I wore my hood the next day, There was no way I could have these four worrying about me. I was already doing that enough by myself. I needed to break it to them slowly, I couldn't stay here, it would put them in danger. I spent a good majority of the early hours stressing over what to do. They would probably provide me with supplies, so check that off my list. I had went to town once and bought a backpack with money I had brought from my parents house, plus there were tons of free maps they were giving out. Along with some clothes I bought and a few borrowed ones from Alex, I was almost set.

    I broke it to them after breakfast. Mrs. Santos was putting away plates when I cleared my throat.

    "I have to leave." I announced.

    Mr. Santos chocked on his coffee, the twins just gave me shocked looks.

    "Why?" Asked Gratuity.

    "I can't stay here, not that it isn't the nicest thing anyone's every done for me, but I'm putting you in danger."

    "Danger?" Alex questioned.

    I sighed. "The same people who, you know..." I gestured to my back. "Want me back, that's how I ended up like this in the first place."

    "We can keep you safe here." Mrs. Santos interjected.

    I shook my head. "Not if they have more guns."

    The kids were looking up at their mom, and the couple were sharing a look again. I could see the gear turning in her brain.

    "Where will you go?"

    "Washington, if there are more people.... Like me.... I want to help them."

    "How will you get there?"

    I grinned. "I have special powers, they allow me to fly."

    She shook her head. "I can't allow you to do this."

    "You have too, all I need is some food, long lasting provisions, everything else is already packed-"

    "You're already packed!?" She squawked.

    I could see this was getting me nowhere, time to use my plan B. "I need to do this, and... There's another reason too....."

    I sheepishly pulled down my hood, and they gawked at the feathers on my neck. I waited, while her mortified face grasped for words.

    "There's more!"

    I nodded. "And they keep growing if I don't find a cure, which might be at the place I'm going."

    "But, we can take you!"

    "I'm faster on my own."

    She had paled, gasping like a fish for a better answer. "But what about your stitches, it'll be weeks before they heal."

    I lifted up my shirt to reveal a faint scar. Something else I discovered, I have extraordinary healing powers. The family gaped at me.

    "But, but...." She trailed off.

    "Thank you for letting me stay, you're a really nice family." I said, feeling chocked up.

    She sighed. "What do you need?"

    It was a few minuted later I had stacked my backpack full of durable food. I didn't really want to stress over good byes so I hugged everyone before launching myself into the sky.

    I still felt bittersweet about leaving, but I had to, I couldn't let what was happening to me, happen to other kids.

    But I did keep one thing with me, the strange picture of the three babies, and a photo of the whole family. I wanted to get to the bottom of the Santos mystery. Maybe I could do that at the lab, after all they probably contained a world database of knowledge.

    I flew for three hours straight. Though for the first leg of the journey I thankfully was carried by the Nevada hot air drafts. So it wasn't to strenuous. However, the closer to Washington I got, the colder it became, and I began to wish I had a brought a jacket. It didn't help I was moving through the air at high speeds, I could practically fell icicles forming on my feathers.

    It was a long time before I realized they actually were. First it was the stiff feeling when I found it harder and harder to pump them up and down. When they locked, I realized with dread I had better melt them off quick or fall to my death.

    I was amazed to find a thin layer covering my secondaries, all the way up to freezing the joint where they folded in. I dropped quickly, too quickly. How was I supposed to get the ice off? I reached behind me, only to tip the side and plummet like a rock.

    The ground was approaching fast, but it was covered in snow. Snow? Do they have that in Washington?

    I hit the ground hard, creating a trench of mud as I tumbled for a few feet. After my body stopped moving, I shakily tried to sit up. Instantly regretting it when pain flared through my right wings.

    I groaned inwardly, taking note that the white snow was splotched red in places. A quick examination of the injury zone made my heart sink. Out of my nine primaries I was left with three. Lots of small feathers were missing an I was bleeding heavily. And worse, I could tell the bone was broken. If there was one thing for sure I wouldn't be flying the rest of the way.

    If there was one thing Mrs. Santos insisted I pack it was first aid. I bandaged what I could, even found a suitable splint and wrapped it around my wing, it eased the pain a bit. I couldn't fold my wing in under my shirt, but in the middle of this snowy desert who would see me?

    Of course this was short lived because thirty minutes later I ran into someone.

    At first I didn't notice, I was walking around in a snowy forest enjoying the scenery. The fir trees were covered in snow, looking all christmasy, then I froze when heard the voice.

    "Hello?"

    Then I saw him, a middle aged man with those pointy walking sticks, coming towards me. Maybe if I was still he wouldn't see me?

    No such luck.

    "I know you're there, do you need help?" The man came closer.

    My mind flashed back to my injury, I doubt he could help, but it might serious if I don't do something.

    I stepped out from behind the tree that had hidden me. The man's head snapped to my direction, and for a second he just stared. My wing hung limply at my side. I waited for him to scream, panic, run for the hills, anything.

    But his head just cocked to the side in he strangest way, as if he were listening for something.

    "Hello." He said quieter. "What brings you here this sunny day?"

    I glanced at the sky, it was actually quite cloudy.

    "Uh, can you tell me where I am? Like, which state?" I smiled weakly, his face lit up in a smile.

    "American eh? That wouldn't be state, young fellow, but province. Welcome to British Columbia, Canada. My name's Jim." He held his hand out, though it was more to the tree than me.

    "Oh, Canada, I'm... Will." This was way off my mark.

    "So William, may I ask what's brings you to my property?" He still had that smile on his face, and he wasn't really looking at me.

    I caught a glance of his face under his hooded jacket. His eyes were an insane blue color, that couldn't be natural.

    "I didn't know I was in Canada, could you possibly tell me which way to Washington?"

    "Are you hurt?" He didn't answer my first question. "I smell blood."

    "Um." It was pretty obvious.

    "Forgive me, I'm, what do you americans call it? Ocularly impaired?" he laughed while I gave him a blank look.

    "I'm blind. No need to be rattled, if you need medical assistance, come back to my cabin."

    "Um, okay." I squeaked out, wondering how I was going to break it to him.

    "Can you walk?"

    "Yeah."

    He started off down a carefully beaten trail. I followed dutifully, glad I could see. Especially after I tripped and banged my wing against a tree. I strangled the yelp, but Jim still heard me anyways .

    "You all right Will?" He bent down to help me up, and his fingers brushed against my wings. I winced as he stiffened.

    He reached out again and caught the edge before I stepped back.

    "How exactly did you get here, in Canada?"

    "I... I..." The words got caught in my throat and I didn't answer him.

    "You're special aren't you?" He chuckled.

    I jumped as another voice shouted across the snow.

    "Hey Jim! Who's the sookie?" There was another man running towards us. He froze when he saw me, this one could see.

    "Heavens above, where did you find him?" The man's face was pale as I tried to conceal my wings.

    Jim waved a hand. "His name is Will, I do believe he has had a little mishap."