It seemed wild to think that seasons had changed so quickly. Summer came and went, and winter crawled in with bitterness hanging in the freezing air yet leaving again without stopping. To imagine that I had left my home for nearly three years was somewhat... absurd.

Everyday I looked up into the vast sky to see the sun rising and falling, like being trapped in a savage ocean current, which only went in one direction. It never changed. The clouds were shifting through the heaven, transforming their unique shapes as they went by. My eyes were sparkling as I watched them, observed them, relished them. I hoped one day to be able to return to my home where people would welcome me.

With the time drifting around me and me caught up in it, I grew even stronger and taller than before. I had made a full recovery from the previous wounds. Now muscles were rippling across my back and chest, and my claws along with the talons at my feet were sharper than ever. My wings were expanding larger and more solid. I had to trim my hair when it grew too long. It was a shame that my body weight was still surprisingly light compared to the other teenagers. I guessed that having a feather-like weight could allow me to fly, something that I had not done for quite a while.

Months and months had passed. The relationship between Rohene and I was much closer than before. She and I would talk to each other whenever we had the time. She helped me fixing a few spot around the nearly crippled apartment. I loved the way how she spoke to me. Her voice was music to my ears and her face was like a beautiful painting to my eyes. I also adored the way how she moved nimbly around fallen objects that we hadn't cleared out yet.

A while ago, Rohene had told me to put on a shirt since I had been walking around half-naked. But after tangling up within the shirt with my wings snared between the sleeves for two hours, she had given up. Both of us took care of each other. We supported each other.

John had left us a year ago for medical treatment after knowing that he had cancer. The news was a shock to us. It hammered into our minds as we both prayed that he would make a successful restoration. So far, we hadn't received any news from him. The future was grim.

Soon, it was my birthday. Rohene had came back from the store around the corner to buy me a cake. It was small, nevertheless, delicious. With my age the same as hers now, I longed for the day when both of us could be together forever. I knew that it might never happen. I still remembered when she told John that after she had gotten a job somewhere else and a place to settle down, she would have to leave.

It made me dispirited just to think about it. I didn't want her to leave.

The white, icy snow, which once blanketed the mountains and the buildings, had retreated. With small sprouts peeking out from the still semi-frozen ground, spring was whispering near us. As the days had gone by, trees began to flourish. Birds began to make nests for their offspring. The temperature was starting to get warmer and warmer.

The home, our home, was beginning to shape up into a good-looking place. Instead of having fallen debris littering around everywhere, they were removed and a brand new carpet covered the irregular floorboards. Half-rotted cupboards were taken down and were replaced by a new shelf. The lights were fixed in all rooms and we didn't have to rely on candlelights at night. Window panels were scrapped clean and large metal tiers were securing spots that didn’t have any bars for protection.

All the money came from Rohene's bank account savings. At first, I was worried about using all of her money, but then she had reassured me that it was okay. She would get a real job soon.

We laughed as we worked. It felt good to have a nice companion while everyone else was scared of me, ridiculing me, and ignoring me. When I was tired and took a bath, she helped me washed my wings. It made her smile when I splashed the water into her face with my feathers. In the end, we both fell asleep soundly within each other's arms on a new mattress.

With the leaves waving slowly in a gentle summer wind, my hair floated along with the breeze. I was out in the balcony, surveying the scene before me. I extended my wings, feeling the wonderful sensation being broadcast back into my brain. Rohene was standing behind me, grinning.

It had never felt so good. It was wonderful; viewing the exquisite landscape while spreading my wings was unbelievable. On my left was the city itself, whereas on my right, there was nothing but leafy mountains. Soft, milky vapors hovered among the erected lands. The sun cast a temperate glow onto us.

After a few minutes of silence, Rohene cleared her throat once. I turned around.

"Tobieaz... There's something that I have to tell you," she started.

"Am I? Sadly to say, everyone else does not think like this," I lowered my head a little as I closed my eyes. My heart ached with dejection. I knew this day would come. Facing her once again, I forced myself to smile. "Rohene, it's been a pleasure knowing you. Over the past two years, it's great talking to you and... Yeah." I stopped, fearing that my voice would break.

Rohene's eyes watered as she ran to me and hugged me. I swept my wings around her and I pulled her close to me. She sobbed as both of us were standing there, outside on the third floor.

"I'm sorry, I really am!" She cried out between weeps.

"I know... I know," I said quietly.

She pulled away from me as she wiped her face with the back of her hand. "If only I can meet you earlier... then we would be together forever. Yet, I have to leave..."

"Rohene, I understand that. Don't worry about me. I can survive on my own. Besides, you've already told both John and I that you will be leaving after a while, have you not?"

She gave me a weak laugh. Finally, she recomposed herself as she grabbed the black travelling bag resting on the floor beside her. Stand straight and looking at me, she caressed my cheek as she kissed me on the lips. A minute had passed and I drew away from her.

"Well, this is it. I wish you a good journey to get to where ever you are going. Be safe and best of luck," I grinned foolishly.

"You too, Tobieaz. I hope that one day, you will find a place where you will be free," Rohene took a step back toward the building. "I love you."

Blushing, I replied: "I love you too. Goodbye."

I watched her retreating back as I felt loneliness descending back into me. I heard the front door opened and closed with a click. Shuffling toward the edge of the balcony, I looked down. She saw me and waved up at me. I waved back as I saw her running down the slope and disappearing around a bend.

It was mid-afternoon as I sat on the couch, playing with a small golden chain that Rohene had gave me as a birthday present. It sparkled as I turned it over and over. I had nothing to do. I didn't know what to do now. What could I do? Nothing.

Several knocks were on the door as I got up. I went to the first floor and asked: "Who is it?"

At first, there was only silence. After a while, a female voice answered: "Tobieaz, it's your mother."

My heart nearly stopped as I heard that word. The word that I hated the most. I got my breath back as I stated: "I have no mother, nor do I have a father. I don't know who you are and what you are trying to do here, but you better get lost."

The door pounded once as a man's voice yelled out: "Tobieaz! You better open this door now! How dare you speak to your mother like this! I'm your father and I command you to open the door!"

"Tobieaz, please! Open the door! Please!" The woman begged as the man outside was saying something to her. "I just want to see you!"

I gritted my teeth as I flexed my claws. Finally, I unlocked the bolt and opened a slit. Outside, both of my parents were standing there. I swung the door wide as I glared at them.

They were older since the last time I saw them. Wrinkles were appearing on their faces. They looked feeble and fragile. Mom had her pink dress on as Dad was wearing a pair of blue jeans and a white shirt. I was taller than they were.

Both of the adults were gaping at me as if I was a monster of some kind, or an alien. She stammered as she pointed a finger at me.

"You... Tobieaz... Wha- what happened to you? Oh my poor boy! What happened to your fingers and your feet? I..."

My Dad gawked. "My god... I knew it. Our son has become a devil!"

"Are you two finished?" I growled unhappily. "How did you guys find me?"

"Why aren't you having any shirt on, young man?" Dad inquired as he took a step near me.

"Answer my question first, how did you guy find me?"

"It's simple. With the help of the police and all, we can easily find out where you live. In fact, we have just recently met three men who claimed that they had seen you," he huffed as he placed his thick hands on his hip. "Now, what's the meaning of this? Running away from home?"

"You forced me to run away," I said acidly.

"You will not speaking to me with this kind of attitude, Tobieaz Redil!" Dad bellowed as he slapped my face. "How dare you? I'm your father!"

Stunned, I blinked a few times. Then, rage surfaced. "I have no father! I have no mother! You are both dead to me! Why must you come here to torment me again?"

"You...-"

Before he could hit me again, my Mom grabbed his wrist and held it back. "Don't, Michael. We are here to assist him into getting back to normal."

I pointed a claw at them. "You will not help me! I don't need any of your pity, if you have any. I don't want to see you. In fact, get lost! Leave me be!"

My Mom whimpered as she saw my ire. Dad stared at me with his wide eyes.

"We are going to get you back, no matter what it takes," he said slowly as he walked toward me.

I backed away. Before I could slam the door in his face, several men dressed in raven combat suit came jumping out of the abundant bushes behind my Mom. Instantly, fear arose within me.

"Tobieaz, we are here to get you some medical treatment. Come with us or we will force you to comply," the leader of the squad said in a stern voice. All of them had tranquilizer guns in their gloved hands.

I quickly turned around and dashed toward the second floor. The men charged in as they shouted orders. I heard several windows exploding and shattering as more people poured into the house. I banked a corner and went up to the third floor when I saw several darts came in contact with the wall beside my shoulder with several deep thuds.

I stopped short when I saw more special units dropping through the brittle roof by cable lines. Pieces of wooden planks crashed down onto the clean, light-green carpet. Bewildered, I fled to the balcony on my right. Clattering through the glass, I leaned toward the railing. I panted with tiredness.

"Tobieaz! Stop where you are!" They were shouting as they saw me getting ready to jump. "Don't do it, Tobieaz! Your life is the most precious thing that you can have!"

"Idiots..." I mumbled as I drew out my wings. Taking a deep breath, I jumped off from the third floor.

I heard gasped sounding behind me as all of them looked on. I hit a pocket of warm air and shot up straight into the sky at once. I punched through the clouds and continued to rise. At last, I stopped my ascend. A sea of yellow-orange mist was levitating below me. My wings scraped the malleable cottons as I flew on. I surveyed the beautiful scenery with my green eyes.

Up here, it was my world. Up here, no one could hurt me. Up here, the entire sky was my home.