Whoosh! Bird wings flapping in the wind make a loud, but gentle sound. That’s all I can hear as I slowly open my eyes, blinded by the blue light of the sky. No, wait, is that blue? It’s green; the sky above me is a soft shade of green. Above me isn’t the soft sway of the trees. Rather, red and blue figures are circling above me. I reach up with my hand following the motion of their formation. Like my father and I would do on the days we would go to the park. Pointing out all the different colors that birds could be. One begins to get closer and closer, and my eyes open wide to realize. They are beasts with wings the size of a skyscraper.

With a rush of adrelanine, I jump up to my feet quickly and begin to run. I’m not in California anymore “OBVIOUSLY!!” I think to myself. Where am I? All I can remember is water, glisening water. As my feet beat the ground faster and faster to get away, the ground trembles beneath me. Feels like I am moving on a treadmill during an earthquake. I notice a clearing of what appears to be rocks. One rock has an opening, “ Just enough space for me to hide,” I am thinking.

I run and run, not wanting to look behind me for the bird, but I have to know. Am I running in vain? Do I still need to hide? My question was answered for me. Just as I was reaching the cave. The giant bird, taller than any tree I’ve seen in California, is right in front of me, with its wings stretched out wide, blocking my path. Quickly, I notice its pointed black beak and sharp white talons. Moving closer and closer to the ground, the wind around it blows as strong as a tornado. Blowing dust into my face, as it settles in front of me, I consider running again, but now that I’ve stopped, my flat feet ache, and my legs burn like fresh hot iron. Cold sweat is falling from my curly bangs.