Charlie is already heading toward the fort as we approach, and he waves to us as I land in a tree nearby gracefully. By that I mean there is only one slight slip while trying to hold the dead mouse still clenched in my talons, as he gives me a questioning look, saying, “Uhhh… I probably do not want to know, but what is that?”

  I look at him in confusion. I say. My human mind and instincts are of one mind on this, even if there is some confusion about why this is a good idea.

  I hear a mental groan from Shiners as I look at him confused, while Shiners just says, “Yeah… he really wants to give this gift to his parents. He is so proud he caught a mouse with his mind and instincts working together.”

  Charlie looks a little nervous at that as he looks around. “Well… that is very considerate of you. Though they might find it a bit hard to eat and all, but I am sure they will get the gist,” he says.

  I nod my head enthusiastically and excitedly. I say.

  Shiners eyes me, annoyed, as he ahems, unsure if he should repeat all of that and just mutters, “Mike says he is happy about your… agreement with his idea.”

  I glare at Shiners for changing my words, but Charlie appears to catch the tension and chuckles. “Let us just go see Mike’s parents and see how this goes. Unless you want to wait here until someone notices our weird group,” he says.

  I grumble but nod my head as I spread my wings, feeling the airflow over them as I enjoy the feeling. I hope this will go better, but I already got hurt once.

  I soar through the sky. For a moment, I just enjoy flying. I have so many worries and problems. I miss being human, but there is so much gained: the feeling of flight, of being home in the air and in my body. I know I just have to figure out how to put everything together. And that first step, I hope, is having a family again, even if it is a little distant and different.

  In the distance, I can see the large tree I climbed a few times near my house, and it brings memories and longing that make my chest ache. I feel the fear and panic well up. For a second, I feel the urge to turn away, but I fight it. I am stronger than that. I can get through this.

  I circle as I near my home, making sure I have not gotten ahead of Charlie too much. I cannot help but think how slow even riding a bike is compared to flying. It is just a straight line as an eagle flies.

  Shiners finally breaks the silence, flying closer to me.

  Gazing toward the ground as we fly closer, the lights of my home turn on as it is about an hour from sunset by the time we reach my house. I give Shiners a noncommittal response.

  I finally see Charlie catching up as he waves to us, and we all approach my home, a little nervousness in my wing flaps as I fight the urge to stay away from what caused me pain. With a little effort, I manage to fly down and land on the pavement at the front door as Charlie catches up, shaking his head. I drop the mouse there, looking proud but nervous. It feels so familiar yet alien. I am much lower, the scents I remember are faded or not there. This is my home, and yet it is not.

  Charlie gives me a small smile and a thumbs up, telling me he is good. No words are exchanged as we have no idea who is watching, but enough is conveyed that I nod my head, ruffling my feathers to calm down. Just as I am about to take to the air I hear a scream of excitement behind me and turn to see my sister pressed against the dining room table excitedly proclaiming, “MOM. There is an eagle in the driveway,” as I can only stare at her, my brain telling me to get out but my emotions saying to stay as I stand locked like a deer in the headlights.

  Charlie just shakes his head at this. “Great,” he whispers under his breath. He tries to give me hand-shooing motions, but I remain rooted to the spot, staring at my sister.

  My sister quickly opens the door, looking at me excitedly. My mom and dad quickly come out, my mom still wearing an apron covered in spaghetti sauce, it looks like, as they stare. They look unsure what to do and what to say. A mix of emotions flows through their faces: shock, surprise, happiness, fear. It flashes so quickly.

  Finally, my mom says, “You are safe here,” and my dad nods in agreement. I watch the two for another moment and give a small nod, followed by a small eagle chirp, before I turn and take to the air, flying across the street to a low branch where I can still sort of hear, but feel protected from any more pain.

  I land as I hear Sarah move out from under my parents and run over to check me out on the other side as I watch her. My parents move to stop her, but seeing that I am keeping my distance and that this might allow them to talk with Charlie, they let her go for the moment.

  Charlie, seeing this, moves closer. “Hey, sorry to drop in like this. We were not sure if you wanted to hear from us or were ready, but since Mike was… indisposed yesterday after your talk, I felt I should check in. Umm… Mike left you a little gift from a hunt today. He was quite proud…” he says, motioning to the mouse.

  They look at it and stare for a moment, confusion, pride, sudden pain, and realization all going through their eyes. My mom finally speaks, giving me a nod. “Thank you…”

  Before looking to Charlie, I can still see the doubt in her voice, but she wants to believe. She gulps before saying, “Our son has been eating mice?” To me, it feels like she is realizing how much I have changed and how much their lack of support has pushed me to adapt. I can tell she wants to say more, but is still unsure what to say and do.

  My dad finally speaks up. “Is he there?” he asks as he looks in my direction, giving me a nod as I assume he is asking how much I am there. It hurts, but at the same time, I realize it makes sense. I am out hunting and providing food for myself, and given what I went through the last few days, it is not an incorrect question to ask. I give him a small nod as he suddenly stiffens, realizing I heard him and responded.

  Charlie nods his head, giving them an encouraging, if nervous, smile. “He is still here, a little confused… hurt by the other day, but still wanting to be your family. I get it is complicated. It is not even sure it is legal to have a bird, and can Sarah even keep a secret? But he is still your son and needs the support. We believe he might be able to turn into a wolf. So he could pretend to be a new wolfdog. That might help him cope with things and be an easier cover.”

  Sarah looks down at the mouse by my parents’ feet as she stares cutely. “Is that for us?” she asks with wide-eyed wonder about a mouse being left for them. I fight the urge to nod, not wanting to show more than I already am.

  I stare at her response, embarrassed and amazed. It is both cute and endearing, and I wish I could tell her the truth. The problem is, I know her, and she is as likely to innocently blab about her brother the eagle as she is to hide it. I am confused. I get to see my sister again, but in the oddest way I could have imagined.