The night sky’s darkness urged Ave to rush down the streets. Though more specifically, the same streets Rey had passed through, and towards the same alleyway he’d withdrawn into, as if she was tracking him. Her breath rigid, the air colder than usual, clouds of her drained breath followed her, as she searched relentlessly through the garbage of the alleyway. It wasn’t until she was stopped by a familiarly strong, sweet aroma, had she pulled a large garbage bag away, spotting Rey’s slumped figure knee deep into a cesspool of half eaten food and animals. She approached Rey quietly, though with pitiful eyes as he chuckled in his sleep. “It’s not human meat… It’s food for my baby birds… hehehe….” He said, rolling his head face first in a trash bag.

  “So you’re up to that part, huh…?” She said, helping him up. “Come on… I’ll help you along the way.” With all of the strength she could muster, she then lifted Rey onto her back, carrying him home where his laughter continued making the trail back home for Ave all the more foreboding.

  —-

  Behind the door labeled Kanoa, each of the children found themselves back in their much larger, though still cramped room. Two hours after their trial of sorts, they each relayed more information to one another, Rey began to understand each of their abilities. However, despite the renewed sense of vigor in being able to trust one another, everyone, especially Avery himself, had believed they were still being surveyed, causing their replies to shorten their guards to rise as some of them observed the walls around them closely. During the two hours he spoke back and forth with what he'd jokingly call his “other half”, Avery. Particularly in regard to the others strengths and weaknesses, as well as their own.

  Occasionally, Felix cast judgment looks at her leaders' occasional bouts of laughter and Rey’s, even while in their stressful situation. Harris was far too busy on the yellow lights hanging above them, diminishing their powers, testing the limits of what he could do in a slightly dimmed area through meditation. Connie herself was the opposite, too paranoid to sit still, yet too anxious to be productive. Soon though, Felix’s anger ceased, as the two broke apart, Avery gestured to them with a knock of the floor, shooting their gazes towards the pair“... Guys, c’mere a sec…” he said in a whisper. Each of them beckoned slowly, huddling together. “As nice as that moment was, and the quiet we have now… we gotta talk about a way outta here… Just cuz we completed part one of their bonding experiment or whatever, doesn’t mean we gotta do all of it.” Ave Added on, ““No matter how strong they are, we have the upper hand because their tricks are all too predictable … Like in our world, with this type of experiment you need three things. A secluded environment, conditioning- as in restrictions and rewards that will encourage the subject in what you’d like from them, and Community, people to struggle and grow with them in the experiment.” “we understand ma’am… But…” Connie's eyes stayed glued to the four corners of the wall. “But if they start closing the walls around us- I… I don’t know if I can’t take that right now. We barely made it out alive!” “It’s alright.” Harris said, his own priorities being on the flickering yellow light behind Avery. “Avery… Have you been thinking of a plan, maybe?” He nodded along, though Connie and Felix didn’t seem the least bit relieved. “Oh great… The human boys thought of a plan. Hear that? He’s one of us now.” Although Felix’s voice stayed quiet, her long hair began swaying as it did in tense situations. Pale Avery placed a hand on her shoulder. “Steel yourself. He’s ran it past me. This just may work…” Pale Avery’s words pierced through their wary expressions, allowing them to feel secure in believing her judgement. “Thanks… Uh… Agh. (I can’t call you by my name, it's weird!) Ave! Thanks Ave…” Ave smiled at her new name, happy to be one half of a whole. “Anyways, listen up… Here’s what we’ll do…”

  After a short yet effective discussion the group looked at the pair a bit differently. Not quite knowing whether they felt jealousy or threatened by the two’s ingenious strategy and teamwork. “And that… Is how it’ll work.” Avery asserted, slicking back his hair having blown back himself. As well. “B-but what if they catch the damage to the lights?” Ave shook her head. “There’s no need to be so cautious… There are living breathing people and animals on the other side of this door, people looking over us- observing us through these cameras. As long as that’s a set in stone certainty, I can use them.” Connie smiled, like the sound of it.”T-then I can definitely do my part!” “And I can create a way out… But you, Felix.” He looked down to her still doubting self. “There’s no shot in the world she'll sick ‘em right…” “Yeah…” Connie held her arm, rubbing it uncomfortably. “She makes people do the most disgusting- depraved, amoral things whenever she has them under her control!” “What? Think I’m gonna just play nice with a human?! And it’s not controlling! Somewhere in my brain just makes them act up… So don’t hold me accountable for anything!” She stuck out her tongue childishly. Avery pinched the bridge of his nose, shaking his head hopelessly. “Right… I forgot that power is unpredictable… Does that mean…?” Immediately Ave hushed him by briefly shaking her head and a smile. She turned to Felix with the same smile,”Felix… You are the second strongest in the group. You’re the only one you can rely on, whether you can control others perfectly or not. We just need you to try making those doubts in your head go away…” Felix quickly waved her fist through the air, upset,”Doubt!? Who the heck said I ever doubted myself! I just don’t want when stuff goes bad (like its destined to with a human), you guys don’t blame anybody but yourselves!” Politely, Ave countered,”Well if you know best, find a way to make it work.” Frustrated, she scratched her head, half knowing she was being used, while also not fighting against it. Quietly she’d retort,”Watch, I will! But human boy is gonna have to feed me all the orange goop from his body as a gift!” “Deal!” Avery snickered, as the team dispersed to fulfil their tasks.

  Shortly after, a plethora of footsteps began approaching the door, a familiar voice chastising the other crowd of footsteps intimidated Avery, who sat in front of it, darkness shrouding around him. In a corner of the room, Ave’s voice reached him, gently reminding him,“Just speak nicely. You’re good at that.” The affirmation almost made him smile, that is of course until the door swung open with one decisive kick. In response Avery turned to the door quickly, expecting Kirby only for his eyes to be met with Ms Pemberton’s fiery beady eyes- the hallway itself was blocked off by this time a mass of different articles of clothing from behind her, while a huge wall of wailing dominated “Tch. They even got the lights. All of you, dispatch them!” She ordered, her voice already asserting control over the situation.

  People of all different shapes and sizes flooded into the room, long black rods letting out short sparks wasn’t the weapon of choice Avery had anticipated, he gulped. Though even more intimidating, behind Ms Pemberton sat an impenetrable figure of some sort, their body surpassing even the doorway. “I don’t know how but you brats have forced our men into dismantling our security and caused all chaos to reign down outside. Once we find out how you’re finished.” The group of scientists began encroaching themselves little by little into the darkness. Avery’s nerves intensified, fearing for the worst. As Ms Pemberton began to tread on along with them, a black rod in her hand, Avery quickly grabbed her by the wrist, she flinched, disgusted. “What are you doing!? Get off of me now!” Flustered, Avery responded,” “N-no! I- I mean…” He paused, not sure of what to say, but still pushing himself to act. “I mean… We haven’t done anything you’ve been talkin’ about! But the light blew out and well… Now everybody's all just scared and hidin’... If everyone comes to ‘em all violent, they might lash out! So… Can you please help us out?” He asked, urging the helplessness in his voice. Ms Pemberton quickly escaped Avery’s grasp, though her mind contemplated his words. “Wait!” Ms Pemberton called out to each of the scientists. “Hang onto the walls and use your rods as light… If they act up, discipline them.”

  Each of them nodded, racing to each corner of the room,their rods emanating a dim lights which scanned all around, as if the rooms lights had never been shut off at all, yet none of their colorful bodies could be seen sprawled up in a corner, afraid, as Avery had portrayed. Nor was anyone on the ceiling. “Err… Aren’t they supposed to be big, colorful and noticeable? How da heck d’you miss em escapin’? Asked a scientist with a bowlcut, scratching his head confused. Flustered, Ms Friend glanced at the figure behind her and retorted,”They couldn’t have! It’s a trick, obviously! An ambush!” She flashed a light from behind them, hoping to catch them, though to everyone, even Avery’s surprise, a cluster of dirt, and stone, all with tiny bugs trapped within each piece of debris, could be found slumped against the wall, a large hole beside it. “I-it’s their escape! “ Ms Pemberton said, completely grossed out by the insects swarming around in the dirt and all. “Quickly! Get to them before they escape!” Mindlessly, they all ran towards the hole in a stampede. Expecting to pause before the hole, and to send quick bolts of lightning from above. Instead, the group encountered a slippery hot substance under each of them, off-centering their balance completely, causing each of them to fall into the encroached darkness of the pit. With a harrowing gaze, Ms Friend immediately attributed the liquefied tiles and mass of dirt to be Avery’s fault immediately. Once they’d hit the bottom, Avery couldn’t help but let out a laugh at her expression. “See! Told you! Shouldn’t mess with ‘em!” Immediately Ms Pemberton grabbed him by the collar, putting the electric rod to his throat, though he couldn’t help but continue to laugh. “What’s that gonna do!? You’re next anyway!”

  “I don’t know what you think this is, or who convinced you all to try something so stupid, but I’ll end your little friend- We know you’ve completed step one!” Silence inhabited the room after that. As a reply, instead of emerging from the shadows with their hands raised as she’d expect, the heap of stone and bugs from behind her began to move,closing off the hole and presumably smothering the people below. Unlike before, Avery's laughter stopped, his face like Ms Friend’s, deeply disturbed. Just then Ave’s flowing hair and out stretched arms emerged from the darkness, Ms Pemberton froze, her arms matching Ave’s allowing Avery to break through. With disgust, she scoffed at Ms Pemberton. “You’re wrong.” Slowly she clenched her fist, causing veins to pop from Ms Friends temples, Avery looked on in horror, unsure of what to do himself, but just then, a voice from outside interrupted.

  “Halt.” Avery peered out to the hallway shocked at the familiar sounding guttural voice. The door itself was still blocked by the fabric. Tempted to look beyond it, the fabric suddenly shifted, stooping down to fit through the doorway, then right before him, turning into an eccentric looking man.

  His skin and eyes were sickly yellow, his hair brown, unkempt, thin and straw-like in texture. His face, unlike Kirby’s, felt unfriendly, his features were all dulled, hands veiny and weary, his fingernails each chipped away at varying degrees. Despite the tiredness in his eyes, the placid grin on his face seemed genuine, confusing Avery.

  Quickly Avery backed away as the suffocating Figure. He crouched once in the room. “Ms Pemberton… I… Thought you knew better…If you come too close…they of course… would latch onto you, then sap you of everything, Ms Pemberton…” She groaned, still struggling under Ave’s might. “Let her go… Come out, all of you. If you do, I'll show you Ms Skyler.”

  Although not seen, Avery could instinctively feel the tune of the room changing. He himself doubted the promise, though the idea, despite whatever execution moved him. “It’s true.” Ms Pemberton reaffirmed stifled, still held by Ave. Ave and Avery’s Gazes shifted towards the darker parts of the room.“If you would like… to learn more… about her….here!” Withdrawing something from his coat pocket, the man dashed several IDs each with the face of the woman they’d remembered, but with the name, “Marilyn Friend”. Moments later, each of the children emerged from the darkness, their curiosity winning over. The first thing each of them had noted were the emboldened words at the top of the card, “State Scientist.” Avery looked at the Id Card perplexed. “What…? She was- she was a scientist? But she’s a… So she was lyin’?!” He shouted, the calm demeanor he’d put on faltering slightly. The rest of the children stared at the cards, not sure what to make of it either. “I’m not sure the alias she… used… for each of you… If you want answers, come. Let the truth help you grow…” Avery shot a pleading look to Ave, who at that moment, wanted nothing more than to end Ms Pemberton. Begrudgingly, she paused, letting her go.

  Quickly, the two ran over to the side of darkness, still cautious. As they reached the end of the room, Connie, Harris and Felix each rose out of their own smaller hole, ready to discuss the proposition. “Remember whatcha said? This is to fuel us to fly I bet… We shouldn’t. There’s gotta be another way.” Avery said. Felix, unlike everyone else, tucked the piece of information in her pocket chuckling. “What’s so funny you gremlin?” Harris asked, his body slightly less relaxed than usual. “Well besides the people down there going crazy, there’s just a more fun way to do things now! We’re forced to do it too!” Ave sighed with relief. “So they are alive… Thank the Phoenix…” “We don’t end lives unnecessarily. And we followed your plan. They’re in the tunnel underneath, quiet, but slapping each other and licking their feet.” Feli chuckled loudly, “I think one of ‘em has some fungus too!” “Quiet. They’re watching you idiot!” Connie said, flicking Felix on the forehead. As Connie said, both watched, surprisingly patient, especially Ms Pemberton, who’d still been recovering from Avery’s petrification. “And besides… We need to leave here as soon as possible guys… Remember our original goal?” “Use your head “connie” If the mission was to beat up most of the Star guys, we’re doing a pretty cruddy job. All we have is this useless kid who’s not even one of them, we’re trapped and now we’re trying to get revenge on some peon. So what do we do to get all in one? Come on, use your thinking cap!”

  She said teasingly. Connie thought for a while, before Felic pinched the bridge of her nose.

  “Ah! Quit it!” She refused to relent, leaning closer to her. “We go along with it and rule this school then kill all the fools!” Each of their hairs, excluding the two Avery’s hairs, stood on ends. Although they’d already contemplated hurting Ms Skyler or “Ms Friend”, the idea of complete extermination hadn’t been an idea they’d thought would ever be brought to words.

  “That’s insane.” Harris hissed, though behind the clear opposition to the plan, more doubt laid in his tone more than moral disgust. “They’re… It might cause a war…! What if more people already know about our kind and try to wipe us all out, what then!?” Connie asked, shaking at the idea of the conflict persisting.

  “You don’t think she hasn't thought of that?! The boss here knows how nasty they are, she knows its worth it!” She said looking towards Avery, still deliberating in her own judgement while passing occasional glances to Ms Pemberton. “Even the kid has, I'm pretty sure. (Assuming he’s got brains.), and you guys have too with wanton’ revenge from Ms Skyler- Friend, whatever… I’m just the first to think about it all on a larger scale… But that’s what makes it fun! If they wanna give us wings, then let’s fly! But after that we take no prisoners, it’ll be a total bloodbath!!!” She smiled, her eyes lighting up even more so than her previously playful demeanor, Harris and Connie stood not at all certain of anything. “Well?” Ms Pemberton shouted, tapping her feet with great impatience, and a tinge of anxiety as the man beside her began crushing the computer parts. “What do they say, boy? Can’t wait all day, your families have got work to do afterall!”His breath halted at the word “Family”. “Wait- Family!? What the heck are you talkin’ about!?” He pushed past the darkness everyone behind him struggled in, standing in between the two opposing sides. She smirked, happy to finally hook Avery’s interest. “Only one way to find out…”

  Her glowing white eyes stayed glued to the ID Card. Avery turned to her with almost pleading eyes, wanting to suppress his urgency for the sake of a more practical choice, but failing, Felix’s hair whirled at the “ingenius” of her plan, whereas Harris and Connie, still relenting, looked ready to retreat and stick to their original plan. Despite the contrast of each of their thoughts, each waited for her judgement of the situation. She sighed. “... You know…..It’s selfish of me… But we should….” She hesitated to put down the card, the saliva in her throat choking her.

  “Go…”“What?!” Connie replied, coming in closer to grab both of her shoulders. “But you-! You’re supposed to- We’re supposed to!” Connie arched her hand over her heart. “The phoenix is watching! Our people are!” “Flying is against our nature…” Harris said certain. “I know. And like I said, it’s selfish. But it’s either this, or we’d either be failures back home who couldn’t stop a single gazer, or wrong for breaking the rules… I would do anything to prevent either, but when it comes down to it… I’d rather be a traitor than a failure. Wouldn’t you, Connie? Harris?”

  Slowly they nodded, not wanting to admit it. Whether it be the anger fueling them, a sense of pride or a combination of the two, the vocalization of their thoughts through Avery’s lips urged them to be honest. Felix roared with excitement. “Well what the heck are we waiting for! Let’s go!!!” As Felix ran towards the light, and everyone else exited the hole, the group of scientists rose from the tunnel, slapping each other and rolling around the floor, all while orange balls stuck to their body.

  They each entered the light, Avery slicked his hair back in anxiety as the pain each of her comrades' backs had been turned to was all but apparent. Boldly, he grabbed her hand, she flinched.“You… You made the right choice… It’s gonna be okay. I promise.” She clenched his hand back, letting out a heavy breath.“Thank you, Avery…” Exiting the room clouded in darkness, the hallway’s sharp light blinded mostly everyone, whereas the sharp groans and scientists running up and down overwhelmed them. Though thankfully, the man’s gargantuan, wide figure blocked most of the light, while also guiding them through the daze of people grounding them. The animals stressed, ran through the hallways, scientists running after them with nets, and tranquilizing guns. “Wow Ave… Really did a number on ‘em through surveillance, what’d you do?” Avery asked, sharing each animal's disgruntled, frazzled expression and anxiety. “Not much. I only controlled the body of one scientist and left all of their doors opened. This facility and what they saw did the rest…” “Oh…” He rubbed his arm, now afraid of what could lie ahead. As they pressed on, Ms Pemberton urged the group onwards, still sore over everyone getting the best of her. Following close behind each of their shorter statues. “... Five floors, one hundred people.” Avery’s head tilted at the random calculations Harris had done. “I can sense the energy now thanks to the white light.” “But even now our senses are still slow to come back….” Connie responded quietly with a tinge of annoyance. “Could’ve fooled me!” Avery said with a smile,”You guys work fast! How’d you connect a tunnel that fast, dig up all the first all while hidin’ so well? It’s seriously impressive!” “Oh y’know… We’re trained and stuff…!” Connie’s tiny hairs stood up as she rubbed the back of her neck, flustered. As they all continued to talk Harris noticed Ave’s comparatively calmer demeanor, when holding Avery’s hand. He smiled, relieved she could return to being her regular self for a few moments, yet he couldn’t help but stay wary at how tightly she’d been holding onto him.

  Noticing Harris’s slightly judgemental gaze, Avery became flustered, “You guys uh… Believe in the Phoenix too?” He asked, trying to shift his focus. The man leading them began walking a bit slower.“You do too…? That’s confusing.” Connie held her heart. “The Phoenix only lives through the hearts of those who oppose flying- The Phoenix is a jealous God afterall, it’s power shouldn’t be for everyone!” Felix nodded with agreement surprisingly, whereas Harris and pale Avery kept out of the discussion. Avery himself seemed conflicted with the ideas of the Phoenix though kept it to himself. “Places come up with their own rules in religious stuff to keep things alright… We probably got somethin’ mistranslated, I actually kinda wish we had that version.” Although noting Connie's occasional wandering stares as she along with everyone else had still been processing the moaning of the patients on this floor, he continued, hoping to distract them.

  “My mom and dad- They’re super religious but to tell the truth… I don’t buy it. A magic bird who made the world and is flyin’ through space forever? It’s too good to be true…” Hoping to stir an argument or some reply their silence persisted, concern stretched onto their already worried visages with the exception of Felix who seemed more curious about the whole thing.

  “I… I wish it was true though…” He mumbled embarrassingly. Whether he was telling the truth or saying anything wasn’t entirely clear to him, though the man and his staggering disposition seemed caught up in Avery’s words. “It will be…. I… promise…” His words, although accompanied by a deep rasp like growl after every sentence still carried a sincerity in his words.

  “What makes you say that… uh…”“Bodhi. Professor Bodhi, and don’t you forget it.” Ms Pemberton said aloud to each of them, their gazes instinctively pulled to her words, distracted by the hallways disturbing rooms. “That is because…” His eyebrows rose. “I have my faith in… who… I am.” Faith, having been the first word which had been spoken with the utmost clarity, he continued excitedly. “The Phoenix is here for all of us. The wings we dawn. The… Energy we’ve…” He hacked for a few moments, Connie backed away in disgust whereas Felix hid behind Harris. Mucus dribbled down his lab coat though he didn’t seem to mind. He continued seamlessly “Consumed as our nourishment… It’s a matter of time before we…. I… pull the phoenix into reality…” Connie, a bit taken aback by the blatant disrespect of the Phoenix, quickly opened her mouth to retort, although, the moment she took her first breath was her memory urging her to remember the rules of the Phoenix she had just decided break, She frowned, walking quietly, Avery’s luminous white eyes turned to her, first catching the stubble of hair on her head moving at a dispassionate fray as they turned the corner of the hallway. Still shaky when letting go of Avery’s hand, she held onto Connie's with the same tight grip, Connie did the same.

  The hallway in all of its boundlessness stretched on and on, eventually the tight walls entrapping them in the facility diverged altogether, expanding into darkness as the narrow trail guided them hung over a large gap with small experiments being conducted below. Avery squinted his eyes, attempting to peer through the darkness below them; there he spotted the animals he’d caught in their “therapy sessions” with each of the scientists, but the majority were now laid on a stretcher with a helmet, their brains being analyzed on a monitor. Other experiments being conducted were so large many were contained in large cubicles, fascinated Avery wracked his brain as to what other forms of research could be more important than theirs. Re-entering the cramped corridors they’d yet to become accustomed to, each of them sat relieved by the lack of moaning. Though Harris, still curious, peered into every door they had passed- Perhaps they were now in a nursing area? He thought, trying to be hopeful about their own fate.

  His eyes then caught a glimpse at a pink leg. Though not a caucus shade of pink that showed when the blood underneath someone boiled given enough time, instead it was purely pink. Pink like Avery’s tongue, pink like the sky during the sunrise of their arrival to Earth. Pink, like one of their own. He stopped in his tracks, everyone’s eyes on his paused movement. “Keep going.” She urged, pushing him forwards, he stumbled a bit, but his eyes stayed glued to a pink leg he spotted underneath layers of bandages. Quietly, Connie leaned towards Harris, leading Avery who refused to let go.“Do you feel something?” He nodded slightly. Avery and Felix came close, trying to follow his gaze, though before they could catch wind of what he had seen, a whaft of sourness and blood entered their nose, then stood before them, Professor Bodhi blocking the way. “Come…” The large man urged with a playful smile, his yellow eyes paired with his spread, dry lips kept the pair from inciting any farther. “They are…. not… important. So, come… Your families…” “Ha! Families…” Felix laughed, not at all living in the same world as the others who were confused by the notion of family. “What do you mean? Avery is the only one with a family… Right?” Connie responded, while tilting her head.

  Not questioning the situation further, like a dog being strung along on their leash, Avery immediately moved along behind Professor Bodhi. “Right- You’ve been sayin’ that but where?! we’ve been walkin’ forever-!” With one decisive move of his arm he pointed to the end of the left wing of the hallway. “There.” A stretcher sat in the middle of the hallway holding what appeared to be a child bandaged atop it. Avery’s breath halted, at first expecting a sort of cruel joke, only to spot two familiar figures- One with loose fitted baggy clothes and another an apron, gloves and a white head tie.

  As Avery advanced, Ms Pemberton readied to keep him in line, though Mr Bodhi leaned close, whispering something that kept her quickly grounded. “Avery, wait!” His more rational half called out to him, but it was too late, his tiny advancements became urged by large leaps across the hallway as he caught the sight of a shorter man and woman with chestnut hair like his, and perpetually weary faces that could only be described as comforting for him. Avery ran wildly, pushing past the stretcher which blocked the two. “Rey rey…”

  His father called, they hugged. Avery absorbed the heady earthy aroma latched onto their clothes, hugging each of them tightly he felt he should be enraged, resentful even. Though as his mother affectionately rubbed his back in the circular motion, as she had always done, every inch of anger left him. The onslaught of tears came, choking his speech.

  “I- I-I didn’t think- You’d– It’s been forever!” Although both them and their strikingly mournful faces were tempted to cry alongside him, they both held it together, their eyes drifting towards the approaching group of children their way. Soon after the family let go of each other. Avery dried his tears, his eyes reddened. “Reyrey, how… How are you…?” His mother’s pleasant tone lifted his lingering mind in the past few weeks, though to those who weren’t Avery, such as Connie, Harris, Felix and Avery, they had noticed the shakiness in his mother’s tone, along with the standoffishness of his father. His frail figure compared to his relatively plumper wife gave him an air of fragility they had only seen in Avery, though his sternness kept them weary, the occasional glances of his son, then the four of them and the quiet judgements by his eyes shown by his furrowed brows made brought the four closer, their discomfort and offense rising.

  “I- I’ve been… I've been better… These guys have helped me out… They’re my friends, they-” “Professor Bodhi…” His father spoke. His voice much like Avery carried a particular roughness about it, though not in the boisterous sense, but rather the direct kind.

  “My son. Our son has been good enough for the followin’ examinations. Correct?” He asked curtly, the loose fitted clothes on his body, wrapping around his scrawny figure especially in this moment.“Yes. Very very. well. Having Avery as the mediator was a momentous help…. Your…. recommendation was right.” He coughed into his fist, this time wiping it into his coat.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  Disgust spread across the other Avery’s face. “You… You suggested for him to be here?" She spoke out of tone, letting go of Connie's hand she held onto his baggy pants angrily. Ignoring her, Avery’s mother spoke, still clinging onto him. “Of course he was. And he can surely hold out for the rest of the experiment too. He’s a strong boy. A good boy. A reliable boy.” Although lost on their words, Avery continued to hold onto his mothers plumper figure. “Don’t you worry Mr and Mrs Jones.” Ms Pemberton, in her fiery red hair and a smile unbefitting her usually grouchy mood, walked up to the pair. “Your son has done exceedingly well. We won’t be letting go of him for a long time.”“What?!” Ave yelled, her hair flaring in the air at the ridiculous statement.

  “Hey… boss, relax a sec, please…” Harris grabbed hold of her arm holding her back from the disturbed couple. Avery’s fathers looked her up and down, confused by her appearance while also bringing some offense to him. “Mind your business now. I’m not sure what makes you the “boss” but if I were you, I’d hold yer tongue before you’re gotten like the rest of ‘em…” The four of them stood befuddled by the hostile insinuation, Mr Bodhi intervened as the parents continued to hold Avery, stoic looks crossing their faces.“Now… it is… You turn. Come.”

  “Wait! Avery!” She called out, a big part of herself feeling livid from being restrained, being told where to go. “Don’t forget we’re strong and now we have a plan… if you don’t want to stay, then-”Ms Pemberton smacked her on head, then covered her mouth. “Quiet you! We’re leaving, now.” Defensively she held up her rod, electricity shooting from it. Instinctually, the kids cowered. Felix attempted to summon her orange orbs as a defense mechanism, though before she could electricity shot through her body, quickly, in response while Harris held the struggling Felix, they each dispersed into the room in which the child on the stretcher laid. Mr Bodhi watched the family a few moments longer, before slugging along himself, his long arms dragging along the stretcher, he whispered. “Come on…Todd…” In the quiet Avery hadn’t known himself why he hadn’t tried calming the situation, he wanted to, but he felt helpless in the way of that, if he were to let go they would leave him again. Slowly he let go, his craving for affection only partially satisfied.

  “Why… Why did you guys do it?” He asked desperately while looking at their already serious expressions. “I was all alone! You coulda at least told me somethin’! I thought… I thought you were fightin’ a case for me… Tryin’ to protect me…” Not wanting to lose control of himself, he swallowed the tears. “Why’d you leave me all alone?” For a few moments his father looked towards his mother with a pleading look. She shook her head subtly, bringing a frown to his face. As he opened his mouth, no words came out at first. He struggled. “We… needed you to do this… For us.” His mother took his hands. “You might wanna sit for this, Rey…” As they all sat on the metallic benches, Rey’s knees bounced as his father re-assessed his thoughts, his cold hands buried under his comparatively warmer thigh. Rey chuckled a bit, livening the heavy mood. “You’re always cold pop…”While his mother chuckled, his father hadn’t. “Cold…” A lightbulb went off in his head, swallowed his hesitancy and continued. “Rey, do you know the story of Kanoa?” Rey’s mouth fell wide open- That name, he sat up straight, the bouncing of his knee ceased. “Yeah- YEAH! That’s the name! The name on that door, I was wonderin’ where I heard that…” He repeated the name a few times in his head, the name rolling off of his tongue more than he’d like to admit“But uh, no… I don’t think I’ve heard of the story…” He rubbed his head ashamedly, in truth Rey never did brush up on the religion his Mom and Dad were devout too, though they allowed him leniency so he wouldn’t feel too bad. “The story goes like this. Kanoa, a demigod born of the moisture, sun, nature, and ambition of the moon is utterly heartbroken when he learns the world is empty because it can’t sustain any life…” His wife stared up at the ceiling, her mind wandering.“He searches far and low, and yet is unable to find anyone quite like him. Sad, he starts diggin’ a big hole in the ground, and makes it-” “His home!” Rey said confidently, hoping to at least remember that much. “No. His grave. He decides to lay there until it’s his time to go…But …” His tone rose, a smile could be seen nearly creeping up his face.

  “When he thinks it’s his time to go, rain comes. Then after rain, hail, then after hail, Snow. The world gets covered head to toe in ice. Leavin’ the boy in a... “Winter wonderland. Stead of cryin’ about the cold, he starts to make snow guys and girls- Starts to make people.” Despite his attempts of licking his thin lips to somehow absolve himself of his joy, a genuine smile rose up his cheeks, he shook his head. “It was cold… But do you know what gave us life, Reyrey?” His tone quieted, he held his breath for the answer.“His own life, blood sweat, tears… and care. When someone is so great- when every part of their bein’ is intuited with the world they live in, they’re destined to make somethin’ great… Y’know?”Coming down from the story, while a bit confused, Rey ultimately did shake his head in agreement with his mother. “Why’d you tell me that story pops?”The man etched closer to the edge of the bench, uncomfortably. “Cuz….” He stopped talking altogether… Looking away from Rey, who was now dying to know.“What?! What is it?!” Finally, his mother’s voice rose in response to his panic.“Because you’re that great too!” She said her voice trailing into something forcibly cheery.“Our great son… You… You’re someone who was always meant to do right by others… Always capable… Maybe even… Even destined to do great… And now you can, you will.” She stroked Rey’s soft hand, he pulled away, bringing a frown to both of their faces, especially upon rising. “What’re you two talkin’ about?! What else are they gonna do to me?!” Frightened, his breath became rigid, the hope and levity from everything was nowhere to be found. Unable to take back what they had said, his father rose with him, finally ready to explain everything. “Reyrey, we need this world- We need Everythin’ to change and get better, it’s the way of the Phoenix, the way of Kanoa. This whole thing seemed like a buncha scientific nothin’ to me, before, but once we started lookin’, once we started askin’ questions…” “The whole thing went to shreds…” His mother looked to the floor, clutching her apron. “I don’t get it… What’d you guys see that messed you up so bad you’d do this to me!?” From fear to anger started to rise in his voice, his yells echoed through the hallway, his mother clutched her apron further, drawing Rey’s eyes to an orange stain the cloth.

  “… For years we’ve been tellin’ you we’ve been workin’ as nutritionists for so long now, but the truth is we’ve been workin’ under these people…”Rey’s eyes widened, his rationality started to wane as the absurdity of the situation became too much for him.“For so long we knew this day would come… We just never thought you’d be the one to bring about the next Kanoa…!”

  “Bring out..? But… Believin’ the Phoenix means you only believe in one Kanoa, right?!” He stomped his foot, encroaching on their space. ”You believe in that story- the religion, All of the stories, eveythin’! How can you work with scientists when on any other day you would’ve been lecturin’ me for even quotin’ a passage wrong!?” They both sat silent, their gazes shifting from Rey, his fist became twisted, offended by the volumes in their silence. “Answer ME!” “We did what needed to be done, that’s all you need to be concerned with!” His mother towered over him. She grabbed his shoulders a bit roughly, he flinched.“Now you listen here- Your wings- those children's wings, are the one thing that can change this world-! No one bothers to care about you if you can’t fly at this age- And if you can’t meet the right people while you're flying, you can’t find a well off job! If you can get a good job you’ll have to labor, and if you do labor, you’ll be miserable.” Her voice shook angrily, though not towards Rey but the balance of powers above them. The resolve in her words absolute, shut down any potential rebuttal Rey could’ve mustered. He watched his mom break down his lip quivering with hers. Do you understand that?!” Her words reinforced the question he had for himself, he lowered his head slightly frustrated. The flickers of spit which landed on his face, he cringed alongside her, desperate expression.“Enough…” His father took her off of him, Rey brushed himself off while his father held his mothers hands, turning to him.“We’ve all had to make ends meet Reyrey… I’m sorry we’re hypocrites… If I coulda had things my way I woulda…… painted… But when we met Professor Bohdi he gave us somethin’ to support ourselves… To help make the liquid you’ve been ingestin’.” Instinctively, Rey held his throat shivering at the thought of the thick substance still sitting in the pit of his stomach waiting to erupt of its own volition.

  “It was the only way. With your mother and me’s Phoenix awful sweatin’- He found us special. The only thing he said bein’; the thickness of our sweat could hold the energy your… friends take in…and… be mixed into the orange slop bein’ put into you…” Rey fully lowered his face, realizing in a sick sense his parents had always been with him. He held himself as his parents stared cautiously.“Special? That’s what makes you special…?” He asked disappointedly, vomiting threatening to pelt from his throat. “... To him. Yes. Once you raise the right one of ‘em to be the next Kanoa… You’ll fly, they’ll fly, and he gets what he wants…”Scared to ask, he reframes from saying anything, instead he continues holding himself, disgusted.“The forever life of the Phoenix… He… Wants it..”“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever–!”The room in which the others had been forced into swung open, followed by the fervent laughter of even smaller little boys and girls racing out the room, one of them running covered head to toe in a familiar cast of bandages. They each teasing the large body behind them enticing them to chase, upon emerging from the darkness, Avery growled in disgust, his parents, forcing him close while facing professor Bohdi.

  “Be safe… now, Todd…”He turned to the rattled family.“Your… Friends shall almost be done. Once they are, you will be… Then to Ms….” He paused, the scratchiness of his voice making the words of his last sentence incoherent. He coughed into his fist some more, Avery rolled his eyes.

  “Oh spit it out! Clear your throat it’s- Ahem! Ahem! Is it so hard?!” He snapped at him, both of his parents smacked Avery on the head.“W-we’re sorry he didn’t mean a thing by it sir!” His father corrected him, while bowing his head deeply. Mr Bohdi, not at all offended, continued to smile. “My body gets weaker every day, Avery... To be young. Enjoy it while you can… It will all be gone very soon…” Both of his parents shifted uncomfortably, their chests aching.“Maybe if you’re a nasty old guy who can’t accept the way things are- Maybe then you wouldn’t be so butt ugly!”“Avery, Stop it!” his mother pulled him by the ear, he fought back pushing against her, as they struggled, the door behind Mr Bohdi a noticeable whining from someone Avery could not recognize. “Change…?” He had asked with sincere confusion. Avery pressed on, annoyed by his cluelessness.

  “Yeah! You and everybody else want us to fly cuz it’s expected and “Advance” to “Make a better Future”!” He said, too blinded by all of his frustrations.“...No… Everything… is…. Perfect… This world…. Is perfect…” Avery tilted his head as the man's reply felt more earnest, the delivery of his words carried a clearness he had which stood out to him. The man watched the children run off, from out the door subtle murmurs continued.“The Phoenix will fix me. All of… me….” Rolling up the sleeve of his forearm, the smile he had always dawned quickly fleeted, for once matching his dull yellow eyes. As he rolled up his sleeve a slew of purple veins and black splotches of scabs invaded his arm. While Avery’s parents looked away his eyes drew near at the sudden display of vulnerability, the further each vein climbed, the more Avery’s fiery gaze softened, his mouth hanging open slightly, his brows furrowing. Instinctually he raised his hands above him, taking a step towards the ruined limb, he stopped himself, part of him wanting to ask further, to act on his concerns. His arms lowered, Ms Skyler, Ms Friend- Whoever she was-intruded on his mind. The flurry of wind fighting against the weight of his still un-trained wings, the tears flying from his eyes as she watched his helplessness, smiling.

  He shook his head before he could lose himself, simply reminding him of the uselessness of his empathy. Though still a part of him remained concerned,as his pained face turned to his parents, who although fixed on solely him he signaled for an explanation, help, anything.“These people…. You….” His voice softened greatly, his thumb jammed into the corner of his mouth as hensuckled on it like an infant. “Will see me again… For what my heart and mind say I am…”

  Emerging from the room, Avery, Harris, Connie and Felix returned with shaken looks. The veins and clenched jaws terrified Avery at the threat of tears, though their shaky breaths and wandering impersonal gazes worried him more than anything else. “G-guys?”

  He drew closer, noticing the lack of anger, or rather passion in their eyes when recalling Ms Skyler’s actions, nor did they seem particularly hurt, simply surprised, detached. The stirring anxieties weighing on him, he walked past Mr Bohdi, chills rising from his body as he stared at Avery, while taking off his coat, his smile returning.Ready to interrogate what each had seen, he had paused, noticing the same distinct giggling, fluctuating between deeper, steadier voices to pitchy breathy ones creeping towards them. The darkness of the door became invaded by the pale complexions and energetic movements of more children. With the intensity, and concern towards their own self preservation, each of Avery's previously confident, unphased, otherworldly allies made haste as the laughter continued. With each of their skittish movements from the doorway, Avery’s own fear of the unknown and the vague words of Professor Bohdi pressed him to move quickly, grabbing onto their noticeably more detached leader who had no urgency about her.

  A group of at least a dozen children, all toppling on top of each other, with bandages still wrapped around their frail figures, their laughing continued, incessantly, each reached out to Professor Bohdi.

  “Now, now…. Calm down… We….” He cleared his throat, mucus urging itself upwards as the children held onto Mr Bohdi’s legs, pressing against him with so much affection Avery believed them to be his children. Felix shook her head, laughing moronically as she always had.

  “You really call that our family?! This guy's off his rocker guys! Completely crazy!” She called out, trying to detach herself, while still shaking.Ms Pemberton emerged from the door, leaning against the wall, a mesh of orange thrown onto her body, though she simply smiled, unbothered, in fact entertained by the affectionate display.

  Steadying his breath while attempting to rationalize his confusion, Avery inspected the unraveling of each child’s bandages catching brief glimpses of the same red, green, orange and white on each child’s bare skin if not significantly dullened, though excluding the complexion of the neck to their heads, which was surprisingly normal, that is until the winkled foreheads, saggy necked, and thinning hairs of each child’s head stood out to him, deeply resembling Mr Bohdi himself. Before piecing the facts before him, Ave held onto Rey, her grip tight.“A-ah…!” Ready to pull her off of him, her eyes were noticeably less centered, the curls of her snow white hair which would fly freely regardless if indoors sank sadly as if trying to fall from her head.“I… I can’t…” Her lip trembled as she struggled to speak. Not anticipating her wrecked display, he panicked internally, holding the dorsal of her hand.“H-hey! What happened?!” “R-rey, rey, back up you-” Ignoring the words of his father he leaned in close to Ave as she muttered the words-

  “Help me…”He turned to professor Bohdi, the mucus dribbling down his chin to his labcoat, he finished his sentence, smiling.

  “We… Can’t upset our mommies and daddy… We’ll get in twouble…!” Each of the children continued holding onto the man's legs, attempting to climb up the man’s broad shoulders, not minding the plague of sickness lying ahead.Vexed by those words, he yelled out disgustedly. “What did you do to them?!”“Me…? No…. The Phoenix, Avery…. It brought us together…” Just then one of the children’s eyes locked onto Avery, their downturned yellow eyes mystified.

  Quickly, without properly registering their movements, each “child” with their plump soft arms, tactlessly raced from Professor Bohdi to Rey, his gaze fixed on the growing yellow fervor in their eyes then the groans and incoherent squealing from each of them. Before he could run, or be pulled away from either of his parents, a familiar burning from his stomach, travelling up his throat erupted from his body, a large surplus of jello squeezed from the core of his heart, he choked, reaching out to the sky while falling backwards, only for each of the children to topple onto Rey, forcing the orange gummy from the caverns of his mouth. “Avery!” She yelled startled, her eyes instinctually glowed white, taking hostage of each of the creature's ravenous, desperate moves. Throwing her arms to her side Angrily, each of the children flew to the end of the hallway, Mr Bohdi and Ms Pemberton’s eyes widened briefly, Avery held himself, coughing as his parents begrudgingly reached him.

  “Brothers… Sisters…!” Not placing much importance on their attacker, Mr Bohdi sluggishly moved past the children, his long arms outstretched to his now whimpering brothers and sisters. Ms Pemberton on the other hand, electric rod in hand threatened Avery with a scowling look, still shaken by the disturbing imagery, looking to Rey’s befallen figure, she raised both of her arms ready to take control, everyone else, including Avery’s own allies flailing into place submissively as their eyes stayed glued to the now vacant room.“Don’t take a-another step closer! Tell Avery the truth! Tell him what you’ll be planning.” Dropping her arm to the side of herself, Ms Pemberton looked vexed.“And what’s stopping the rest of you from telling him? Too scared?” She asked mockingly. Only when Avery rose did his parents reach him, their late touches of embrace failed to comfort him, he pulled away, the anger in his eyes leaving them in dismay at never seeing him that way.“A-avery. The Phoenix- kanoa, it’s all-!”“You… You just be quiet,mom… Tell me!” He yelled, his throat still hoarse. With a smirk on her face, the self conscious, hurt look on Avery’s face answering her question well enough, she recounted the facts.“It’s like your parents say boy, and just like you’ve already learnt. You are tasked with nurturing each “person” here into growing wings, as well as yourself. You’re mama bird. And those children… They’re all…” She paused, Mr Bohdi’s body stopped, listening to her wording carefully.“Prototypes, to the eventual complete mastery of immortality.” She wiped her sweat as Mr Bohdi continued tending to each child’s sobbing.“Each was made from a bit of each of you. First Professor Bohdi, the pure donor, next the aliens, our power sources so they could thrive from energy alone and sustain themselves forever, and you, boy, you would be their everything.” She affirmed, Avery’s mother urged herself to intervene, though standing to the side, at a loss for words, Rey held his breath at the implication of everything.“K-keep going…!” Avery urged, her sharp eyes piercing a layer of confidence from Ms Pemberton, her eyebrows furrowed, though not out of intimidation, but out of her hurt pride.“But…” She giggled a bit, walking over to the two, though towering over Avery’s weakened state.“This goop. It gives you the energy you’ll need to grow your wings. I bet you hadn’t known that as you age and continue your flying, you already increase your energy, did you, you ignorant children? It’s been proven that children who fly at faster velocities rather than ascending slowly grow much slower, do you know why?” “Wait- not like this!” His mother cried, whereas Avery’s father went over to Mr Bohdi’s grieving figure.“Cut to the chase, Elephant ears!” He cried, petrified of the truth but needing to know.

  “... Obviously, it's because energy ages you faster. The energy is all inside of you especially, thanks to your family's “contribution”. So only after you hurry growing your wings, to nurture your friends and Mr Bodhi's… siblings.” She said, a bit disgusted.“You three will finally be “free”, you’re going to have to give up your youth in exchange. You’ll probably be an old man before you’re finished! Or better yet, dead!” Her laughing continued, Avery’s eyes widened,completely shook at the recontextualization of his own parents' words- at his own purpose. As Ms Pemberton's laughing Avery hurt alongside Rey shot her gaze towards the cold woman, she glanced away. “Sit!” She yelled before pelting a ray of energy Avey’s way, she jolted, groaning from the pain as smoke rose from her body. Everyone rushed to her aid as Ms Pemberton smiled, pleased at herself at the pain she’d caused, although not satisfied, even while staring at Avery’s far gaze, even as his mother did hug him tightly, apologizing repeatedly under her breath, he clutched his stomach, his nails piercing a layer of skin, wishing to be free of the curse inside of him. Ms Pemberton yelled out to Mr Bohdi, conversing with Avery’s father.

  “Sir! Can we take them to Friend now? I think it’s time!”Mr Bohdi sat with a blank look on his face, rethinking his words. Avery’s father leaned closer, whispering something.“... No…” Ms Pemberton frowned, along with Connie, Felix and Harris who had all been run with too many emotions to be denied.

  “Then… What was this all for!? To just hurt us…!? You know we’ll find a way out for sure now, don’t you?” Connie, although wrecked with grief over the hopelessness of the situation, had felt eager to assert the one thing she was sure of in her mind.“Without any Ms Skyler- Friend! Whatever the crazy lady’s name is! You can’t control us, idiots!”Avery reached out to Felix, ready to chastise her, only to wince in pain. Mr Bohdi recollected himself, wiping the tears from his eyes at his apparent sibling's continuous squealing over their hunger. He spoke, his tone much more indignant,“You… will, wait…. Dive.” Without even anticipating the phrase Avery had mentioned before, each was forced onto the ground just like Avery had been before, though unlike before Avery had still been safe in his mothers arms. Each tried to fight pushing themselves up, groaning, screaming, using their abilities to in some way pause the effect, yet nothing worked. Pulling away from his mother, he belted. “Stop! STOP! Leave them ALONE! I-I’m sorry! We’ll listen, we’ll listen!”

  And as per Avery’s request, Professor Bohdi stopped, his now signature smile creeping up his face. “That’s…. All… I wanted…” Ms Pemberton scoffed at what she would deem as softness, Rey pushed himself off of his mother, staring at his friends face first into concrete. His mother spoke, in a quiet whisper, as for Ms Pemberton to not hear.“All of this. This is all for you, we promise you…” Reaching for the back of his neck to gently stroke it, he fell back, offended.

  “Liar! Liars! Both of you! This is all for money- I know it is!” With his father approaching, Mr Bohdi still gathering his siblings together, Ms Pemberton observing each of their dilapidated bodies, both forced Rey to lean closer, whispering to him urgently.“I bought you some time Reyrey… Reyey… I love you. Always have, always will… We love you and we know there’s a place, somewhere for you… Somewhere…” He paused, his wife continuing his train of thought urgently, her voice shaky. “Somewhere outside of this cage.”With a bit of hope in his heart he halted his fighting as they both held him tightly, they continued urgently. “This world is built on by a buncha people tryin’ to use you Reyrey…” His father clutched tightly, his cold hands and moles on both of his cheeks becoming incredibly clear to Rey in that moment. His mothers floral smell invaded his senses, his fallen comrade from beside him slowly fading from his mind as her quiet sobs and even stronger grip distracted him entirely. “This cage Reyrey… Even if you have to grow up, I know you’ll beat this world… Go beyond everything- everyone else… You only need to fly once. I promise you…!” The sweltering of her tears clogged her throat, she sobbed alongside her husband, though before Rey could reassure them that he’d never let go, before he could wipe their tears away, a sound of thunder blurred his vision, darkness surrounding him.

  With little transition between scenes, Avery opened his eyes to a familiar yellow room. His body laid limp in white loose robes, though from within an incubator. The same incubator he had explicitly denied. Instinctively he shot himself up upon remembering the warmth of his parents- the last glimpse of hope into a secret rationality of their actions, though quickly, Rey crashed into the glass, he held his head as a burst of stars clouded his vision, he groaned. “Dang… It…” Carefully this time, Avery kicked the capsule open, still holding his aching head, as he did, a familiar face greeted him, anticipating his wake, the man's face as eccentric as always, as well as the glimmer which had always bounced off his head.

  “Hey kiddo. Took you long enough.” Kirby exclaimed with a more subdued tone. His view lifted from the “baby birds” in slumber, to his already tensed look. Attempting to rise, wanting to bridge the gap in control between the two, Avery quickly halted, he squealed as his backside was riddled with an immeasurable pain he couldn’t stomach outside of his capsule, quickly he laid back down. The light eased the pain slightly. Kirby chuckled.“Pem really went all out on you… I’m sorry about her, she’s being re-evaluated…” “What… Do you want!?” Avery said, still wincing from the pain. Kirby took over him, looking down pitifully at Rey’s shaky hands as well as his stifling breaths.“I came to remind you of some things… But more importantly. To keep you safe.” Quietly he closed the glass of the tube, Rey’s eyebrows furrowed, helpless. “It’ll only be for a few moments. This is all for the experiment. I promise you.” Hearing the same old excuse, while being trapped in the same predicament before- through this time with people he had genuine faith in, only to probably be worse off than him, hurt Avery in a way he hadn’t anticipated himself. He’d felt hopeless in his weeks in confinement- As soon as he entered this room, although now he felt he’d made a huge misstep in everything- His head wrenched at each of his newfound friends' pained expressions, then suddenly tears flowed down his cheeks. “Yeah. I bet you do. Don’t you? It’s all you guys can do… You’re not scientists, you’re… Takers. Why? Why do we have to be a part of this- Why do they have to be?! Why can’t we just stay!? Everything is fine!” As soon as the words erupted from his mouth Avery immediately regretted such a display of vulnerability, anticipating belittlement of his still “mushy” brain, perhaps another spiel of how this is all for the greater good. Regardless, he rolled his head away from the stoic expression of Kirby. “... Your parents are right, you know. Not about Kanoa. You’ll be free after all of this. No matter what.”A bit taken off guard, he shut his eyes, clenching his teeth expecting- knowing the rug was soon to be swept under him just as always.

  “Do you know why our world believes in wings?” He paused, waiting for a legitimate response, only for a bitter silence to be his only response. “It’s not about the resources, how they came to be, or anything religious. It’s about ambition, Avery. Ambition for humanity… If in the next decade or so, humanity doesn’t get their very own genius, let alone anyone who can lead the world towards an idea of something better- someone who can challenge people and how we perceive things… the world won’t change, complacency has ruined us.” Rey opened his eyes, only glancing at the wall. Kirby’s tone flattened, his pace slow and direct. He continued the trend of silence, a part of himself waiting in anticipation for his next words. “If we keep being complacent, if we don’t show people a world where an adult can fly, and one day pass their genes to create a world where everyone can, MurrowsBrow will always rely on children, and this world will stay the same forever… Your friend's world.” Another heavy hand slammed onto the glass, he flinched.“That’s why, Avery, I’m telling you… Your parents are right. You and your friends will be the first. Then, maybe a few decades, a century? No one will live in MurrowsBrow, and humanity can be anywhere. Thug it out. You’ll grow fast, you’ll have responsibilities over these four months, but I’ve waited longer. We have. I know this is wrong. I know you're disgusted by them, I am too.” He shook his head, chuckling. “I can’t even blame you… Mr Bohdi- All of them. No one needs to stay the same forever…no one needs to go back to being young… We won’t let that happen. So like I said Avery…” He tapped on the glass, gently. Still upset at the circumstance, but at ease upon turning to the man's sincere smile he listened closely.“Thug it out… for us. Please?” He pleaded, waiting for his response eagerly.

  “P…Please?” He paused, never before asked for his empathy, never before asked for someone to believe in them so they in turn can make a change. “I… I don’t…” Kirby let his hands off the glass. He smirked despite Avery’s hesitance. “It’s a lot, I know. I just want you to understand what’s at stake… You deserve it, young or not. Mush brain or not.” He said, chuckling while shaking his head.

  But I’ll say this…” He leaned against his experimenting pod, facing away from him while staring up at the ceiling. “In two months or so you’ll be an adult. Your heart may be like a kid, but your perception of time will make you older. You’ll feel the world the same way I do.” He said with full assuredness, Avery held onto the cuff of his sleeve.“I’m sure then you’ll understand. Which is why… if you don’t help your friends, if you don’t nurture one of them into Kanoa, if you don’t work with me, you’ll regret not saving the world…I promise you… So please. Think.” Soon Kirby stopped talking altogether, even after turning to Avery, their eyes glued to each other. As he stared onto the heads of his still tube ridden friends. He gulped. “I….”

  His mouth moved, a grin peered up the man's face, though Avery, his mind still lingering on the man's sincerity felt a rush of anger swelling in him.