[untitled]

A Chapter by shazzybear

The birds...always the birds. Whenever she felt alone or afraid they would be there, shadowing her, rising above her like dark reminders of her emotions. Harbingers of doom they were known to be.. yet, despite their reputation, for Raewyn they had always been a comfort - of sorts.

They hung above her now, cawing to one another....occasionally alighting on a lamp post or a tree, some of The Seven ahead of her, others trailing behind like rebellious teens. Uniformly black and glossy, yet each one different in their own way. She knew them now, and could easily tell them apart. There, on that branch, grooming himself as though carefree and ambivalent, sat Shukari, the watchful 'leader' of the pack. And trailing second to last was the naughty Lupin. Raewyn smiled. These at least were friends. Not the norm perhaps, but who needed to be like other people anyway?

Since she had turned twelve, nearly two years ago, they had been her constant companions. And although she had initially told her foster parents about her new friends, their continuous worried glances ensured she never mentioned it again. So....more secrets to keep. No matter. Raewyn was used to secrets.

The beginning of the fall. Holding back the screams. Feeling the rush of adrenilan as it hits your extremities with a whump. Then the confusion and the disassociation as you realise where you are. Not falling...not on your way to death, but instead you are in bed, where you are safe. Yet not feeling safe at all.