Page 72 of First Kiss with a Mothman

“That was for pulling a gun on my boyfriend and our friends,” Kovi says.

“I need to move,” I announce, turning to the others.

“The South Lin river is littered with derelict docks and warehouses,” Owen remarks. “It’s uhh…this way. Several miles, if we make it to the water.”

“I need to go save Mort.”

“But you can’t see!” Seth remarks.

“I can see enough.” Several birds flock to my arms as I give them my commands.

“It’ll be faster if I fly there,” Clay says.

With a deep breath, I fall back onto about fifty birds, floating behind me.

“Whoa,” Owen murmurs.

“I can do that, too.” The birds float me up, and I call upon several others to be a search party for any docks on fire. As I’m lifted into the night sky, I feel the full clarity of my abilities.

I am an avian whisperer, through and through.

“Don’t let the birds take you away, Arie!” my cousin hollers. “You don’t have to be like this!”

The flock turns me around, and I stare down at her with Reginald atop my head. “I am a monster, Selena. And your betrayal is one I can never forgive. Goodbye.”

“What do you want us to do with her?” Kovi asks.

“I…do not know.”

“I think I have a plan. We’ll call the cops and tell them to meet you at the dock. Then we’ll meet you back at campus!” Owen says. “Go get your man. Clay will help you.”

“Up, up, and away,” the vampire says. He tugs on the natural wind currents and shoots upward, and in moments, my flock follows him into the sky.

Flying through the air, we’re able to locate the burning shack with ease. I command the birds to land me there swiftly. There is a possibility we may be too late, but I don’t let that deter me.

After Clay lands, he hollers, “Mort! Is that you?”

“Heeeelllp!” My breath hitches at the anguished voice. Over the blazing inferno of the shack, I can hear the love of my life. I’m coming for you.

“Let me!” Clay says to me. He whips off his shirt, then wraps it around his hands. In a blur, he pries off the old, wooden door. Thank monster god for his vampire powers.

Clay coughs as I approach the smoky interior. Even with Reginald, I can barely see. I’m guessing Mort is tied up or something. The shack is burning and could collapse at any moment.

Needing a plan, I ask the birds to survey the entire structure. Through each of their eyes, I catch a motion through a far window. A body is struggling to move in the fire―my Mort.

In a snap decision, I raise my hands out at the open door. In the blink of an eye, a hundred birds fly into the fire and crash through the far window, out the other side. I compel every avian spirit nearby to fly in a circle, crafting a small whirlwind. It takes all of my energy to summon a controlled hurricane, a vortex to remove the fire.

I will save you.

“Arie! Arie!” Clay’s voice snaps me out of my trance, and I put my hands down. I allow the birds to fly off, and I notice it’s a lot less warm now.

It’s then that I hear a voice I know like my own. “Arie?”

“We’re coming for you, man!” Through Reginald, I watch as Clay dashes to Mort. I want to run in with them, but the shack appears unstable. I fear they might get hurt, but then I recall that both of them can fly. Fortunately, seconds later, Mort flies up to me.

“Arie?” The mothman is covered in soot, but otherwise appears to be in one piece. He’s alright. My love is okay.

When Mort gets closer, I relinquish my hold on Reginald. My boyfriend holds me as I bury myself in his arms. A moment later, I sob in his arms. “Mort.”