Broken Wings

Chapter 1 - Ruby

I know how it feels to be an outsider. Just a month ago, I was normal, even envied, but then everything changed. The winged creatures became useless, and our wings became broken. Soaring in the air would be no more. No more freedom, no more acceptance, just a remembrance of the time where we were normally scarred on our backs. Our race is genetically modified freaks, according to the Governor. We will never be accepted. Never again.

"Ruby, we have a Stray in hallway six. Be careful." My earpiece blared. I sat up abruptly, almost hitting my head on the metal. Crawling through the vents of the Huntington Estate was not preferably how I would be spending my Saturday.

"Thorne, you better be joking,'' I hissed in response. Thorne was like me, a winged human. He had the wings of a hawk, brown with white tips, which matched his messy head of hair. He was somewhere on the outside of the estate, hiding in the trees. He hardly ever got his hands dirty. Instead, he busied himself in hacking and programming.

"Wish I was, Princess.", He grumbled and then added, "He's patrolling, I think. His dot on my tracker just keeps pacing up and down the corridor".

I frowned. Strays don't normally patrol. They're more useful for combat. Maybe the Huntington's wanted extra security. This gala is one of the most exclusive in the world. The Governor, Isaac Huntington, is the host, which makes it the hotspot for suck ups to the Parliament.

I began to move forward, gliding past airways leading to the outside, and leaping across gaps in the floor. I moved as silently as I possibly could. My wings were folded against my back and even though they should be pretty easy to move in, their bulk slowed me down a bit. If I could fly, this would be a whole lot easier.

"Let's go over the plan one more time,'' Thorne said, "You get in the Gala and look for the Governor. Get him away from the crowd within ten minutes of your arrival, because that's when we launch the attack. Remember, if you can't find him, ask a waiter with a small gold star on their vest. Remember, get in, get the Governor, get out."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. In and out. Piece of cake." I murmured as I leaped across another gap.

"I'm serious Ru-"

"Since when?" I interrupted. I began to climb upwards in the vents, pressing my back up against the side, moving slowly.

"Oh, shut up, would you?" he said seriously, but I've known him long enough to know that he was smiling. "But in all seriousness, be careful. I don't want my best friend dead, okay? I'm pretty sure that's unhealthy."

I smiled, "I probably won't live long enough to be worrying about my health."

"You'd better." He replied, "I don't know what I would do without you, Ruby."

"You would die."

"Do you really have that much faith in me?" he asked in mock pain.

"You couldn't handle an undercover mission if you tried, Thorne."

"You're not exactly wrong."

"How close am I to hallway six?" I asked in a whisper.  

There was static on the other end and then a pause of silence. Then Thorne replied, "Continue going forward, then take a left, and straight down. If we can time it right, maybe you can sneak around the Stray." His voice was hesitant like he was unsure and just hoping for the best. 

"You don't sound so sure," I muttered as I continued crawling in the vent. I came to an intersection and then turned left as he had instructed. 

"Well, I mean, you could drop down at the wrong time, and he could capture you and take you to the Governor, who would kill you without a second thought I might add.", He reasoned.  

"Thanks for the vote of confidence." 

"Anytime Princess." 

"Can you please not call me that." 

I continued in silence for a moment until I got to the opening. I peered over the side to see a Stray walk under me. I sharply inhaled and pulled my head back to safety. The Stray's footsteps paused for a moment and then continued, getting softer by the second. I exhaled softly.  

"That was close.", Thorne stated. I wasn't near him but I knew he was smiling. 

"Shut up.", I rolled my eyes, but then added nervously, "How am I supposed to get around him?". 

"You might have to go through him.", He admitted.  

"So be it.", I said, "Let's hope for the best.".  

I turned my body so my feet were hovering over the vent's opening.  

"On my mark,'' Thorne commanded, "One... Two..." 

"Three.", I finished, and launched myself, smashing through the vent and landing inside hallway six. The Stray whirled around in surprise.  

It had the appearance of a human, but its body was extremely muscular and it had a pair of thick black ram horns on its head. It wore a black suit and tie and sunglasses. The Stray immediately frowned and launched itself at me. 

My wings spread immediately. The Stray stopped. He looked me up and down. 

"What kind of...", He began but stopped short when I launched myself at him, landing a kick in the gut. He stumbled back and recovered. This time he just began to circle me, fists raised. I moved with him. 

"I'm giving you one chance to surrender," I warned him. The Stray laughed. 

"Surrender? To a Fletchling like you? You know the Governor would love to see you. You're probably the youngest I've heard of yet. What are you, nineteen? Mr. Huntington would adore you as his prize." 

I smiled ruefully, "Nineteen, yes. Prize, no.", I slid a taser out of my belt, and the Strays eyes widened, "And, for your information, this Fletchling knows a thing or two." I shot him in the shoulder, immediately paralyzing his body. He fell to the floor with a satisfying thump. I slid my taser back into its case.  

"Holy Thor, are you insane?", Thorne chastised, "You could've been killed.".  

"But I wasn't, Thorne. By the Gods, you need to calm down.", I reassured him, "Now be quiet and let me find the Governor.".  

"The second set of doors on your right. You'll find a cloak and some dress shoes in your bag. Did you rip your dress in the fight?", Thorne asked.  

I looked down. I wore a deep red flowy floor-length gown with a bit of a showy V-neck, which Thorne had insisted was appropriate for a gala. I quickly did a sweep over for any tears. There were none. 

"Nothing is ripped.", I reported.  

"Good." 

I pulled a black cloak out of my bag. I put my wings down and slide the cloak over my shoulders. It hugged my body, and it made me quite uncomfortable. I slipped off my running shoes and replaced them with black heels. 

"How do people walk in these?", I murmured, while shifting uncomfortably in my heels.  

"Every filthy rich female snob here is going to be wearing heels,'' Thorne reminded me, "You have to wear them."  

"Whatever.", I said. I walked over to the wall, where a body length mirror hung. I stopped to stare at my reflection. 

A girl with wavy shoulder-length black hair stared back. Her amber eyes glittered in the chandelier-lit room. Her makeup had no flaw, her outfit was perfect, and... She was me. And I hated it.  

"Ruby, you going?", Thorne asked.  

I tapped my earpiece, "Yeah, Yeah I'm going.". I turned on my heel and walked to the second set of doors. I exhaled and opened the doors.