The Unadjusteds by Marisa Noelle

Author:Marisa Noelle [Noelle, Marisa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Write Plan
Published: 2019-11-10T06:00:00+00:00

Later that day, I climb the ridge, giving the training ground a wide berth. I catch sight of people scaling walls of hay and dodging swinging effigies, but I’m not interested in that. I walk farther into the woods, where I can still hear the activity in the meadow, but where I’m alone enough that I know no eyes will be watching me.

This time, I choose butterfly wings. With the merest of wishes, the wings erupt from my back. The sensation of unfolding is actually quite pleasant. I examine the wings. White and almost translucent, they appear thinner than Erica’s and three-quarters the size. I beat them harder and lift into the air. It takes more effort than the bird wings and I feel the tension in my cheeks as I grit my teeth. I suspect it’s easier for Erica. She always makes it look so effortless when she’s in the air.

I fly higher, staying close to thick branches in case I fall. When I reach the top of an oak, I stick my head above the canopy. All I can see is green for miles. A loud hum sounds in my ears and too late, I realize I’m right on top of a bee’s nest.

I let out a shriek as I get stung three times on my hand. I lose air and drop a few feet. Scrapping my arm along the trunk, I beat the wings harder and concentrate on not falling to the ground. When I reach the canopy again, I head for a new tree, find a thick branch and sit. I lick the stings, which takes some of the pain out of it.

Once I’ve got my breath back, I prepare to fly to the ground. I’d rather use the bird wings as they feel stronger and safer, but there isn’t room in the tightly-packed trees, so I stick with the smaller butterfly wings. They rustle as I beat them, but there are no mishaps and I land gently on the ground.

I scream when Kyle suddenly appears before me.

“What the hell?” I say, stumbling back.

He holds his hands up. “Was just going for a run.”

“You scared the crap out of me!”

“Sorry, dude.” He leans against a tree and watches my wings flutter. “You telling people now?”

I shake my head. “Not yet. I want to get used to them first, and as you’re here, I want to test a theory.”

We mark out a track in the woods. I push the wings into my back and think of running fast. When my calf muscles twitch, I know the speed ability has risen. Two minutes later, when I complete the track, Kyle is already there. He grins and performs a little celebratory jig. I roll my eyes at him.

“I think that proves it,” I say.

“Proves what?” Kyle asks, still shuffling his feet around and pointing both index fingers at the sky.

I flop to the ground. “That whatever ability I take on, it’s not as powerful as the person I take it from.

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