Wolves of the new dawn

Like a bird

*Torren*

I watch Raylee as she processes my words, her brow furrowing in confusion. I can see the wheels turning in her mind, and I can’t help but admire her.

She’s brave, stronger than she realizes. But the world has not been kind to her, she has had to live a life she didn’t want, to make her situation better and the last thing I want to do is overwhelm her with the reality of what’s out there. She has already had to accept a lot, like werewolves.

“Flew?” she echoes, her tone laced with disbelief. Her eyes widen as if the very concept of flight is foreign to her. “Like a bird?”

I chuckle softly, trying to lighten the mood. “Sort of, but not exactly like a bird.” I can feel the weight of the truth pressing down on me, the need to safeguard her from the harsh realities of the world. “I mean… it’s a bit more complicated than that.”

She tilts her head, her dark hair falling over her shoulder, and I can see a flicker of curiosity igniting in her eyes. “Complicated how?”

“Well as you see I do not have wings, and I did not flap my arms,” I take a breath, choosing my words carefully. “Imagine a great metal bird, much larger than any bird you’ve ever seen. It has wings, but instead of feathers, it’s made of… well, metal. This bird carries people across the sky, from one land to another.”

Her expression shifts from confusion to a mix of fascination and skepticism. “A metal bird? Like a sort of machine?”

“Yes! Exactly,” I say, encouraged by her understanding. “It’s called an airplane. It flies high up in the sky, where the air is thin, and it can take you over oceans and mountains in just a few hours. It’s quite remarkable, really.”

Raylee leans forward, her interest piqued. “But how does it stay in the air? And how do you control it?”

I can see the excitement bubbling within her, and I’m reminded of how little she knows about the world I come from. “Well, airplanes have engines that generate thrust and wings that create lift. When they go fast enough, they can rise into the air. Pilots control the plane using instruments, like a driver controls a car.”

“Interesting,” she replies, her fingers brushing against the soft quilt on the bed, lost in thought. “But how did you even find one of these… airplanes? Did you just walk to it? Are they common in… England?”

I hesitate, aware of the delicate line I’m walking. “It’s a long story,” I say, smiling softly to ease her curiosity. “There are places beyond the city… beyond this land… where people still know how to build and operate them. Some of those places are not that far from here. They’re hidden, but they exist.”

Raylee’s eyes widen in wonder. “So there are people who knows how to fly? And they let you?” Her voice is a mixture of disbelief and awe, and I can’t help but feel a sense of pride for having broken free from the confines of my past.

“Yes, they do,” I confirm, my heart swelling at the thought of the adventures I’ve had. “I was fortunate to find a group of… explorers, you could say. They travel the world, looking for lost knowledge and rebuilding what was once broken. They taught me how to fly, to navigate the skies.”

“Explorers?” she repeats, her voice a breathy whisper. “Like adventurers?”

“Exactly,” I reply, my enthusiasm bubbling over. “They believe in the possibility of a world beyond what you known. They’ve seen things that people here have only ever dreamed of. Landscapes untouched by time, cultures thriving in ways we can’t even imagine.”

She leans back, her gaze drifting to the window, where the sunlight casts a warm glow across the room. “And you’ve seen these places?”

“Yes, I have… some of them,” I say, my mind drifting back to those vast, rolling hills and bustling markets filled with laughter and life. “I’ve flown over mountains that touch the clouds and crossed oceans that sparkle like jewels. I’ve tasted foods you can’t even begin to imagine and met people with stories that would take your breath away.”

Raylee’s eyes shine with wonder, and I can see the dreams igniting within her. “Can we go?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper. “Can we see these places together?”

The sincerity in her voice pulls at my heart. I want nothing more than to show her the world beyond this wasteland, to take her to the skies and let her feel the rush of freedom that comes with it. But I know the dangers that lie ahead. The world is unpredictable, filled with challenges that could shatter her newfound hope. And I have something to do here.

“Someday, perhaps,” I say, my voice gentle but firm. “But first, we need to help change things here. One step at a time. We’ll create our own adventures, and when the time is right, we’ll explore the world together.”

Raylee nods, her expression shifting from longing to determination. “I want to learn everything, Torren. About flying, about other lands… about us.”

The weight of her words hits me hard, and I feel a surge of protectiveness. “Then we’ll start here,” I promise, placing my hand over hers, feeling the warmth radiate between us. “We’ll grow together, learn together. I’ll teach you everything I can, and in return, you’ll share your dreams with me. We’ll build our own future, one that’s free from the shadows of the past.”

She smiles, and in that moment, I know we have a real chance. That maybe this barren and ruined part of the World can thrive again.