MISSING AISLE (PART 17)

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The bird readies to fire another blast but stops. Every one of my glass monsters stops moving. The bird's eyes examine each glass soldier, then melt into a puddle. Its eyes instantly jolt to me. I sheath my sword and put away the shield.

The bird releases a screech that tears the meadow in half. Some stars are snuffed out like candles. The island crumbles more, but I don't move, I nearly piss myself, but I don't move. The beast charges at me. Instead of flying, it runs on the ground to further intimidate me. I still don't move. Its beak is wide open, and I now know the horrors of the inside of a bird's mouth. The endless rows of sharp teeth will forever haunt me. I am about to be eaten.

A gust of grass and dirt hit me. The bird stops centimeters from me. It watches for any movement. I felt my back ache, so I shifted. I was in the bird's mouth in the blink of an eye. Still on the ground, and it hasn't clamped down on me.


RYE

I don't want to fight anymore.


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The bird doesn't move.


RYE

I'm sorry I attacked you. I won't ever do it again.


The bird steps back and closes its beak, still observing me.


RYE

I don't want to fight anymore. 

In those other areas, I felt I needed to fight.

 In some of them, that was true, so I did. In others, 

I made the choice not to. When I came face 

to face with you. You were asleep but so enormous. 

A ferocious beast that gave me this 

primal fear as if I was facing death itself. 

At the same time, you had me mesmerized by 

your beauty. At that turn, I ran on instinct.

 I only did what I felt I needed to do, 

not what was right. Thats not what I want. 

I don't think that is what you want. 

I will head to the exit. Here.


I pull out a to-go box of my burger and fries I got before coming here. Kurt and I make it a tradition to eat together after I fail. It was my turn to pick up the food. For added insurance, I gave Kurt's order as well.


RYE

I know this doesn't make up for what I did, 

but I will return and make it up to you. 

Somehow, and someway.


The bird continues to watch. After a deep breath, I walk toward theexit. I make sure not to run or make any sudden movements. It watches me thewhole time, but it's no longer standing. It sits on the ground, never takingits eyes off me. I make it across the destroyed island to a floating exit sign.I don't know what's waiting for me on the other side. I pass the threshold andam hit with a blinding light and a loud POP!

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