Page 53 of First Kiss with a Mothman

“Yes,” Mort replies. “No wings, but lots of feathers.”

I nod, trying to take it all in. While this is overwhelming, a lot of things in my life are starting to make sense. I touch my face, feeling the smooth skin, and try to remember the features they’re referring to. I vaguely recall a glow, presumably the blood moon, compelling me to take to the sky.

And I felt a flock of moving consciousness. The birds of the forest all connected to me.

“No,” Mom says after a long pause. “No, no, no. Harpies and witches?” She takes my shoulder, and I can almost see her glowering at the dean. “My son is a human, a bona fide human. He’s not one of you creepy people.”

“Mom,” I whine.

“I saw it happen,” Mort says calmly.

“Are you saying that birds naturally did that to my campus window?” Dean Yaga asks in a patient tone. It’s obvious she’s pointing at the glass on my bedroom floor.

“I don’t know what you get up to at this school. But my son is no monster!”

“Miss Baker.” We all turn our attention to the dean. “According to the music department, your son is an excellent student. And we do what we can to accommodate those with disabilities. Clearly Arie has overcome several challenges in his life. This is just another change, and yes, it may take some getting used to.” I hear her get closer. “But he is a member of the monster community.”

“That…that’s absurd! Look at him!”

“Mom,” I say in my most placating tone. After a moment, I summon a strength from within. Recalling the glow of the blood moon tonight, I think about all the birds in the forest.

And my skin prickles with a new heaviness. Mom gasps, and I feel my face and arms to confirm that yes, I have feathers over me. “Mom, it’s okay.”

“But…but you were never a monster before!”

“Monster traits oftentimes don’t develop until puberty,” Mort explains. “Or later. And that’s fine.”

“You don’t get it! My son is no…creepy creature!”

“Mom!” I yelp.

“Miss Baker, I suggest you choose your words carefully.” The dean’s voice drops to a serious tone. “You do not want to offend our school, considering I’ve waved away the destruction caused by your son’s powers.”

I sense a movement of wind, and Mort gasps. “The window is…repaired,” he murmurs.

In a night filled with surprises, that was the weirdest. There are rumors of what the dean can and can’t do, but I guess she can fix windows in a snap?

“Now I am sure this is a lot to take in. And we will need to get Arie registered with the Organization of Monster Enhancement. They can help him adjust.”

“No! I should probably just take him home so he can be human again.”

“Mom, it doesn’t work like that.” I sigh and allow my feathers to retreat into my skin. “I…I want to get registered.”

“You need to leave this school!” she says in an exasperated tone.

“Arie.” We all turn to Mort. “What do you want to do: stay or go?”

I nod and take a moment, even though there’s not much to think over. “I’m staying at Creelin. If that’s okay with you, Dean Yaga.”

“Of course!”

We wait in silence for Mom to say anything. She must know she’s outnumbered in every way right now. “Oh, sweetheart.” She leans forward to hug me, and I squeeze her back.

“It’ll be okay, Mom. They can teach me things about this new part of me.”

She sniffs and nods against my face. “I’m not thrilled about it. But it’s your choice, sweetheart.”

“Yes, it is,” I say. “And I want to go to the OME monster orientation class.” I turn to where I assume Mort is standing. “Will you take me, Mort?”