"W-who are you? Where are you?" I asked, startled. I mean, who wouldn't?

"You do not have to speak aloud, Madelyn," said the voice. "Speak to me within your mind."

This was it. I was going crazy. I had hit my head too hard and I was hearing voices.

"I assure you, Madelyn, that you are not going crazy. I'm the canary that you saw. But I'm not exactly normal."

"Geez, who would've guessed." I thought sarcastically.

"Now calm down, and I'll explain everything, Madelyn."

I took a deep breath, glanced at my phone, and replied with. "Alright; explain."

"You know the legends of werewolves and vampires. Well, it's real. But they aren't the only supernatural creatures. There are weres for pretty much every creature that has ever existed. And there's a spirit of the animal within the individual. They provide guidance and support. That's me. I would've been with the council of spirits, where I had a place, had I not been captured. Since council members can assume a physical shape, I did. But after a fox attack, I ended up in your yard. And you know the rest."

"So you're saying..."

"That you can transform into a canary? Yes. Well, other species of bird as well, due to me being part of the council as a representative of avians. They'll find a new representative, surely, but I'll - no, we'll still have access to a wide spectrum of avian choices."

"This isn't real."

"Oh, but it is. And since your dad is out, I was thinking that I could show you how to shift."

Well, if this was fake, I could laugh in this voice's face. Or laugh at it period. I wasn't entirely sure this was real, and I was half-convinced that I was going insane. But if it was real, I would have the reassurance that I wasn't going insane.

"Alright. So, how do I do this... shapeshifting thingy."

"Go outside first, into a concealed area where nobody can see you. Then, I'll tell you."

I climbed out of bed, smoothing my shirt before walking outside. I went behind the bush that my parents had planted, and then asked the canary "What do I do next?"

"Remember what my physical form looked like? Just picture that in your mind, and focus on transforming."

"Okay."

I recalled the moment that had happened mere hours ago. I remembered the yellow feathers, how vibrant they were. I focused on changing. This isn't going to work, I thought to myself.

But it did.

Fingers became thinner, becoming the feathers at the end of the wing. A feather pattern rippled across me, and I shrunk. I became lighter, a beak protruding from my beak. My arms were wings, my legs were the small - I guess you could call them talons - of a canary. Not gripping ones of an eagle, however, but good for perching, as I later learned.

I was a canary.

"Congrats." congratulated the canary spirit.

"Thanks." I thanked. "So, what do I do now?"

"Flying practice for you. And my name is Ashlea, not 'Canary Spirit'." Ashlea informed.

"Okay."

"Let's begin. You'll need to push off, and flap your wings. Move them in a circular motion, and if you don't succeed at first, don't worry. It's your first try, after all. And we have a good five hours until your dad gets back. "

"What if I fall?"

"The grass and leaves will act as a cushion, absorbing the impact."

"I'm so reassured."

"Trial and error, Madelyn. Trial and error. Now try it; I didn't convince you to come here for nothing."

I tried to relax myself, and then pushed off of the ground. Circular motion, I reminded myself, flapping the wings. Yes, wings. I was still trying to get used to the fact that I had wings. I had hoped that I was going to succeed on the first try. Nope.

Nope, I just had to fall on the grass. I just had to.

"Ashlea?"

"Yes?"

"I was hoping to be off the ground, not grounded."

"I told you that you probably wouldn't succeed on your first try, Madelyn. Now get up, try again. One does not simply give up after their first try."

"Fine." I got up, launching myself into the air, flapping, moving my wings in a circular motion. Fell again. Come on. Just... come on.

"Try again, Madelyn. You'll get it, don't give up."

I sighed, pushing myself off the ground. Flapped my wings, moving them in a circular motion. I must've fallen at least ten times before I did it. I was flying. People have dreamt of flying for so long, and now, I was doing it. I was flying!

"Good job, Madelyn." congratulated Ashlea.

"I did it. I'm flying!"

"You are. I knew you could do it, Madelyn."

"What am I doing here? I should be out, flying! Heck, I can fly now!"

"I know you're excited and all, but some predatory birds have been known to attack smaller birds like canaries. Maybe you should just limit it to the neighborhood. And stay off the ground. Don't make the mistake I did."

"Okay."

It wasn't exactly what I had expected, but I was able to fly! And maybe, after Ashlea taught me how to fly, I could go anywhere I wanted to! Now, I had something to look forward to!

"How do I go forward?"

" Turn your body more horizontal. Lean forward. And don't forget to flap."

"Thanks."

I leaned forward, moving forward. I then went up, and the houses seemed to shrink before me. I was flying, and I felt freer than I had ever felt before. Wind rushed by, and other birds flew across the sky. I felt alive!

"Are there any shifters nearby?"

"Possibly. There's a group of cat shifters in the town, but you're safe from them as long as you stay in the sky. But, there are many bird shifters and wolf shifters nearby. Who knows if there are any nearby. But most bird shifters respect each other."

I kept flying, and I was enjoying myself. That is, until a falcon flew up to me. Oh crap.

A/N- How did you like the chapter? I enjoyed writing it! Please leave feedback, comments, votes, and I'll see you next chapter! Bye for now!