“Nonononononono!” I huff with gulping breaths.

I haven’t looked back for five minutes because I know they won’t stop chasing me until I’m dead. My heart is pounding as I sprint through the woods…..when I see her soaring above me in the sky. First I don’t believe it, because I only know her from legends and myths, but then she dips down through the trees.

She is beautiful, and unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The Grand Golden Eagle. Just like the stories tell. My feet come to a slow as my eyes trace over her body.

She is at least eight feet tall from head to toe……or, talon. Her feathers are as long as my arm and glide over her like a cloak. They are golden and the sun shines off of them casting a glow over the forest floor. She nips at a rodent she seemed to be searching for on the ground when her head turns to me.

I stumble a little bit when I hear loud voices behind me, shouting and screaming my name. Panic fills my head and I’m torn on what to do. When I finally urge my legs to go I am stopped immediately by the giant bird.

She holds one of her wings out and crouches down. I open my mouth in confusion

“W-what do you want me to do?!”

I bounce my leg anxiously until it clicks.

“No, no I can’t do it!”

An arrow whizzes past my ear and lodges into a tree just to my right. I let out a yelp and climb onto the bird. Carefully I throw my legs over her back and she quickly rises.

“Stop her!!!” I jerk my head behind me and see my pursuers gaining speed. My heart speeds up and just when I’m about to run she lifts off the ground.

First I hear a gust of wind glaze over the forest as she leaps up. I throw myself into her feathers and wrap my arms around her neck as I squeeze my eyes shut, what follows is a brain shattering scream. I feel my hair fly behind me and I grip her tightly as wind drowns the voices behind me out. When I hear a loud noise come from the bird I open my eyes slightly.

We soar above mountains and miles of green.

“Oh my gosh, oh no, oh no no no.”

We drop down in a series of spins and I scream even louder.

I feel my feet lift slightly of the body of the bird and I immediately pull myself back down. I shake my head hoping it’s all a dream, but then I feel us start to slow. When we stop spinning I open my eyes again. In the far distance I see my village. We are much closer to the ground now and sailing at a much slower speed. I tighten my legs and slowly move my arms off of her neck letting myself sit up. I laugh a little and raise my hands over my head.

“Wooooo!”

The bird lets out another shriek as we sink to the ground. She flaps her wings and when we touch down I slide off her back. We are back home and I see my little sister running towards me. I can’t say I’m upset that my feet are on solid ground but I turn my head to the Eagle anyway. Her beak is facing me and I smile. I brush my hand over her face when she bends down.

I hear audible gasps from my people as she lifts off again into the sky. I will be forever thankful for her visit because I know I probably won’t be seeing her again.

In the far distance I see a bright shine of gold and know I’m safe.