The Adapters: Wings (Pt 13)

Submitted into Contest #92 in response to: End your story with a truth coming to light.... view prompt

171 comments

Fiction Fantasy

People featured in this story:

Jose as Luke

Bucky as Achlys

Nainika as Nainika

Ethan as Ethan

Ivy as Zoe

Lillian as Lillian (small mention since she's dead)

Celeste as Celeste

I didnโ€™t hear what Luke said next. I was out the door before I could realize, my head pounding, clutching my still not healed wound. I raised my wings to fly, then stopped at the sharp pain, the small bloody stumps rendering useless. I ran through the halls of the tree, ignoring the shouts of surprise, hot tears streaming down my cheeks.

I ran out of the tree, lifting my hands against the blinding sunlight as tall weeds whipped at my face. I ran for a long time, not knowing where I was going, just that I needed to go somewhere.

I tripped over a root, sprawling over the blood-stained grass. A scream escaped my lips, the scent of blood and pollen merging in the air. I scrambled away from the blood, ignoring the bits of silver fur in the grass. Red vines emerged from the ground, wrapping around my limbs.ย 

โ€œLet me go!โ€ I screeched as they pulled me into the soft earth, strangling my throat, cutting off my air supply. Small spiders crawl towards me, their beady red eyes glistening. I struggled against the fatal vines as the spiders crawled over my body. I barely saw a dark figure step in front of me before I lost consciousness.

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I opened my eyes, a groan escaping my lips. An icy blue eye stared at me, the other covered by a black eyepatch. The orange mane around his neck was stained with blood, his dark skin blending in with the dark interior of the cave.ย 

โ€œGet her some water,โ€ demanded the man, his accent thick and foreign.ย 

A small cup was lifted to my lips, and I took small sips, my head heavy and muddled. I almost choked on the water when I recognized the bright green eyes, silky black hair, and thin black tail.

โ€œNainika?โ€ I asked in disbelief. She nodded slightly, setting down the cup.ย 

โ€œWhere am I?โ€ I asked, sitting up against the wall.ย 

โ€œThis is the Predator base,โ€ answered the man. โ€œOf those who have turned against Azazel. I am Achlys, and you know Nainika.โ€

Nainika fiddled with something in her hand, refusing to make eye contact.ย 

I glanced around the cave, noticing several people tending to their wounds. Their bodies were littered with scars from their time with Azazel, their eyes hard and concentrated.

โ€œWhy are you here?โ€ I asked. โ€œInstead of with us?โ€

โ€œBecauseโ€ฆโ€ started Achlys. โ€œWe arenโ€™t on your side. We simply defied Azazel because of his cruel ways, but we are still soldiers, and we do not agree with the government.โ€

โ€œWe donโ€™t either,โ€ I responded.

โ€œThen why do you fight against us?โ€

โ€œBecause thereโ€™s a right and a wrong way to do things.โ€

He sighed, his wavy black hair drooping over his eyepatch. โ€œThen maybe itโ€™s time we learned the right way.โ€

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I laid back in my medical bed, gazing out of the open window. People visited occasionally, but after hearing the news, they mainly left me be. I didnโ€™t mind. I enjoyed the little bit of peace I could have.ย 

Heโ€™s still alive. I struck him at a fatal point and he survived. Ethan walked into the room, and I quickly wiped the tears from my face.

โ€œHow are you doing?โ€ he asked, sitting down in the chair beside me. I grabbed the notebook on the stand, courtesy of Felicity, and scribbled a single word down.

Good

Ethan read the note, then nodded his head. โ€œThatโ€™s good. I talked with Zoe, she said she gave you some medicine to help with the pain.โ€

I nodded, remembering the small pill I was given earlier. I glanced at the bandage on his head, then scribbled some more words on the notebook.

Howโ€™s your head?

โ€œItโ€™s okay,โ€ said Ethan after reading the note. โ€œThe damage is pretty deep, but the metal only got grazed a little bit.โ€

Metal?

โ€œYeah, metal,โ€ said Ethan. โ€œI had an accident before you came here. Apparently people take a particular interest in stabbing me in the head.โ€ He winked, his orange cat ears twitching teasingly. โ€œHad to get a metal plate. Good thing, too. Zoe said the metal plate kept the knife from going to my brain.โ€

My eyes widened in shock. We sat in silence for a few moments before I scribbled something else.

Walk

โ€œ...Harper, you know I canโ€™t let you walk right now. Zoe said to keep you in bed since what happened yesterday. Something about keeping the wound from reopening.โ€

Walk

โ€œYou have to stay here. Donโ€™t worry, Iโ€™ll visit often.โ€

I grabbed him by the collar and pulled him towards me, brushing my lips against his. His golden green eyes widened in surprise as I loosened my grip. โ€œWalk,โ€ I whispered hoarsely.

โ€œYouโ€ฆ you can talk.โ€

I shrugged, letting go of his collar, slightly exasperated that he didnโ€™t even acknowledge the kiss.

He sighed. โ€œFine, but you have to use the wheelchair.โ€

I nodded. Anything to get out of this bed.ย 

He helped me out of the chair and rolled me out of the room, hissing at anyone who tried to talk to me. I smiled and blushed, thinking it was kind of cute.ย 

โ€œWhere do you want to go?โ€ asked Ethan.

Graveyard, I wrote. Ethanโ€™s smile dropped from his face, but he nodded and rolled me outside. I plucked a red rose from a nearby vase on our way out. We stood in front of the graves, names carefully etched on the stone.ย 

Varsha, Lillian, Palak, Treasure, Scarlett, Nina, Draco, and countless other gravestones spread across the green grass, withering flowers at their bases. I pointed to Lillianโ€™s gravestone and Ethan rolled me there. I bent down and carefully placed the intricate red flower, careful not to touch any of the thorns.ย 

โ€œGoodbye,โ€ I whispered as a single tear dripped down my cheek and I promised myself no one else would die for me.

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I found myself in the alcove again, opening and closing my talons while I waited for Luke. I fingered the feather around my neck, pondering about the vines in the field, remembering as their intricate blood-red vines creaped their way up my body.

Were they real? They couldnโ€™t be. I was probably just going crazy.

It sure felt like it.

Just then, Luke walked in, sitting down next to me as he usually did. We sat in silence for a few moments before he spoke up.

โ€œIs it true?โ€ he asked.

โ€œIs what true?โ€

โ€œThat you can restore others body parts.โ€

โ€œI donโ€™t think so,โ€ I admitted. โ€œI meanโ€ฆ Iโ€™ve tried bringing my wings back, but it hasnโ€™t worked.โ€

โ€œCanโ€™t you just transform with new wings? Maybe of a dragonfly or another eagle?โ€

My heart skipped a beat at the simple thought of being able to fly again. It wouldnโ€™t be the same as my old wings, the grey feathers that held so many memories, but it was something.

I rose from the floor, my yellow eyes sparkling with a little hope.ย 

โ€œHelp me take off my bandages, please,โ€ I said. Luke nodded and ripped the bandages off my back, and I spread what was left of my wings out of the hand-made holes on my shirt.

I concentrated on the wings of a dragonfly, and the black tips started to protrude from my back. The thin blue part started to form when a strangled cry emerged from my throat. I immediately fell to my knees, an overwhelming pain flooding my body. It felt like a thousand knives were stabbing my back, constricting my lungs. I tried to breathe, but the pain was too much.ย 

โ€œLuke!โ€ I gasped, blood dripping from my mouth.

โ€œTransform back!โ€ he shouted. โ€œTransform back!โ€

Red spots formed in my vision as the wings shrunk back into my body. A sheen of sweat covered my body as I laid gasping on the floor, the pain subsiding, taking any shred of hope along with it.

โ€œIโ€™m sorry,โ€ said Luke, helping me up. โ€œI didnโ€™t know that would happen.โ€

โ€œItโ€™sโ€ฆ okayโ€ฆโ€ I mumbled, catching my breath. I sat down on the floor again, leaning my head against the wall. โ€œNot trying that again.โ€

He stayed silent for a moment, fidgeting with his silver tail.

โ€œ... have you tried regrowing others body parts? Iโ€™ve heard itโ€™s possible,โ€ said Luke.

โ€œNever tried it, but Iโ€™m willing to,โ€ I responded, wanting to make it up to Celeste for all the suffering I put her through.

โ€œCan you?โ€ he asked. โ€œCeleste has been really down about Palak lately. They had such a good friendship. Maybe getting her wings back could lift her spirits a bit.โ€

I lowered my head. โ€œI donโ€™t want to get her hopes up.โ€

โ€œMaybe getting her hopes up is just what she needs.โ€

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I stood in a small flower field, twiddling a small pansy between my fingers. Celeste walked towards me, her yellow eyes dull and lifeless. Ethan and Zoe walked behind her, exchanged in conversation. Zoe seemed enthusiastic, gesturing with her hands, while Ethan seemed preoccupied.

โ€œCan you really do it?โ€ whispered Celeste, a flicker of blue in her eyes.

โ€œI think so,โ€ I said, dropping the pansy. โ€œZoe?โ€

Zoe continues talking with Ethan, seemingly to not have heard me.

โ€œAhem,โ€ said Ethan. โ€œZoe, focus. Youโ€™re here to help Celeste.โ€

Zoe frowned, stunned by Ethanโ€™s bluntness, but nodded her head. She plucked a white feather from her wings and blew on it, a faint yellow dust floating around it.

Celeste took off her bandages, revealing the torn wings underneath. Zoe brushed the feather against her back, then backed up. I stepped forward, placing a hand on each of her wings. I concentrated on her wings, the thin material translucent in the sun, an absolute flurry of colors attached to her back. A small grey mist emerged from her wings, and I closed my eyes, lifting my hands as the thin material grew. A wave of dizziness overwhelmed me, and I stumbled on my feet, almost falling to the ground if it wasnโ€™t for Ethanโ€™s quick reflexes. I heard Celeste gasp, and I looked up to find her purple and yellow wings fluttering in the sunlight.

May 03, 2021 23:38

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171 comments

Kylee Haverty
20:39 May 04, 2021

OMG I literally jumped up and down and screamed when I saw the next part. (Everyone thought something was wrong with me lol). Ok so Ethan and Harper are adorable together and Zoe seems like she likes Ethan (oooooh some drama there) Harper grew Celesteยดs wings back omg! So cool. Although jeez what happened when she tried to change into dragonfly, she almost just died right there. I just love this series lol.

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Sia S
14:26 May 06, 2021

I know rightttt

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12:35 May 04, 2021

Hi!!!!! ๐Ÿ’–๐Ÿ˜ (this is AntMan btw...)

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17:23 May 04, 2021

Pretty good! Quite rainy around these parts... {once again} How are you? ๐Ÿ˜

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AntMan ๐Ÿœ
17:26 May 04, 2021

Probably going to reply with this account! ๐Ÿ˜…๐Ÿ˜

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lol ok! good, its pretty rainy around here too lol. Had a pretty bad storm last night :/ just finished readin Sia's reedsycast and excited in being yet anoter one lol- shhhh my obsesion with reedsycasts is a mystery lol-

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AntMan ๐Ÿœ
17:34 May 04, 2021

:D Yep, we're getting WAY too much rain! ๐Ÿค” I'm trying to sell it off to other people on Reedsy, but we haven't found a way to transport it! lol Yesss! Reedsy Cast stories are so fun!!! XD lol

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Valerie June
04:12 May 04, 2021

Iโ€™ve been waiting to read the next part for so long, and I wasnโ€™t disappointed! After that *cough*rickroll*cough* you made some frenemies, but I think this part helped bring more of the โ€˜friendโ€™ part back (at least for me.) ;) It was a quiet story with a dash of melancholy and a burst of happiness. So happy that Celeste got her wings back! Love how Harper has been confiding in Luke; I thought that was a nice touch.

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XD lol i decided to be ~merciful~ since that rickroll and give them a happy ending to that part instead of my usual heart-wrenching cliffhangers :) yessssss :) lol I need to go back to my sad stories this is a lil too much happiness for me XD no one even died!

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Valerie June
15:23 May 04, 2021

I didnโ€™t even realize that this was the first time your story WAS -merciful.- XD I saw that my Lukey boyโ€™s been picking up some nicknames: โ€œthe mentally deranged guyโ€ being one of them. I kinda like it though lol. XDDD

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lololool XD yall r used to by sad stories and horrible endings eheheh XD yeah pretty much lolololol. Poor silbing-less boy XD. eeheeehehheheh- dont worry, i have a special plan for him... he might just join his sisters... >:)

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Valerie June
15:41 May 04, 2021

We were all too spoiled with a happy ending in this part. XD Oh, how sweet! That plan seems like something right up your alley lol. He's all in your hands, oof. The way Luke's reacting to the loss of his sisters is actually probably similar to something I'd do. I'd probably go crazy SLOWLY and without showing much emotion to others. Instead, I'd keep it all bottled inside. About how many more parts will there be to this series?

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XD lol i mainly write during school lol id like to think id be the dangerous one who wins, but honestly, id die from falling out of a tree XD or playing with the tracker jackers lololol. I'd never want to kill anyone and i might dedicate myself to protect someoen im closer to or who i want to win knowing i wont win myself. Yes we can still hope. Lol i wish so muchhh. If you could have any power in the world (not saying power of all powers or smth) what would it be? oof rip lol hmm id say rewiind. pause is good for stopping and thinking, ...

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Valerie June
19:43 May 05, 2021

I prefer writing in a notebook so if I wrote during school it would look really suspicious. XD We all think that we'd win the Hunger Games. Honestly, same. I like nature and all, but I would probably have more of a struggle with nature rather than with people. I'd eat something poisonous for all I know! The advantage I have over others: when I'm alone, I wouldn't go crazy. Lol! Some people really need social interaction. I'd want to team up with you, but I don't think I'd be able to kill anyone either. Are you afraid of heights? If not we ...

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XD lolol. i write on gogle doc cuz its so much easier lol- especially when I get hand tremors. probably XD yes ehehehehhehe we would survive better being alone actually oh YESSS a special lil phobia of mine TvT cant stand on top of a chair without getting freaked out lolol. I dont mind fish tooo much, I'd probably just pick a bunch of berries for us- dont blame me if u get poisoned lol- hmm... i have no skill except a lil with a bow and arrow XD my dad plans to teach me how to use a knife so prob that too. hbu? time travel or hydrokinesis...

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Valerie June
21:09 May 05, 2021

We all have strange phobias. I don't know what it's called, but I don't like the feel of seaweed under the water. XD I should get a nature book to learn about poisonous plants and berries. I don't know if I'll trust what you'll give me to eat now....XD I don't have any skills with weapons; never had to use one I guess. I did do archery once. Don't remember much, though. I'd like to be use a bow and arrow as my weapon so at least when I do kill something, it'll be from a distance. With close combat you'd have to FEEL sinking your blade into ...

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XDD lololol eheheheheh yeah true AKJHUXIAUXHJNOA DID YOU JUST CALL ME MLADY AIDJXNNIAUJKC my dream has come true wheres the ring- jkjk lolol shush abi you have a boyfriend you cant be saying that stuff anymore XD same i kinda feel you, like you work hard for it and they take it away for no reason. makes me kinda upset tbh.

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I am so sorry! I told you I'd read your stories but I completely forgot!!!! So here I am. Wah! Love interest... A triangle! So basically Ethan and Harper are together and... Zoe likes Ethan. Wow. I hope this ends well! ANyways. Have a good day and I hope to see another story!!! SOON. Hehe. BYE!!! :)

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Sia S
07:38 May 04, 2021

Bello! Btw, since many peeps want love interests, could you maybe consider Flint having one? Since we got 3 boys and like- 5 girls lol

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sure! but like becasue of the fact that fawn is his whole life, can it be like... after i die, where someone TRIES to real him in and they like him but he doesn't like them because hes too heartbroken or smth- you can change it ofc :)

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Sia S
13:27 May 04, 2021

Thank you! :)

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Sia S
13:49 May 04, 2021

:)

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Sia S
14:04 May 04, 2021

Oh, and um, you said that you'll let me know about my love interests in Adapters... not to be pushy.. but... whats up?

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agh sorry! I havent been featuring you much, and we only have about 3 guy charcetrs and over 12 female ones who want love interests, I'll try to work it in :) planning to have you like Luke.

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Sia S
04:04 May 04, 2021

Yayieeee A NEW PARTTTTT BOOTIFULLLLLLLL CELESTES WINGS ARE BACCCCCCCKKKK Oolallaaaa a lil romanceee I feel like, it's coming to an end?

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Sunny ๐ŸŒผ
00:47 May 04, 2021

YAY! THE BUTTERFLY IS BACK! We finally got a few small victories after all that suffering, yay.

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Lilliane Wei
00:01 May 04, 2021

BUTTERFLY BACK YAYYYYYYYYYY Ehehehe, I manage to sneak into every story, don't I? ;p Anywayyyyyy can't wait to see how this ends, you're really building excitement, Abbie! Happy writing!!

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Beverly Riddle
20:25 May 11, 2021

Hey, just wanted to say that this story is great so far. Also, I saw the Elf Name thing in your bio. Mine would be Macknekcam. My name is Mackenzie, and my nickname is Mack.

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Sia S
14:25 May 06, 2021

Part Two released!

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22:05 May 05, 2021

Wowza dis was good!!!!!! I actually just read Siaโ€™s Reedsy cast before this so it was kinda fun reading a different story with more or less the same characters. 8ms start with random feedback: firstly, love the names Palak and Azazel!! Also...โ€œ I tripped over a root, sprawling over the blood-stained grass. A scream escaped my lips, the scent of blood and pollen merging in the air. I scrambled away from the blood, ignoring the bits of silver fur in the grass. โ€...Yo I love these lines so much!!!!! Anyways, the plot was totally intriguing, but...

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yee tysm! Palak was someone elses chosen name, and Azazel was something i came up with. lololol tysm i rewrote that line over and over XD yesss ty lol- i try XD tysmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!! <3

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SAMANTHA LANGLEY
17:43 May 05, 2021

If you do make a new Reedsy account, send us your linnnnkkkkk!

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01:43 May 05, 2021

Oki sis Iโ€™m adding dis to my to-read list with Siaโ€™s new story!!!!!! If I donโ€™t remember to leave feedback please remind me ahh So hru?

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21:50 May 05, 2021

Np!!! Ahhh good luck!!!!! Aw, good too, thanks. I have to scurry up (not a typo lol) and finish some massive math problems (POLYNOMIALS TIMES POLYNOMIALS PLUS POLYNOMIALS ALL DIVIDED BY POLYNOMIALS?!?! The amount of digits in each question tho...๐Ÿ˜ฉ) before tomorrow, but yea, pretty good. Ty! Soooo...random-questions-to-carry-the-conversation time! For 24 hours you get $1,000 for every person you make cry but you can't physically harm anyone. What do you do?

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XD lolol rip I make myself cry :) not gonna be a prob lol- that was kinda dark XD but yay live a normal life and get money. Or ill use some of my other money to buy gifts or do something special and get happy tears, then give them half for their help lolol. Only if i need money tho, if i dont then i wont bother. Hmm if you had intro music or a theme song for your life, what would it be? And why?

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19:53 May 06, 2021

ahhh indeed btw we checked our class in work and I got all of them wrong~ to be fair, 2 of them I just forgot to simplify and 1 of them was the problem I was talking about it was a completion grade anyways but lol called it Ahhh lol noice! Hmmm. Maybe the song Happier cuz it likes starts happy then gets kinda sad and dark (cough, I cry every time I eat heat it, cough) but then is gets happy again and idk my existence is totally a roller coaster of rainbows and mental breakdowns (#myanxietyhasanxiety) XDDDD Wbu?

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17:53 May 04, 2021

This... sounds like the first episode of a second anime season... Lol, are you planning on a sequel or smthin'?

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