind your manners. You may be an animal, but that does not mean you act like one,” he says, as he carefully pulls out a plastic and styrofoam container of chicken wings and drumsticks.

  Shiners laughs at this, shaking his head. he says, speaking from obvious experience.

  I give my head a shake as I shrug. I say while my instincts tell me to drag everything out of the bag and eat it if edible, and maybe even if it is not. I am definitely finding it hard to fight the animal instincts to just dig in and scarf everything at once.

  Charlie smiles down at me as Shiners relays that. “You are patient, for an eagle. At least you are not a wolf yet. I am pretty sure I would have lost a few fingers,” he says as he unwraps the plastic wrap around the steak and does the same with the other container.

  Shiners finally moves over and chuckles. he asks while eyeing some of the steak.

  I shake my head. I fight the instinct to say no, but there is more than I could probably eat in a few days. At least I think so. I do not know my daily intake yet. I move over and grab one of the drumsticks once Charlie’s fingers are out of the way.

  Charlie chuckles. “Thank you for not grabbing the finger food,” he says, watching me swallow it whole. “I am not going to get used to that. I got you another blanket. I was not sure how warm that one would be out here for a few days, and a couple of hand warmers,” he says, activating one. “I cannot stay too long, but I will be here before school and at lunch. Anything else you need?” he asks.

  I chuckle, admitting to one thing I could really use. I ask, as one of the things I really miss is the ability to watch TV. I even wonder if there are any games I could play somehow.

  Charlie shakes his head. “Though you know, that could be fun if we figure out a way for you or Shiners to play some games. I am not sure how they would work, but it would be fun to try. Maybe once you are allowed in your home you could figure it out. Your wolf might be good at something,” he says.

  I tilt my head, thinking about that. I say. I bob my head.

  Shiners tilts his head. he says.

  I butt my beak against Shiners. I say as Charlie gets up to head out.

  He gives a shy grin. “Now you two sleep well, and do not stay up all night chatting,” he says as he begins to climb down. “I will be back by morning.”

  I groan. I give him a light chirp as he leaves and grab a chicken leg, beginning to swallow it. I feel content. I ask.

  Shiners nods his head and gives a small birdish yawn.

  I nod my head at this. I give a yawn and decide to save the rest for later as I grab a hand warmer and the blanket and cuddle into it. I ask.

  Shiners laughs, shaking his head. He moves over to cuddle next to me as I yawn and begin to drift off to sleep.

  As I fall asleep, I cannot help but try to understand it all again. This is my new life. I miss my old, but it was a ton of fun to fly. How will my life change by the time I am human again? Will it still be me at the end, or something weirder?