Page 47 of First Kiss with a Mothman

“Is it a shared monster dorm?” Uncle Robert asks with barely concealed disgust. I know he’s conservative, but this is downright rude.

“I’ll meet you at the parking lot in ten minutes!” With that, I whisk Mort away, just as Mom hollers, “We’ll be waiting for you!”

I force a laugh and wave as we make our way past the crowds. Mort says nothing as he leads me out the opposite hallway.

Friggin’ great. I haven’t locked down the monster boyfriend I like, and he’s already met my extended, conservative family. The walk back to my dorm feels heavy despite me holding onto the guy I care about the most. His wings are buzzing lightly under his suit jacket, but otherwise, he’s quiet.

After five minutes, I can’t take it. “Sorry about my family,” I murmur.

“Why? You don’t control them.”

“Still. I wish they wouldn’t…ambush me like that. They’re not exactly used to talking to the monster community.”

“I’ve heard it all before,” he remarks. There’s a tone of sadness in between the words, and I want to know more. I want to know everything there is to know about Mort Rain.

At the rate we’re going, he might not ever want to go on an official date with me. Which sucks, because I swear he was about to ask me out.

When we make it to my dorm, I hesitate to unlock the door. There’s so much I want to say, but how can I plead with Mort to give us a chance without sounding desperate?

“Thanks. For uh…walking me back.”

“Is Reginald in your room?”

I shrug. “Sleeping probably in his little nest above my dresser. Why?”

“I don’t really want him around when I ask you out on a date.”

What. “Um, uh…huh?”

“Well, you’re free this weekend. I’m free.” His wings stop buzzing, and he rubs his hands on his coat. “I had fun when we went to the movies. I…l-l-liked kissing you. We could…maybe go on a date.”

I smile so hard my cheeks hurt. “Okay!”

“Only if you want. I’m really shit at relationships, but I’d like to try to prove―”

“I already said okay!” We share a laugh, and I touch his face. Up on my toes, I give him a chaste kiss and bid him goodnight.

After I close my door, I sigh. Mort and I are going out on an official date. Now I just need to use the next twenty-four hours to find an outfit and not lose my cool.

The following evening, the nerves are getting to me, so I decide to take an early nap. I’m already dressed for the date; now I simply need to relax. On top of the covers, I drift off immediately.

Deep in my slumber, my skin tingles in a way I’ve never felt before. It’s like my bones ache with an impulse to move. I’m being compelled to stand up. This isn’t me. In my mind’s eye, I can see my body being pulled to my dorm window. The evening twilight reaches my face. I have no idea what’s happening. I’m not in control right now.

The blood moon.

The hairs on my body stand on edge, and my face burns hot as I bathe in the moonlight. The early evening sky does nothing to stop the radiance of the blood moon from caressing my body. My very soul is aflame with an unfamiliar energy. Who am I?

I place my hand on the glass, and I feel a pulse of energy crawl up my arm. I can sense the beings of the forest. It’s as if I can see through dozens, if not hundreds, of pairs of eyes. The birds of the woods fly through the sky, and they all commune with me.

“To me,” I whisper. With those two words, I know that a flock of birds is flying straight for my window. I’m not in control right now. The birds need me, and I need to let my true self out.

I am…something else entirely.

“Agh!” I keel over and rip off my shirt. My back and arms burn, like spikes are growing from the inside out. Reginald flies up to me, but I swat him away with ease.

When I stand up, I howl as my face burns hot. Through the birds’ eyes, I see myself; black feathers sprout from my cheeks, chest, and arms. With that, a hundred birds burst through the glass window. I ignore the pain of any shards of glass as the flock flies under me.

I am one with them. I am an avian whisperer, and I belong with the birds now. And in a blur of dark feathers, the flock lifts me up and takes me away into the sky.