Murrows Brow, Within the focal point of life and any signs of prosperity in its flat world had finally fallen. Merging with the emptiness surrounding it, becoming entirely ruinous and devoid of the life which stayed there beforehand. The walls of the pit were nearly all flattened, leaving a large divot in the valley of sand surrounding it. The park with its wildlife Kanoa had enjoyed, the Hospital in which Ms Friend examined him, and the labs hidden throughout each region had been seemingly lost to time, buried in sand. However, despite the clear aging of everything, The Jones’s household still stood erect, despite every other house in their neighborhood falling entirely. Yet, despite the ruin, as always, children, dawning their colorful wings, pierced through the layers of sand, wearing goggles and tight fitted clothing to make the transition more bearable, then, with smiles on their faces, pouring into the skies. Below what used to be MurrowsBrow, were a short string of interconnected tunnels, all leading to a series of caves of sorts, a great view for a familiar woman with her face covered, while wearing goggles. Her hair was long, snow white, yet still the playful curls they’d always had. She watched closely as each child chattered amongst one another, with her own pair of binoculars. Observing each of their still cheery faces, she frowned. “When…?”

  Water flowed steadily from below between a series of small landmasses underground. The community of MurrowsBrow, now confined to a smaller area, required each and every child or adult without wings to work, in order to cultivate more land. Familiarly, a plethora of individuals stood up breeding heaps of steam clouds, in turn causing the stallactites to come further down. Despite the familiar sight however, there was no Rey nor Ave to be found. Across from the struggling workers, were a group of miners, each with well built frames and callous hands, hammering at the walls rigorously. Two men with shaggy hair, and the combined willpower and strength to clear most of the way with their own hands, were none other than an older Rey and Kanoa. They sweat intensely, but smiled at the rewarding work. Their coworkers looked on, astonished by the amount of stamina the two had. An onlooker, noticing the two’s hard work, yet with a black mask walked towards them. “Wow! You two are working extra hard! Trying to get off early?!” She asked, cheerfully, Rey chuckled,”Well…It’s just an important day is all. Right Noa?” He nodded, still focused on his work. “Well Mr Jones, whatever the case is, I really like your- I mean… I very much appreciate your work ethic. Everyone above ground, and further below will appreciate it a lot.” Rey slicked back his hair, revealing a few gray hairs. “Gosh Louise… You don’t have to be so professional around me! I’m just doin’ my job… I’m just glad I could be of some use for this new world. Right, my son?!” Though Kanoa didn’t oblige.

  He halted, turning to Louise. Unlike before, Kanoa’s skinny figure transformed into something more toned, even growing a hair or two taller, but most noticeably, something was off about his overall demeanor. His eyes hung low, his fist stayed balled up much longer than usually. “Yeah… A new world…” Although the environment around was of an even deeper cavernous trench they had been in before, the world seemed to continue operating in the exact same way. With the only exception of the world hidden underneath the brow of Murrowbrow being fully revealed to the world. “I have to say, I ‘preciate the resources down here. With everybody protestin’ before about the royals corruption and whatnot, now we’re sorta at…” Expecting someone to finish his sentence, he sighed,”We’re sorta at a standstill…” Louise nodded along,”I’m not supposed to say anything, but you’re right on the money… Down here we have all the minerals, filtered water and space. And it’s not like anybody can take that away from you guys.” She smirked, bumping Rey on the shoulder playfully,”Not when the Phoenix provided said unexpected miracle!” She chuckled, Rey gave a stiff laugh alongside her, casting occasional glances at Kanoa. Quickly Louise covered her mouth,”Ah! No! No gossiping, come on! This is hard…” She shook her head hopelessly.”Y-yeah, let’s not talk about this.” Replied Rey worrying for Kanoa’s discomfort.

  After a few moments of more banter and catching up, Kanoa quietly spoke, asking Louise.”Could I… Leave. I have to pick up my brother and sister… From work…” His voice was much quieter and less excitable. Rey, astonished he could forget such a thing, patted Kanoa on the back,”Right, right! I got so caught up in all of this, how could I forget!?” “I don’t know…” He said, looking away from his father, sounding slightly annoyed. Noticing the two’s different dispositions Louise couldn’t help but smile. “Kanoa and Avery Jones… You two remind me of me and my mom… It’s cute… B-but uh, yeah, you could go! Just be sure to let the district manager know you’re their sibling, (they get all cranky!)” Nodding along, kanoa left. Rey, watching him, sighed. “He’s such a… teenager now. Still love ‘im of course! But you never know what he’s thinkin’...” “That was my mom…” Lousise replied, looking at the back of Kanoa,”She used to be a scientist… Always so serious, always so quick to anger with anything “kiddy”. It’s a phase for some people… They’re projecting toughness, I’d say” Curious, he asked,”Oh yeah ... There's no doubt in the world my son is just goin’ through that phase. He’ll bounce back, he always does.” Rey thought back to the two’s conversation as Kanoa ripped their old world asunder. “Oh yeah, I know that… I mean, you and your father, injured as you were back when we found you, still had your son to calm down his siblings, still strong even when we had to retreat down here.” He smirked while thinking of the reminder, proud of him, though he couldn’t shake the helplessness in his outstretched arm, the silence over word of his mother’s disappearance.

  “Yeah, it’s just…It’s just harder to tell what he’s thinkin’…” He paused, not even sure himself of why he was suddenly revealing so much. Handwaving it away, he laughed at himself,”Look at me… tryna get you to solve my problems… Rather be helpless and learn…” He said remembering everything before. Louise, wanting to help, nodded, respecting his decision. “I’m glad… You still work well, Rey… With or without her, I’m happy you are who you are… I know I might’ve said some things before, a-and I can talk a lot… like a lot… But I really looked up to you two… Still do…”

  Surprised he raised an eyebrow,”Me and Ave? For reals!?” She nodded,”You two just… Knew. You knew where you were headed even when you weren’t sure where to go.” He scratched his head,”That’s a total contradiction! I never knew anythin’ at all, to be honest! Ave was the one who was leadin’ me…” He said, his voice softening. “Really?! But… She seemed so upset when you weren’t around… Lost.” He paused, deep down knowing, but hating it to be acknowledged. “Either way… There’s nothin’ to look up to. If you wanna know where to go even after you lose your wings, start with doin’ somethin’ a little bold! I find that a change of pace can be great for introspection and such… But in the end.” He put a hand on her shoulder, she looked deeply into his eyes. “Trust yourself.” She smiled, relieved to hear such a simple answer. “Y’know… you could totally- I mean… You should absolutely tell your son that. He-” “Ah! Dang it Louise! I was gonna find that out myself with some introspection!” Quickly she covered her mouth,” Gah! Sorry, I just don’t know when to flap my gums!” The two stared at each other for a few moments before chuckling at themselves,”I guess I’ll always need a lil hand holdin’!” “And I guess I’ll always be a little chatty… Oh well, at least we’re trying, right?”

  —

  Kanoa stared ahead blankly, holding one girl and one boy in his left and right hands. He walked quietly into the orange cave house they’d carve, a considerable distance from the space dug out within the much larger space surrounding them. The neighborhood which they now occupied was quiet, more barren, with the exception of the large streams of water and the occasional mole running by. Upon unlocking the front door to their home, Sammy and Jessy both took off their shoes. Looking at them, they both had looked much lengthier, both of them resembling Avery and Rey in their own ways, though the large curly afro obscuring Jessy’s view, and the slightly graying hair of Sammy remained. Now older Kanoa would less often play with them, but instead educate them while Rey had been off working, or with friends. But unlike before, this was completely voluntary without any stakes. As the two were ready to race upstairs, Kanoa grabbed them both, halting them in their tracks. “What!? What!?” Jessy moaned, as Sammy frowned as well.

  “We have the talk about… The rules again.” They both groaned, Jessy screaming. Kanoa closed her jaw. “This is serious. You know what happens to dad if you don’t follow the rules… Think about dad, okay? Please?” Begrudgingly, they both nodded along. Retreating from their shorter staircase, they sat in their one sofa, both facing Kanoa. “Number one… You both aren’t toddlers anymore. You’re both eight. Next year you’ll be given some new jobs… No more odd jobs.” They nodded, as they’ve been told this numerous times. “That also means, like dad did, you’ll one day have to work in the mines, sweat, or contribute to some other experiment dependin’ on how you turn out… It’s for the greater good, without that stuff, we wouldn’t be here, now would we?” She shook their heads, bored out of their minds. “Good. Now before you play, read, or do whatever it is you were about to do, I want you to stop askin’ for mom to dad. They both looked at Kanoa, now giving him the same seriousness he’d held their entire talk. “But Noa you-” “Kanoa. My name is Kanoa.” Sammy frowned at the correction, refusing to call him something so plain,”You never talk about mom! What all that stuff was up there- and why she lied to us! It’s not fair!” Jessy sat in silence. “Jessy, say something! You always talk about it, you’re sad too! I know you are!” Jessy held her head,”Mom… Was bad… Right?” Kanoa paused, not even sure himself. “...She was tryin’ to help us out, but her ways… were wrong.” “So then… If she’s not a bad guy, why do we gotta stop talkin’ about her to dad…?”

  He frowned, obviously not getting through to them,”Because it makes him sad. Dad doesn’t need that right now. Not ever… We’re lucky he’s as strong as he is, after all the terrible stuff these past three years…That’s why we need to help him, we can’t keep bringin’ up the past and hurtin’ him…” They both paused, understanding, but unlike Kanoa, holding a deep fear of secrets. “Last time we held something back… We all got hurt.” “And dad couldn’t move for a week…” Kanoa’s head lowered, remembering the short lived telepathic communication they had through his own brain's electricity and his fathers. “Right but… That was different. Mom was holding things back, planning things. I’m not. This is… Think of it as workin’ together in silence.” The two looked at each other, not buying it. “If we don’t work together for real, nothing’ll change Noa…” Jessy said, with a frown. Kanoa then raised his voice,”I’m your big brother. I know how these things work, and I know what I’m talkin’ about. If you wanna talk. Talk to me. Leave dad outta it.” They both flinched, Sammy averted his gaze, whereas Jessy couldn’t help but keep her eyes on Kanoa, still frowning.

  “You sound like mom.” “I-” Kanoa paused, his chest bursting with the fear of how he’s being perceived, the sheer apathy he held to seeing their scared faces, and yet, the inevitable loneliness he feared would reach his own siblings as it did so long ago. “You’re…. You’re right… I… Let’s talk about this later… Just please… Hold off on talkin’ to dad about mom, alright?” They both nodded. Kanoa walked away, in the direction of his room, though Jessy called out to him,”I said you sound like mom, not that you are!” She corrected in the sassy tone she’d occasionally wear. Kanoa turned to her, the look on her face saying “I’m sorry”. He smiled. “Yeah… I know…”

  Downstairs Kanoa laid in his large puffy bed, not even bothering to take off his clothes. He laid there for a few moments, then, something compelled him to search under his pillow… He looked into his palm, the white pill the orange woman known as “Felix” had offered himHe sighed heavily, glancing up at the ceiling. As he did a robed figure with jet black hair, and two ridiculously large triangular shapes of paper sat in his mouth, he yelled,” I shall suck the sadness outta you!!!” He rolled his eyes unimpressed. “I’m not sad…” He said rolling over, Jack descended from the ceiling scoffing. “Oh c'mon, you baby! That was actually good!” “What do you want Jack?” He winced at his bluntness,” What do you think?! I’m here to see how your ol’ dry self is doing. Somebody has too…” Kanoa’s eyes narrowed, hating to be pitied right now. “I’m fine. Just because I’m actin’ different doesn’t mean my whole world has fallen apart. You can go now.” He replied sharply. “D-dang… You don’t have to say it like that…But fine. I’ll go. But I’m coming tomorrow when you recover from all of this sappy junk.” As his bare feet slapped against the wooden floor, readying for take off, Kanoa stopped him. “Wait!” He yelled, jack smiled smugly. “Oh? What now? Lemme guess, you wanna vent out all the stress? Huh? Huh? Go ahead crybaby, give me some tears, actually no, you cry when I’m thirsty.” “N-no…! Just… Why do you keep on sayin’ that?” He tilted his head confusedly. “Saying what?” “That you’ll come tomorrow when I “Recover”, you always think tomorrow will be better, you always say that… It’s like your new thing since you dropped the wings promise.” “Oh yeah… Still waiting on that by the way… But uh, what do you expect me to say? Any day now you’ll go back to your regular self.” “It’s been awhile…” He said looking down. “How can you be so sure? What If I’m just… like this forever?” Jack's playful expression fell away, he sighed at having to get sentimental. He plopped himself next to Kanoa. “Look. Okay? You’re a baby, a stupid flightless baby but you’re not a helpless wuss. You just gotta stop acting like one… It’s the same thing with flying, you get all in your head and you don’t act. But with stuff like cooking, or fermenting your stank cheese, you’re good.”Kanoa stared off into space, processing his words. “Why do I always have to choose…?” “Huh?” Jack inched closer,”Between what?” “A friend… A friend up in the sky, she left me…” Kanoa deliberated, remembering the promise he made with his father not to speak of any of this to anyone. Though it was through the obscured view of her face, combined with the final ultimatum she gave him, Kanoa couldn’t stop the thoughts from piling on.

  “You both want me to fly but… I don’t get it. Didn’t we already learn that flyin’ isn’t the cure?” Even more confused, yet compelled to listen, Jack's face scrunched in confusion. Kanoa continued,”I mean- There are people here who’re taught they’re bad for not flyin’ anymore, even if it’s a part of ‘em that’s… A gift.” He phrased carefully, his mind still filled with the images of the lab.”So flyin’ isn’t even really natural! It’s not somethin’ I have to do-! it’s no big deal if I fly or don’t, I can live my life however I want!” Jack scoffed, immediately flustered from Jack’s reaction and jumped to ask,”What? What I’d say, huh?” “Think you’re all grown up for rebelling huh? Classic edgy teenager thoughts…” Kanoa clenched his teeth, anger boiling up in him, what had he been missing!? He asked himself internally.

  “It’s a rite of passage to fly. Even if this is all just a gift that was never supposed to be.” Tripped up by the certainty in Jack’s words, Kanoa began to grimace, annoyed by him if anything.”But you’re not answerin’ me! Why?! My mom, dad, brother, sister, everybody acts like flyin’ is everythin’, it’s cuz of that that we’re all here… it’s cuz of that that Lorna left me…” Crawling further into his bed, Kanoa held his knees, rocking subtly,”And now… I can’t find her… The one person who got it… who wanted to go somewhere far from everythin’... Gone… Forever.”

  Immediately offended, Jack stood up,”And what the heck am I?! Chopped liver!? I’ve wanted you to do that all this time!” Kanoa stopped breathing, never considering how similar the two had been.”And you’re tellin’ me that this girl told you to fly too? Even though she was the one who “got it?”” Silently, he shook his head,”Then it’s settled, you’re just choosin’ not to understand it! If flyin’ controls your destiny, fate, or whatever, and everybody wants you to do it, you’ve just gotta get off your butt and either do it, or say once and for all that you won’t, make a choice!” “A choice…?” Kanoa paused. He remembered himself and his father, their lack of agency specifically, then Ms Friend, her final words to Kanoa a week before, his certain helplessness and adoption of her beliefs gnawing at him until all he could do was grind his teeth.

  “… I’m… not… I’m not good enough.” His eyebrows furrowed. “H u h?” “I’m not good enough to be a chef! I can’t bake simple things like cakes, I only bake cheese dishes or pasta, and I get nervous when I cook types of meat… I’m not special or exceptional at anthing… so I don’t get it. Why do you have faith in me to be so… amazing!? Why do they!? How can I make a choice if I don’t know anything about myself? I’m so small.” He looked at his soft slender hands, imagining Lorna slightly bigger, calloused hands next to his. Jack stared at him like he was crazy. “Dude, I don’t care if you’re “Amazing” or not. I just wanna hang out and do something. What? You think I hang out with you because I expect the world from you or something?” Kanoa shrugged, not sure of anything anymore.”No! You’re helpless, weak, frail- a gust of wind could blow you away like the feeble pebble you are! You’re so insignificant one wrong step and I have to be careful I don’t squash you!” He laughed at his own jokes, Kanoa kept quiet, holding himself.“Either way..… I don’t need to see something in you, I don’t care… I just…” He held his shoulder, feeling awkward,”I just want someone to fly with… And you’re the only decent one.”

  Surprised to be wanted as he already was, Kanoa stared at Jack bewildered. Flustered and a tad annoyed, Jack looked away,”Ugh, why’re we talking about this anyway? Where’s your head at…?” He ran his fingers through his already wild hair, trying to eliminate the stress. Just then a question popped into kanoa’s head. He took a deep breath, wanting to phrase himself right.“... If someone… Made you- like gave birth to you, just to do something special for everyone- like, they expected something from you from the second you were born… But then you couldn’t do that thing because you weren’t enough… Does that make your life pointless?” Sam struggled internally with the question, being unable to even gauge the actual importance this had towards Kanoa. “.... Do you wanna do it?” He questioned. “I…. I dunno…. I never really thought about it… The goal, I mean.” “Then there. You’re free, hallelujah! You’re the master of your own destiny, the wielder of fates! The great world maker, Kanoa!” He chuckled, putting an arm around him.“I don’t know why you ask such weird pointless stuff, but if you’d just fly, I think you’d really get it… For real.” “Maybe…” Kanoa answered hesitantly, though the answer was enough to bring a sly look of satisfaction to Jack's face.

  “Good, you promised me again!” He patted him on the head. “W-what!?” Kanoa exclaimed, not at all following. “You’re gonna fly! You might not know it, but deep down you want to! You’re just acting all scared!” Kanoa paused, unable to refute that logic, yet also confused by it. Looking at the pillow in which he hid his white pill, he thought back to how desperately he’d search for any sign of his mother after she had left, leaving the four of them completely alone. “Maybe…Or maybe I don’t…” Jack frowned, peeved by Kanoa’s indecision. “But I promised, twice.… So yeah, I’ll fly. Just to try it.” “Heh…” Jack chuckled to himself once more. “Better not flake on me!”

  —-

  Above the surface, at night, the brisk air consumed the loose fitted clothes the long gray curly haired woman had chosen to wear that night. With an ill fitted mask, an injured bird with a broken leg in her hands, she ventured forth towards her home. As she opened the door, the cold air fought into her house, extinguishing every candle.She shut the door, finally revealing her tired face. What used to be her happy home became littered with sand and broken glass and picture frames. Carefully Ave tip-toed through her trashed floor, retrieving a first aid kit from the underside of the kitchen sink. As she disinfected the wound of the unconscious bird, her eyes lingered onto the sink full of dishes. The same dishes she, Sammy, Jessy, Rey and Kanoa had piled the last breakfast they ate together. Although a soap and sponge sat next to the faucet, Ave hadn’t dared to clean any of them, yet she scorned them, trying to look away.

  Scrunching her face, while shaking her head, she forced her attention to the bird. “It’s okay… we’re going to be okay… I’m sorry I scared you.” She pet the bird, not sure why she wanted to comfort the bird, but something in her heart gnawed at her. “I haven’t been myself as of late. A year alone can do that to you.” Her white pupils pierced through the darkness, coming in and out the more a faint red lifted onto her cheeks and ears. “Murrow’s Brow is completely and utterly destroyed because I lost control of him, she’s abandoned me as well…”An angered undertone cut through her pleasant voice as resentment for Ms Friend invaded every thought in her mind. “Ever since she warned me, I’ve heard nothing. Humans are all the same. They will use you, leave you, and never understand your side of things. What you know is best for them.”

  Cupping the bird's small cheek with her finger, thoughts of Kanoa’s tears, the moment of connection with what appeared to be between Rey and Kanoa both frustrated, and tugged at her heartstrings. “What had I even done wrong? I was protecting them, both of them… They gave me no–” Suddenly she stopped. Pulling away from the bird upon realizing she was applying more pressure than necessary. Looking down at her arm, she gasped as the forearm of what was meant to be her human body was growing into a rectilinear shape, with no specific features, aside from being pure white. “Urk!” She dropped to her knees as her arm was growing much too heavy. “Not again! Go back!” She repeated over and over, thinking of Rey, her family, the whole identity of Ave Jones. Moments later, as she opened her eyes, her arm had returned back to normal. She sighed, tears glossing over her eyes. “Dang it. Rey… I can’t go on like this.” She whispered, slumped against the sink. She stared at the star chart between Jessy and Sammy, Sammy of course had more points. “How are you two…?” Her voice quivered, both out of fear and sadness. Clearing her throat, and suppressing the tears she stood up, petting her bird for comfort.

  “I have no way of returning to society but we are fine.” She affirmed, nodding her head along with her own words. As silence returned, she checked with her pinky for the bird's pulse. “Faint… Oh for the love of phoenix!” Quickly she opened the refrigerator, in search of a square, preferably black container to place the bird inside. “Don’t you leave me too…!” As she struggled in search of any container,, a familiar voice beckoned to her.

  “Dang. it’s real messy in here! Your neighbors must’ve totally pillaged you guys!” She jumped, her white eyes ready to petrify anything in sight, only to find yet again, Felix. “Y-y-you you’re not meant to- You flew back home-! You betrayed the plan for yourself, you-!” Just as Ave was preparing to break into a blind rage, Ave was quickly shushed,” Shut up a sec. Leader…Or, Ave.” She rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly, cringing at acknowledging her name.”I didn't come back here to cause any trouble. I’m not working against you, understand?” She stepped forward, her white eyes urging Felix to stay in place.” What right do you have to say any of that?! After everything you expect me to-!?

  “Ms. Friend is gone.” Ave stopped dead in her tracks,”gone- what do you-” “I said shut up!” With one swift throw, Ave much like Felix stood, completely entranced by the others power. The only difference being, Ave was smiling and giggling goofily, whereas Felix kept a stern look on her face. “... I really thought I was the one on the right, Ave. About everything.” She shook her head, running her fingers through her hair. “About this world, where we belonged, Avery. I never got why you loved him. Why I liked him. Not really. Everything was to get back home faster. To leave this costume he forced us to put on.”

  The more weathered her voice grew, the more Ave’s laughing began to die down.”But as I hitched a ride on little miss blue girl… I saw those stars, and embraced the road we took to get here all that time ago… When we made it back home, it was just…” Struggling to put it into words, or let alone express what was in her heart, Felix gave a big grin, expecting it to soften the end of her sentence,”So pointless! Day in, day out- I-it was like I totally forgot everything it all happened so fast! The people there weren’t anything, just shapes, colors, things repeating the inflection of our voices. They hurt each other, killed each other without even noticing or caring. It just wasn’t- I don’t know!” Keeping up her cheeriness she began to laugh. “You should’ve seen her face. My face! You know what this means? We’re… all alone.” Her lips closed, a tight lipped smile pervaded her face. “We don’t fit in anywhere… Too human, too… much.” At the mentions of emotions, she then started to frown, disappointed in herself. “I wouldn’t have minded a real battle royal with the humans over what we saw… Their blood, My blood, Their guts, my guts… It wouldn’t have mattered. At least I wouldn’t have to know it was like that…”

  Stolen story; please report.

  The grin on Ave’s face ceased. For the first time, internalizing the genuine repulsion on Felix’s face, she felt repulsed. Although not remembered, those feelings of home resonated with her. “I… I love him because of that place… There was no one like him for me.” “Was?” “Obviously.” Ave said, her frustration clear. Slowly, Felix shook her head. “… There was no one else like them either.” Felix shook her head, Ave remained silent reminiscing on Connie and Harris’s faces, though struggled to picture them clearly. “... After that, Bluie left. said she was going to find it.” “It?” “The Phoenix. They really did have the idea on there too, so Connie wasn’t Delulu on that one. She said she was going to find that Phoenix, strike a deal with it, then make that world the way it “should” be. After that, she said she'll come back here and “fix” the humans next. Whatever that means” A light rose in both of their eyes. “Ambitious.” “Really.” In agreement, the chiming in of a singing bird joined into the conversation, a bit frazzled yet relieved Ave approached the darkness,”Dennis!” She picked up the bird holding it to her chest. “Thank the Phoenix…!”

  Staring intently at her nurturing side, Felix remarked. “You miss him, don’t you?” Ave looked away from her, trying to hold herself together. “Well anyway… I just came here to tell you that if you want, you could-should go back to your family. We don’t have to worry about Ms Friend, or our plans to take over the world anymore.” She affirmed, though Felix herself looked anything but relieved by the deviation in plans, along with Ave. “What do you mean she’s gone?” “When Bluie launched me back to Earth's orbit I assumed Ms Friend would be carrying out the plan she promised. To use the boy when he was at his most vulnerable with…” From the back of her pants pocket, she withdrew a familiar looking black rod, Ave flinched. “One of these, but way more effective… Since your boy is a never ending cesspool of energy, she altered one of these to suck all the energy out of him, use the rest of the pills and their memories to coerce him into flying, and then the world would be ours.”

  “I remember that too…” Ave grimaced, a bit disgusted by the imagery. “Yeah, well when I did land, went back to the sewers to reconvene or whatever she left me a note.” Extracting the note from her pocket, she curtly moved into the darkness with Ave, kicking the broken glass and dirt from her shoes into the kitchen, forcing the note onto her. “Just don’t read it while I’m here. Save it for later.” Confused, but understanding the seriousness in her tone, Ave nodded, taking the note. “The only thing you do need to get, is that after I read that note, I saw her, in the sky, flying.” “Flying…?” Ave asked, taken aback by the implications. Coincidently, the bird in her hands flew away from her, retreating out of the darkness, and landing on the chandelier over the dining table. “Don’t be ridiculous, you must have mistaken it for-” “I know what I saw!” She cried, stomping her foot, her long lock peered from under her hood, obscuring her face. “But those weren’t any wings, no-! It was the most stupid, obnoxious, loud, big thing I’ve ever seen, and she just sat there as it took off!” she stopped, catching her breath, Ave stared in horror at the genuine rage in Felix, a tone she had never been on the receiving end of so intensely. “Don’t you get it? The plan wasn’t to shape the world, it was to let her fly for herself!” Ave shook her head,”No-no! We agreed- what benefit would that have for her!?” “Does it matter?! It’s what happened!”

  Taking a few deep breaths to collect herself, Ave desperately rationed aloud,”We agreed… We agreed I would raise him, she would watch over him and observe his health, to take back the world and let everyone fly… She had to have done that because I couldn’t control him, it had to be-""There was more than enough time to use the rod and control him! When you were holding him, I was there for a bit- There’s no excuse, she played us all! Twelve, twelve! I should’ve known- Idiot!” Felix let out a roar, Deniis frightened quickly flocked away into the living room. Though in his foot he held part of the chandelier, accidentally unlatching part of it, causing the entire mass of glass to fall onto the table, shattering and sending shards everywhere upon impact. “She always… always went on about space more than she did the people…”

  Devastated Ave fell to her knees holding her face. “Y-you mean I was… She was… They saw me for nothing…!” Not understanding her terminology, yet feeling bad as she watched who used to be her leader crumble in front of her, Felix knelt to Ave’s level. “That’s why you should go… Go be with them at this point. There’s nowhere else we can go…”

  Felix and Ave sat for a while, comforting each other. The years they had worked on their plan, had their doubts on the others character both fueled their anger and despair, yet brought some sense of levity that it was finally over. Felix eventually lifted herself from the ground, a tired look spread across her face. “W-where are you going?” “I’m staying up here for awhile. It’s funny I hate the quiet but… I hate noise even more now… No more chaos, I just wanna be by myself.” “I understand…” Ave responded in a hushed voice. Standing up with her, Ave found the resolve to do something she had never felt compelled to do with Felix. Impulsively, she drew her small stature towards her chest, hugging her tightly, a bit flustered and upset to be treated as if one of her children, Felix, fought back trying to pull her off. “Urgh!” Though the warmth of the hug won out. Felix hugged back, Ave whispered to her,”Thank you for telling me this… Despite it all, I’m glad it was you who is still here…”

  As they separated, Felix headed towards the door, Dennis landing on Ave’s shoulder. Before she left, she remarked one more thing. “One more thing.” expelling a few orange balls from her mouth, Felix then threw them towards Ave. When you go back down there, take one of these if you need a laugh… And don’t ditch the white. It suits you more.” Ave nodded, smiling a bit, then she left. Slumping onto her family sized couch, she pet Dennis, staring up on the ceiling, recounting her entire life up until this point, feeling ashamed. It was until in his small beak, Dennis retrieved the piece of paper Felix had given her. Forcing herself up, and walking towards the window sill to read it, did she gasp. “So, It- It wasn’t-!”

  As the family gathered for dinner that night each of them partook in a helping of pasta and pork. Kanoa playing with his food, Rey immediately noticed. “So… old Jacky boy alright up there with all the dust clouds and stuff…?” He asked, genuinely curious. “No. He’s fine. He held his breath all the way up.” “But his lungs’ll pop like balloons in space!” He said, chuckling at the dark image in his head, though Kanoa didn’t laugh. He simply ate in silence. Sammy and Jessy spoke amongst themselves briefly but the mood remained quiet overall. That is until, from the basement, the old man, but also father of Rey emerged from the basement, covered in clay dust. Sammy and Jessy cheered,”Grandpa Georgie!!!” “Dad, cmere and eat! I made pasta!” He walked over quietly with a big grin on his face, looking much plumper than before. He hugged his son, patting on the back heartily”Thanks Reyrey. ‘Preciate it.” Immediately he began chowing down, discussing in depth the details of some clay models he had planned to display. As he got into the nitty gritty of how clay sculpturing worked, he received plenty of engagement and suggestions of what to do next, yet little understanding of how the process worked in reality, though he didn’t mind. Noticing Kanoa’s quietness, he called to him,“Any ideas,Noa noa?” He asked, some pasta sauce on his face. “No… I think I’m done. I’m going to bed early. Thank you for dinner. Night.” He pulled his chair back, walking up the stairs prudently. “What am I gonna do with that one…” He asked, holding his head while shaking it. His father placed a hand on his shoulder. He leaned in close, careful Sammy and Jessy wouldn’t ease off on their conversation.“Let the boy see his mother Reyrey… Even for a while. They need to talk.” Rey’s eyes widened, he whispered back,”I can’t do that Dad! After everything she put him through, he shouldn’t have to handle that… I don’t even think he would want to.”

  “... Take my advice to heart. Never let your better judgement assume the better judgement others operate under. You’ll never know until you ask.” With those words to reflect on, Rey stared off into space for a few moments, recollecting the anger on Kanoa’s face.“Was that even the right thing…?” He slicked back his hair, shaking his head. The room grew heavier between the two. “... I never saw my mom after that day… Remember when me and her found each other again, said we were gettin’ married the month after we met…?”He shook his head,”We already didn’t trust her. The whole Classy Cleetus meeting seemed odd, especially when it was a whole different girl you were tellin’ us about… it was intuition I’d say. Even though the two are worlds apart, know this. Noa Noa’s a mama's boy and a daddy's boy. No matter how much he might try to hide it, he’s dyin’ from a lack of resolution.” He nodded. Remembering how badly he wished to see his mother, even now. “We are a lot alike aren’t we…? But… There’s something else that’s buggin’ him too… I know it…Alright. I know what to do.”

  Later that night, Rey forced himself out of bed, putting on a thick black coat along with some boots, goggles and a helmet with a flashlight, Walking out the front of the house, he anticipated the journey upwards to be treacherous, though at the front of his door, he stood mesmerized. “Y-you look… Ave?”

  The next day, Kanoa changed into his gray construction shirt and pants. He sluggishly walked down the stairs, rubbing his eyes, only to spot a familiarly chestnut gray haired woman and his father sitting across from each other.“Hey. Mornin’ kiddo.” Rey smiled, whereas Ave sat apathetic, cold as ice. “We’ve been waitin’ up for you! Take a seat, we wanna talk!” His eyes focused on his mothers still far gaze, he felt frustration in the thought of accepting, yet sadness in retreating to work. “...” Silently, he sat in the chair facing Ave and Rey. “Alright… The whole gang is back together… Ave, mind tellin’ Kanoa whatcha told me before we get into this?” She leaned forward, her hands intertwined, her gaze fixed, she opened her mouth calmly,”Kanoa….” “...Yes?” “...Kanoa….””Yes….?” “Kanoa, Kanoa, Kanoa, Kanoa! I am sooooo DUMB! And Sorrrry- so sorrry…. Sorry. sorry for everything I have done. This family was just not enough for me, and I have been projecting my need to be special onto this family! Yep! I am Sorry! SORRY!.” Ave stood up, slamming her head onto the table. Her loud voice and temperament completely played at odds with her entire demeanor. Rey and Kanoa, backed away from her, terrified, “W-what the!? Ave!? What’s goin’ with you!?” Lifting her head, Ave gave a big smile,”Nothing! It’s just this new approach I’m trying- This new medicine from a good pal of mine!” Letting out her hand, she showed one of Felix’s orange balls. Kanoa scoffed, both amazed, yet disappointed she would have to go so far just to apologize, though a large majority of himself felt happy at the humorous sight though, reminiscent of something. “That’s from the orange girl I remember seein’ it on the battlefield… Why’d you come here with that?!” Smiling at Kanoa’s insistence, she simply responded,”Because I’m a real stinker! And I’m sorry to all of you! I just want Kanoa to be alright…!” Kanoa scoffed at the ridiculous explanation, half wanting to forgive her, another wary of any momentary hope, yet another part still wondering of her intentions. Before Kanoa could continue any farther, Rey’s arm halted him,

  ”Hold up Noa… I think I know who this is… Felix, right? My… old friend.” he said uncomfortably given their history, yet still meaning it. She smiled. “You blockhead!” she said sticking out her tongue. “Yeah, that’s her power alright. It’s like your moms, but it makes people act real silly! Brings out peoples hidden impulses… But Ave, why now? Why with that ability?” “Dad!” he interrupted, “What even is this? She… She hurt you, and now you’re gonna let mom come in here like this is some intervention” He asked his father clearly upset “That’s because it is an intervention, Noa. We all still care about each other, and miss how things were, don’t we?” Immediately Kanoa shook his head. “You think I miss not bein’ taken seriously? Bein’ judged?” “Noa, no one is judgin’ you… And I think you’re oversellin’ your mom… She has plenty of flaws, but she’s no monster. Just… Very possessive, with uh… Manipulative tendencies. But she didn’t see that, to her it’s keepin’ us safe, thinkin’ for us.” Kanoa looked to his father worriedly,still wanting to resist his words,”You don’t have to look out for me like she did Noa. I’m an adult. I can think, and act on my own… Now.” He turned to her.”Like I asked, why Ave?”

  “I totally meant what I said about being sorry! For reals! I swear my family name on it! But I learned a real horrible truth… I can’t live with it, I wanna die! WEEEE!!!” She jumped on the floor, giggling. “What’s that?” She gave an exaggerated frown, tears flowing from her face,”Kanoa consumed them! He has them all swirling inside of him, I promise!”

  Every part of him, excluding who he was at his core, forced him to answer,”Yes.” Surprised Rey stepped back,”What… What do you mean…?” Afraid to expose himself, Ave carelessly did it for him. “The pills! It’s the souls of peeps squashed into lil’ tiny capsules! Kanoa ingested them and now he has all those hearts swirllin’ in him, changin’ him!” “Quiet!” He hissed at his mom, Rey intervened,”Kanoa, relax, that’s still your mother!” He said, narrowing his eyes. Quickly Kanoa apologized, letting his head down, praying to the Phoenix for strength. Rey stroked his beard stubble perplexed,”Is that why you’ve been actin’ all different…?” Hating to answer honestly, his body did the talking for him, he nodded along. “I’ve destroyed Kanoa, forever! I kept this all up for so long cuz I thought it’d be good for you- I made you ingest people I knew, I-I wasted everything… hurt my life, this family…”

  She started to weep, Rey looked at her, stirring with empathy, yet restraining himself. “Ave. I don’t know any of these works… Or what’s goin’ on in Kanoa’s head now, but you don’t just get to put this all on us, and keep yourself like this to dull the pain!” He affirmed to her. “I’m bein’ funny like Noa- Noanoanoa- Noa-” Rey firmly took the ball out of her hand, dashing it onto the floor. “Look at us. You obviously care, I’ve never doubted that, but we need to see you. Not some version…” The moment the ball left her hand, was the moment her flighty voice vanished and her surge of pain returned. Her tired eyes, chapped lips, and saddened eyes were made apparent. With their eyes on her, fearing their judgement, she panicked internally, Ms. Friend's voice beckoning her to hide, still believing herself to be her partner in crime, the one who was at fault, the one who would inevitably lose the family she yearned for. Ave pointed to herself under the facade of earnesty

  ”I-I have been the only one in this family trying to make life better for all of us. It wasn’t perfect, but I tried! The disappointment of those kids who learn they’ll one day lose their wings? The couples who separate because they have no connections and slave away as workers in that… boot camp!? I wanted to live away from that world, and you will too- you should! Am I wrong!?” Kanoa stared at her speechless, never before seeing so much passion and unfiltered anger coming from her. “Hello??? Am I?!”” She yelled, he flinched, the picture of the three of them and who they used to be to now bringing a frown to his face. “You’re wrong…” He said, shaking his head.

  “I never wanted that- I never would! All I ever wanted was to make you happy, but it was never enough for you! You got so tired of me I thought it was a big enough goal… I wanted to make you happy so bad.”

  “Noa… We were always happy with you… Even when we said you couldn’t be a chef, we never- ""That’s not what I mean!” He said, standing alongside them, stomping his foot. “Every joke I made, every time I took care of Jessy or Sammy, and every time I listened to one of your nagging sessions, I wanted- needed you to see me as just your kid… But your eyes… You’re always looking past me, at who I will be…”

  Slowly, Rey shook his head in agreement. “Yeah… Yeah Noa, you’ve got a point… I did notice that… couldn’t say it before, but I saw it too. Noa, I won’t speak for your mother, but I… I thought that way too… Cuz I just couldn’t see us as anythin’ alike.” Kanoa turned to his father slightly astonished, he choked at the attention, feeling partial regret over his word choice. “You were just- You are so… cool. You’re always talkin’ to some forest critter, you were well spoken in Church, you’re not shy, no slouch in the kitchen, and you… You’re a good brother- a better friend… Better than I ever was. I was scared I would ruin some parts of you by lettin’ you be a chef or… Anythin’ else except someone who could fly and be up there- that’s where I felt you belonged…Sometimes I still feel that way…” Kanoa winced, hurt by the confession, Ave scoffed.

  “See? I’m not blind. That’s why I tried so hard, and you’ll want it too, you're just too young, that’s why—!” “But like I said, I don’t care about what I think! I care about what you want!” Rey interrupted, drawing closer to Kanoa. “When I was all lost- scared of where you were, I realized didn’t know anythin’ what you were really goin’ through. You’re amazin’ to me, but I didn’t get to see how much pain you were in… Remember what I told you about your mom and me…? How we met? How she strung me along?” She looked away, towards Rey’s plants and paintings, then their family pictures, focusing on something to brace herself from the incoming demolition of her character.

  “Well… Even now, I still thank her for what she did- I still love ‘er.” Both of them turned to him, astonished he could say something so selfish. “So many people got hurt because of me- Like you when you’re havin’ nightmares about your own kind, regrettin’ choices… I’m only able to help you now- I was only able to stop you cuz she didn’t let me give up, for better or worse…” He walked further to kanoa, grabbing him by the shoulders.

  “As tired as I am of people tellin’ me whats best for my future or which road I should go down next- As much as I regret my lack of any real choices til now… I’m happy I’m your father. I’m happy your mother brought us here together to love and hold you… It took so much to get here- and there were a lotta promises of a better world, and flight forever but… Kanoa, you’re just as worth any of that. More than that… You don’t owe anythin’ to anybody, you hear me?” He said, shaking him.

  “You’re a person… A kid who lives in this world- your feelings right now matter, your choices, no matter how bad you screw up or regret matter… Even if you start gettin’ acne and you change like crazy, I don’t think any part of you is any less valuable for bein’ young…” As Rey went on, tears fell from Kanoa’s cheeks, though this time out of all of the fear, pain or sadness he felt along the way, he felt a weight ascend from his chest, allowing him to take a breath. Rey hugged him tightly, whereas Ave stood in the background in awe of the scene in front of her. She felt conflicted, whether to hug or deny the display, but as her wandering eyes focused on the three of them and a young Kanoa- then a black and white photo of an even younger Kanoa, a knot in her head began to unravel. She stood shell shocked.

  “Please. I have nowhere else to go.” The younger Ave claimed, her clothes still the raggedy lab uniforms she’d been forced to wear. Ms. Friend holding a baby in her arms while sitting on the couch of her home rocked the young Kanoa, unamused by her endless pleas.“I only have enough for myself and my child… Now go…” Ave hissed at her,”You’re not telling the truth, I can see it! It was the three of you, you, your husband and a child, your husband is gone now, so please-""Enough.” She snapped back, her voice raising for the first time. “Leave… Now.” Ave stood, her body compelled to as the emptiness in Ms Friends eyes scared her. It was of a pain she was not accustomed to. A pain not dissimilar to when she left Rey for long periods of times, but genuinely heartbreaking. Backing away, the baby squealed, the rocking continued further, Ms Friend searched around her closer vicinity for a bottle, blanket or diaper of some kind, though still not sure of what to provide. “Please. Kanoa. Tell me what's wrong, does it hurt…?!” She said, her voice waning, the dark circles around her eyelids bringing pity to Ave. Though with one look into the child's eyes, she nodded in compliance. “He’s fussy. He wants to play a game.” Ms Friend side eyed her, still waiting for her departure. “Let’s make a promise. If I can help you with your child, I can stay with you until Rey becomes a proper adult. It should only be for a year, and I can hear his voice.” She raised her eyebrow. “So you can? Like you can hear… everyone's voices. When he grows even older, can you still keep track of his mind?” She shook her head. “Of course, especially when he grows older. Person experience and what I see in him will make it very easy.” Ms Friend nodded, then paused altogether. She paused, staring into her own baby's eyes, his fussing eyes torturing her, the responsibilities of motherhood weighing on her. She frowned, handing him to her. “Hold him.” She said, her tone flat yet judging.Reaching out to him, Ave couldn’t help but hold her breath. The weight of the child was nothing too hefty for her, although as she held his underarms, taking in the waft of his scent, analyzing his pitch black eyes, and the playful curls the tips of his hair were in, she couldn’t help but smile, he smiled alongside her, babbling. Instinctively she raised him up and down, then up then down, Kanoa laughed incessantly, drool slobbering down, her smile grew larger. They continued for a few more moments, their fun evident, but Ave refused to let him fly into the air, she refused to let go of him. Putting his head on her shoulder she smiled, rubbing his back. Ms Friend smiled as well, though the blankness in her eyes stayed. She paused.

  “... You’re hired.” She said tiredly. “But…” she handed her a black case to observe. “Soon… you will help him take his medicine… To one day save our world.”

  The memory she’d forgotten brought some levity, recontextualizing Rey’s words entirely. Approaching the pair. She knelt to Kanoa’s level, hugging him as well. More tears came. She whispered to him. “You don’t have to be the best. But I can’t have you never going a day without flying, Kanoa…” she said softly, yet her firmness stayed.“What…?” The three separated from each other, she elaborated,”Fly. I want you to fly, Kanoa.” “But I can’t… I never…” Silently, Ave pushed the note into Kanoa’s chest. “There are people on the other side of this world waiting for you, people who have something to tell you…” Staring at the note confusingly, Rey interrupted,”You can do anything- It’s like what Ms Friend told you. Your wings are always poking out, ready to come out… All you need to do is fly… Sides, haven’t you been waitin’ to find that friend again?” He smiled, Kanoa thought back to Lorna, nodding. “Then go. Let’s try- today you should fly. When you do, I want you to tell me exactly what it feels like- I want you to enjoy yourself, even when you’re in space…”

  “But why?! Even after everything, why do I have to fly? Flying drives everybody crazy, it hurts people! I hurt her…” Ave grabbed his cheek.“Kanoa…. Noa… People hold onto hope so tightly, they get blinded…like me… I hold onto hope like that- your father has and it hurts others too… But you’re not us… Fly. Let the wind hit your face- get lost, help that girl…” Rey intervened quickly. “Help yourself too… I never soared too high. But when I did, it was worth the view… Cmon…”He extended his hand, Kanoa took it, following the pair to the balcony. As they reached the balcony, staring at the cleared landing, They each stared at one another, smiling. Both of them backed away from Kanoa.

  “C-come on Noa! You’ve got this, fly!” His father called out familiarly, though this time with a genuine belief rather than a weighing anxiety. Konoa stared at both of his parents' supportive eyes. Whether he jumped or not wouldn’t matter- at least not nearly as much as before, he sensed intuitively. There was no real reason for him to jump. He was fine with who he was, they understood that now. “Well don’t just stand there!” His grandfather George called out, both of his grandchildren on his side, they chanted!“Jump! Jump! Like their parents, both mirrored their supportive, now high strung eyes. With so many eyes upon him, he was no longer allowed to mess up or make any excuses. His parents needed- no, believed to see him fly. Just as his siblings and grandfather believed in him to fly.

  “...” Before he flew, he opened the crinkled note his mother had given him, it read,

  “The world can bend to you. Find the Phoenix.”

  Although the word made him recall the first step of these weird chain of events, he remembered how that word- to bend, to become like the Phoenix had always urged him into action. He clutched onto the note, holding it up into the air, showing to everything and everyone that there was still hope, even if buried underground. “C’mon…!” At first walking, then jogging, then running,he took the decisive leap, before shooting a smile to his parents.He hurdled downwards, the cold air rushing into his clothes, his smile remained, as before he hit the ground, a sharp and large pair of red wings sprang from his back. “HAHAHA! ANYDAY NOW! WHAT’D I SAY?!” Jack flew next to his twirling through the air with his black wings smiling. A red light flickered in the distance.

  He held his hand up into the air lining up the shot perfectly, and before the usual dread and anxiety overtook him his pride had shielded him, he flew straight towards it, slinging himself and Jack towards space.