Running • Iggy

Love

SUMMER

I didn't go back.

I didn't deserve to go back.

I didn't deserve anything.

I remember living those 5 months almost on autopilot. It was August 31st now, it would be Autumn the next day. We had planned to go back home once summer ended, but I guess I wouldn't be doing that. I had stayed most of the time in a secluded cave near a lake inside a mountain. It was actually quite peaceful there, I had collected enough stuff from different shops to live quite comfortably for a bird kid.

I wanted to go home. It had gotten colder the past 5 months, to the point where I was actually beginning to dislike it. I didn't deserve to, but I decided I was going to go home to pick up some stuff. I took a bath in the lake with some shampoo and soap I had stolen from a shop, got changed into flying appropriate clothing and took off. It didn't really take long to get home, I wasn't living too far away from the city my parents lived in.

As I walked through the streets, still on autopilot, one of the only thoughts I had was that the flock wouldn't be there. They wouldn't come back early, they would stick to plan. I wouldn't have to fight them to get out at least.

The streets were crowded, and I couldn't help but realize that I was probably the only 15 year old in the flock now. Well, if I had still been in the flock. My birthday would be coming up fairly soon, I would be 16. On top of that, Iggy's birthday would also be soon, and it had been around a year since Nudge had gotten taken.

5 whole months since I had seen them. Almost half a year. I wondered if they even cared for me anymore. They shouldn't care, I had hurt them too many times.

As I opened the door to the shop, I think I heard Alisha's jaw drop. "Citrus-" She breathed out. "Where the hell have you been? The others are worried sick!" She quickly ran from behind the counter and wrapped me in a hug. I grunted and batted her away lightly. I didn't feel like talking much. "Getting stuff. Don't tell them I was here." I said flatly. So they were here. Are they here now? I wonder if they have my drawing books.

"Citrus, they've all been destroyed since you left. Max blames herself and Iggy blames himself too. Where the hell did you go?" She asked quietly. I stared at her blankly. "To a cave, where monsters belong. Can I borrow some clothes and food?"

"Citrus.." Alisha whispered, before shaking her head. She locked the shop door, like that would do anything to stop me from leaving. "I can't let you leave. I want you to talk to them, they'll be back soon."

"I could break down that door, it's glass." I pointed out. Alisha bit her lip and unlocked it, defeated. "Fine, come on, I'll get you clothes."

She did just that, without complaints or more persuading. I liked that, honestly. It only took 30 minutes to get everything I needed. I didn't even say goodbye, I just left without another word. The streets weren't as crowded now, everyone was most likely at work. To top it all off, it had started to pour. The rain made massive puddles on the sidewalk and road, the occasional car splashing water all over the buildings. I began to pick up my speed when I bumped into someone a little too familiar.

I registered Iggy's face, then the rest of the flocks. It wasn't even two seconds, but in that time before I had even steadied myself, I bolted. I was always a good runner, but when I'm running from something I am fast. I could hear footsteps behind me, the splashing puddles and surprised voices, but I was faster. I jumped over a massive railing and into a forest.