McGregor lifted his tired eyes towards the vast horizon. In the distance, a flock of gray geese traced a large black cloud hanging low in the sky. Loneliness weighed down on him, and he felt ... [+]
The stairwell smelled like bleach and metal. Sharp, sterile, endless. Each step clanged beneath her bare feet, echoing upward into the dark. The sound bounced back to her in strange rhythms like applause. Or laughter.
"Come on, Eve! You're almost there!"
A childish grin formed on her face.
That was Lorelei's voice, always cheerful, always a little bossy. And there was Theo's teasing snort, followed by Mortis' soft humming somewhere behind her. They filled the air with warmth, their shadows stretching and swaying against the gray walls.
Eve giggled. "I'm coming!"
The plastic band on her wrist rubbed against her skin, but she didn't mind. It was ugly and tight, and it didn't even have her favorite color on it. Maybe she'd take it off when she reached the top. Maybe Lorelei would help her tie it into a bow instead.
As she climbed, she could feel the faintest itch along her shoulder blades, the flutter of something beneath her skin. It made her laugh softly. Her wings were growing again. She could almost feel them stretching, pushing against her back, hungry for open air.
"Eve!" Someone called from far below.
The voice was deep, unfamiliar.
"You're not supposed to be up there!"
She frowned.
Supposed to. Adults always said that. Supposed to sit still. Supposed to eat your dinner. Supposed to take your pills and smile for the nice doctor. She pressed a hand to the railing and kept climbing. They didn't understand. She wasn't supposed to stay down there when her wings were practically crying for open air.
The door at the top of the stairs waited, heavy, metal, cold. She could feel the city breathing on the other side. Her heart fluttered like a trapped bird.
"Ready?" Lorelei's soft voice brushed her ear.
"Go on, Evie. Push."
Eve did.
The door groaned open, and the night exploded around her, big and blue and endless. The wind whooshed past her face, cool and wet with rain. The city stretched far below, glowing with tiny lights like fallen stars.
"Finally," Theo said, lounging on the ledge.
His grin was crooked, his eyes shining.
"Took you forever."
Mortis twirled barefoot beside him, laughter bubbling from her lips.
"See? I told you she'd find her way."
Lorelei reached out, tucking a loose strand of Eve's hair behind her ear.
"We've been waiting for you."
They were brighter here, clearer, not shadows anymore, but real. Real enough that Eve could almost feel the warmth of their smiles.
"You're all here," Eve said softly.
"Where else would we be?" Theo winked. "We promised, didn't we? When the sky opens, we fly."
She giggled.
"We fly!" Her voice echoed, bouncing off the buildings, lost to the night wind.
It felt good to say it. Downstairs, the voices had followed her, louder now, tinny radios buzzing, footsteps pounding on the stairs.
"Evangeline!"
"Sweetheart, stop! Please—don't do this!"
Eve turned toward the sound and waved cheerfully.
"It's okay! I'm going to fly now!" She cheered as Mortis brushed past her, sealing the door shut.
The door rattled. She could hear them trying to open it. Lorelei took her hand and squeezed it tightly.
"Are you scared?"
Eve shook her head. "No. You said the air catches you if you believe hard enough."
"That's right. You need to let your wings grow."
Eve's bracelet glimmered in the moonlight, white plastic, black letters. Her least favorite kind of jewelry. She tugged at it until it snapped, the sound sharp as glass. The wind snatched it from her hand, and it fluttered away like a tiny white bird.
Mortis clapped softly. "Perfect."
Theo tilted his head toward the edge. "Go on, Eve. We've got you."
Eve climbed onto the ledge. Her toes curled against the rough gravel. Below her, the city shimmered, alive and waiting. She spread her arms, feeling her wings start to sprout from her back, bones stretching beneath her skin, feathers unfurling in the dark.
The door burst open behind her. The sound was loud, like thunder. Men and women flooded through, their faces pale and frantic. She saw shiny badges bouncing on their chests, little silver rectangles that read PSYCH in black letters. She didn't know what that meant.
One of them shouted, "Evangeline, please! Step down!"
But she was already leaning forward, feeling the wind tug at her shirt.
"They don't get it," She whispered to her friends. "I just want to fly."
And she did. The air rushed past her, cool and wild. Her hair whipped around her face. The city spun and sparkled like spilled stars. For a moment, she was light, feathers, laughter, and freedom. The shouts above grew smaller, fading into nothing.
"See?" Death's voice twirled beside her.
"You're doing it. You're flying."
Eve laughed, a bright, ringing sound that the city swallowed whole. Somewhere far above, the wind carried the echo of voices and the faint clatter of a fallen ID bracelet. Eve never saw the ground rush to meet her. But maybe she didn't have to. Because in that endless moment between falling and flying, she was precisely what she believed she was. A bird, a girl, and a dream unbound.