Introducing...wait, I don't know his name.

With every step Dr. Bacon took, I could feel my heart racing faster. I didn't want to return to my plastic prison, and it felt like an ocean of dread had been washed over me. I would have rather have talked to Dr. Bacon about every feeling I had ever had or every feeling I had ever experienced then go back. In fact, I was so determined to stay out of the cage that I probably could have sawed my arm of to get away from the scientist's firm grip, but I knew that was impossible.

With his free hand he yanked open the sturdy steel door and walked into the dimly-lit lab, dragging me with him. As we walked over to my cage, I could feel the stares of all the experiments, and it burned. It felt like they were taunting me, laughing at me silently, and all because of how I had let myself be degraded. I tried to brush it away, but I was embarrassed, and a blush was creeping across my cheeks slowly. I glanced at my flockmates in despair, but even their eyes felt like they were watching me, waiting for me to fail.

After what seemed like forever, we had reached the familiar security of my cage, but even though I could hide in there, I wanted to stay out of it. Because even being under the watchful eye of a scientist in a white room was better then the freedom a cage could offer. So, in my state of haste I conducted a plan.

"Dr. Bacon, wait!"

Dr. Bacon paused and glanced at me curiously. "What is it, Aletta?"

I knew that I was lucky. Dr. Bacon was the only scientist dumb enough to fall for my tricks. "I-I-I feel dizzy." I loosened my stance a little and slowed my blood flow, giving me a paler appearance.

"Oh, no! Did we forget you were allergic to morphine again? Or was it just the interns? I told them about your bad reactions, why don't they listen?" He gripped my arm tighter and led me out of the room and through the academy's ugly grey hallways. Then in the blink of an eye I found myself in a black room with an office chair and several full length mirrors. "Wait here." Dr. Bacon said frantically as he rushed out the door.

I took this time to examine myself in the mirrors. Lily was right, I am vain.

While examining myself, I noticed that I didn't look like I had been in a cage for years. In fact, I looked better.

My skin still glowed a peachy color and made the soft features of my face stick out. For example, my full lips were still a glossy shade of pink and my chocolate brown eyes still shone brightly. And to my surprise my pin-straight white-blonde hair was still clean.

"Alright," I murmered happily, "the flock and I still have it in us!" My mirth was increased when I spread my wings. There they were, the long, light pink wings with jet-black edges, my infamous aviation tools.

"You know, maybe if you spent some more time planning instead of loking in mirrors all the time, you and your friends would be out of here." I turned around sharply to see where the voice had come from. I gasped as I saw the dark figure walk forward. He was a boy my age, maybe older, with messy brown hair and cold green eyes. His green eyes were nothing in compare to his crooked grin though.

"Oh yeah? And who the hell are you?"

"Doesn't matter. All I can say is that I'm a friend. I've seen you around, Aletta, and I have to say I'm a little dissapointed with your work ethic. You could be alot meaner to the scientists too. More like your friend, Lily."

I backed away slowly. "And what do you know about being a lab rat?" I spat angrily.

"Look, Aletta, I don't want to take that. You're talking to a half-human, half-bat freak." He wiped out his thin bat wings and frowned. "Besides, if you're gonna be mean then I won't help you."

Okay, I decided to trust him. "Okay, I'm sorry. You can help. Besides, I've always wanted to meet a vampire."

"Ha ha. Now take this," he threw me a pad of paper and a pen, "and write your friend Sam a letter. You won't see them for a few days."

I couldn't believe it. Leave the flock? Still, a part of me knewI would see them again, and for some reason I trusted this guy with my life. So I took the pen and wrote this:

Dear Sam,

I don't know how to say this, so let me start be saying I'm sorry.

I met someone when I was alone that said he could help me. Don't worrry though, he's a freak like us.

I need to leave for a few days, but when I return I will help you and the flock escape. If you somehow manage to escape before then, then meet me in the nearest town.

Take care of the flock, and try not to be so troublesome. Also, get their spirits up. You are the leader afterall.

Love,

your friend Aletta.

P.S. Be safe.

And so dear readers, I have to leave for a while. I will be back Wednesday though so be on the lookout for your favorite flamingo.

Aletta