"Who....Who....Who are you?"

Adahlia looks up at the large hand-- wing tip-- which rests on her shoulder. The large winged creature simply tilts its head. A loud trilling sound greets Adahlia's ears.

"I don't understand you," Adahlia says. She begins to study the creature in front of her. She walks around it several times, taking in every inch of its physiology and appearance. She speaks softly as she circles the birdlike creature-- talking mostly to herself.

"Wow! What...? What are you? You're not an owl! Not any owl I've ever learned of. Are you a gryphon? No...Not a gryphon. No lion's body....No tail. Definitely mythical. Am I asleep? Did I fall and hit my head? Maybe Nancy and her friends caught up with me. I'm lying somewhere... unconscious....Possibly in a coma. This is a fever dream. So real. You look so real. You feel real. Your feathers....They are so soft."

As if to test her theory, Adahlia reaches and strokes the soft feathers of the creature's brown and white speckled wing. The creature trills again. Softer this time, and tilts its head a second time.

"Such a beautiful sound. Like a gathering of cardinals singing at once. I wish I knew what you were. How will I describe you to anyone? Who would believe me?"

The creature blinks rapidly. It suddenly stretches its wing towards the creek not far away. Adahlia looks briefly in that direction and then returns her attention to the birdlike creature.

"What? Do you want me to do something?"

The creature almost appears to smile. It tilts its head impossibly further and opens its eyes wide. Another loud trill escapes its mouth, followed by another pointing motion of its wing. That is when Adahlia notices the small vial gripped in its wingtip. The vial contains a shimmering purple liquid. The liquid splashes against the sides of the vial with each movement of the creature's wing. Adahlia's eyes widen with curiosity, and she motions toward the vial.

"What is that?"

As before, the large bird does not answer, it only trills loudly. However, it begins moving off in the direction of the creek. Adahlia follows it; fascination causing her heart to beat rapidly in her chest. The large bird stops at the water's edge. It sweeps one large wing in the air; a few feet over the surface of the water. Then, it reaches into a fold of feathers around its chest and removes a silver chalice. Dipping low, it allows the cup to skim the surface of the water. It offers the cup to Adahlia. She takes it with only slight reluctance. The idea of drinking from the creek her only objection.

"You want me to drink this?" Adahlia questions, already bringing the chalice to her lips.

The creature trills, a different trill, obvious disapproval in the tone. It shakes it head, ruffling some of its plumage. The vial. The creature opens it and pours three drops into the chalice in Adahlia's hand. It motions with a single feathertip for her to stir the brew. She complies. It trills happily; the plumage atop its head puffing out like a feathery crown.

Adahlia does not need to be told what to do. She downs the liquid in four large gulps. When it is all gone, she hands the chalice back to the bird creature. It shows extreme knowledge of cleanliness and hygiene when it rinses the chalice out in the creek before replacing it in the plumage pouch around its chest.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Adahlia licks her lips and smacks them together. A sweet taste lingers on her tongue-- almost like cotton candy and maple syrup. She smiles widely.

"That was delicious. Thank you!"

"You're quite welcome," the creature responds in a high-pitched voice.

Adahlia's mouth drops open and she stares at the creature in surprise.

"And to answer your earlier question...No. I am not a gryphon. Although, I do appreciate the compliment. I'm a Shrike. Sotet is my name. And you are...?"

_

_

Ms. Ingram tries to keep the alarm out of her voice-- and off of her countenance. "I'm sure she's fine, Tyler. But, just to ease everyone's mind; I'm going to ask the counselor to call her mother. Leslie, will you watch the class? Turn to page 27 in your Lit books. Start reading the story. Everyone be on your best behavior. I'll only be gone a few moments."

At that moment, the door to the classroom opens. Ms. Napier, the guidance counselor peeks around the door and motions with a solitary finger. Ms. Ingram quick-steps it to the door and holds a brief conference with the counselor.

Ms. Napier steps out of the doorway and Adahlia enters. A broad smile is plastered to Adahlia's face and she nearly skips to her seat. Tyler watches Adahlia with interest. He has never seen her quite this happy. And where has she been?

Ms. Ingram slowly closes the classroom door and returns to her desk. Relief plays over her face. She opens her teacher's workbook and looks up at Adahlia. Confusion wipes away all of the former relief on her countenance. For a young girl who was almost pulverized by a group of entitled teenagers-- Adahlia is uncharacteristically upbeat. Maybe she was proud of herself for outsmarting them and getting away? Maybe she was happy the older girl never got her essay? Whatever the reason for Adahlia's spirits; it was better for her to be optimistic and chipper than sad and downtrodden.

"As I said class...Page 27. Adahlia, will you start reading please?"

_

_

"Hi, hon," Mrs. Highstreet says in a singsong voice. She enters the house and heads straight for the kitchen. Adahlia is perched on her chair at the kitchen island; her math book open and papers strewn about. Not all of the papers contain math equations. Some have elaborate drawings of a large birdlike creature. She never even knew that Adahlia liked to draw. Aside from some doodles as a child. Mrs. Highstreet picks up one of the drawings. She stares at it admiringly.

"This is very good, hon! When did you take up art?" Mrs. Highstreet inquires.

Adahlia answers noncommittally. She doesn't even look up from her math homework.

"I just started. How was work?"

"Oh, same as always," Mrs. Highstreet answers and kisses the top of Adahlia's head. "Never a dull moment in the life of a bus driver! People are getting ruder and ruder every day. And unless they break some cardinal rule of city busing... There's not a whole lot I can do. It's really sad. Almost done with your homework?"

"Yes, Mom. This is my last subject."

"Good. Then we can have dinner together and watch a movie. I'm on vacation. Need any help?"

"Nah. I've got it Mom. Thanks though," Adahlia says with a giggle.

"Okay. So....Pizza or Chinese?"

"Chinese," Adahlia yells loudly-- almost jumping out of her chair.

"Chinese food, it is then," her mother says with a salute and heads for her bedroom to shower.

Adahlia looks down at her pictures of Sotet and grins. She whispers to herself.

"I'd say....it's been a pretty good day!"

_

_

Adahlia is asleep in bed. Her stomach is full of rice and dumplings; and her heart is full of love for her family and new friend. A feeling of peace has begun to settle into her life. Images of her late father flit in and out of her dreams; mixed with images from Sotet's magical world. A world she had never suspected was hidden within her own.

She hadn't wanted to leave. But the idea of abandoning her mother was a burden on her heart. After what had seemed like days of journeying, she had asked Sotet to return home. To her surprise, it had only been mere moments. But, she would be going back. This weekend. And she would stay as long as she dared. Sotet had promised to introduce her to his clan. She had no intention of missing that opportunity.