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I wanted to be happy for Alex. She was deciding how she wanted her future to go, but I couldn't help but be afraid myself.I knew deep down that I would never know how her choice would work if she followed my example. Realistically, I was only days away from returning home, and the chances of seeing my friends again were slim.

Alex's voice spoke with excitement. I think she expected me to react joyfully, but instead, I couldn't help but stare silently. My emotionless face didn't help, but even my body language seemed concerned.

"I'm not completely sure, but I might be happier that way," she said with less excitement. I leaned forward and gave a nod in agreement. "I don't know where I would go, but I don't think I can stay here. Haven't heard of any Snowy Owls living around these parts," she chuckled.

Alex's kind wasn't local, but at least it wasn't like Benji, who was primarily limited in his choices. Leaving your country for a one-way trip wasn't easy, and it was usually filled with paperwork and red tape, all as a result of disappearing from civilization. However, Alex seemed clear that a life like Benji or Damien wasn't for her. Even in her plans to live with Elizabeth, she wouldn't be treated as a display or part of some program. She wanted to remain independent, no matter what her form was.

Alex waited with me as the others slowly began to wake. In the back of my mind, I began to dread leaving. It was hard to say goodbye to my friends the first time, but the second time wouldn't be any easier. Seeing Nash, Rylie, and Matthew again was something I was grateful for, and meeting the new house members was also terrific. I couldn't connect with them in the same way, but maybe that was for the better. They have their paths ahead.

Rylie came down the stairs and gave Alex and I a half smile. She walked over slowly and pulled a chair next to Alex and I. "Did you sleep alright?" Rylie asked softly to Alex.

"I wish I did. I haven't been able to sleep well the last few days. Too much going on to relax," Alex said.

Rylie wrapped her arm around the owl. "I know that feeling. I haven't slept well myself." Rylie turned to look at me. "Lyall, you always sucked at sleeping. It seemed like most nights you lived here, you did something to keep us up," Rylie joked. "But of all the people I never expected to see again, you were pretty high on my list." Rylie stood up and walked over to me. She wrapped her feathered arms around me and gave me a slight squeeze. "I'm happy you came back, though. It's always great to see an old friend."

At first, I was caught off guard, but I didn't want her to let go. Of the people who helped me during my changes, Rylie and Nash were the only ones still around. They were there when Damien left and when Kole disappeared. I didn't want to say goodbye again.

As I thought of that, Nash came down the stairs with a tiny hummingbird in hand. The little bird cocked its head in curiosity. Perhaps the grouping of birds in the corner seemed funny to him. Shelby and Matti were not far behind them, and Shelby quickly came to take Dan from Nash. Watching them interact made me happy, just like when I lived in the house; it was like a family, everyone being there for each other. Things weren't the same as last time, but neither was I.

"Make sure you take care of yourself. It's a crazy world out there." Rylie stroked my back. We sat around for a bit longer; no one wanted to make the first move, but eventually, Nash grabbed his keys from the counter.

"Well, I guess the train is leaving," he said jokingly.

I cautiously stepped onto Alex's wing, careful with the yet more feathers she had. Any hope of wearing the glove was long gone, and now she lacked hands. Nash had to help her with the door and the seat belt. You would have expected this to be embarrassing, but Nash treated it like any other time. Nash started down the road and rhythmically tapped his hands on the steering wheel.

"Lyall, if you somehow find yourself banged up, make sure to stop by again," Nash spoke with a smirk. I nodded my head with a slight shake.

It became eerily silent as we finally pulled into the clinic's driveway. Once the sound of the wheels on the gravel quit, it felt like the world had stopped. Nash climbed out of the van to assist Alex with her door. Elizabeth quickly ran out to meet us but promptly picked me up from Alex's wing.

"Woah there! We don't want to go hurting those, too!" Elizabeth exclaimed as she reached for me. Elizabeth wasn't wearing any protection; instead, she cradled me like a baby and held my feet with her free hand. It may not have been unusual with birds, but it certainly wasn't what I had gotten used to.

"Thanks for bringing them back over, Nash," Elizabeth seemed relieved.

"Sorry, it wasn't last night. Time just slipped away from us."

Elizabeth smiled, "It's good for them, the both of them."

Before Nash left, he gave my head a final scratch, "Maybe I'll see you out there one day. Maybe my plumage will be in then." Nash winked before turning back to the van. Elizabeth turned to walk back to the clinic, blocking my view. I could hear the gavel under the tires as they slowly faded away.

Elizabeth held the door open for Alex, and she seemed both surprised and calm about Alex's recent changes. Once we entered our usual space, she placed me on the metal table top. I watched as Elizabeth took a look at Alex's new wings. She complimented her feathers, which Alex was beginning to grow tired of. I looked around the room, and many of the animals in the cages had moved to new spots or had sheets draped over them. After this room had been kept exclusively for me, it was nice to see things returning to normal.

'I finally got a hold of Eli again," Elizabeth said aloud, gaining my attention. "He still says he can't make it. Not sure how sick he is, but his texts aren’t quite the lengthy essays I'm used to seeing." Elizabeth sounded slightly concerned, but I knew what it meant. His changes must be progressing quicker now, maybe even finishing.

"I told him we were planning on getting you out there in the next few days. I'm not sure what your expected day is, but I figured it was worth a try." She shrugged before walking towards the far counter. "I know you are probably tired of them, but you're probably hungry. Just think of it as one of your final meals with us." Elizabeth brought over a thawed mouse and placed it at my feet.

“You have some visitors coming this evening. The CDC wanted a final interview with you to follow up on your mental state, and I figured it wouldn't hurt to reach out to your mother. I know she left suddenly last time, but I think it's better for both of you to talk again." Elizabeth began checking on the cages and writing notes. "Sorry to make plans for you, but schedules can be tight, you know?"

I nodded in agreement.

Alex continued to stare at her wings and body. It didn't seem like she was anxious as much as she was curious. She flexed her wing, allowing it to flare before folding it flat against her side. She watched as the feathers neatly slid into place until something caught her eyes, and she quickly tried to adjust her feathers with her mouth. Her eye caught a glimpse of me, and quickly, she stopped her attempts to preen. I started to preen my right wing and back. She smiled and closed her eyes.

"I know what you are doing, and I appreciate it, but you don't have to do it," Alex muttered.

I stopped preening and felt slightly embarrassed. I didn't want to embarrass her with it, but I also didn't want her to feel like she needed to hide it. I remember when I started getting those same urges myself; they were like an itch that only grew stronger the more you ignored them. I turned my attention to the mouse Elizabeth had given me. I wasted no time eating it while Alex watched. She seemed both put off and mildly curious, but I didn't want to embarrass her over that either.

I didn't do much the rest of the day. I mostly watched Alex and Elizabeth work on tasks. More specifically, I watched Elizabeth work and Alex try her best. Most of her usual jobs were impossible without hands. She could take counts and relay them to Elizabeth, who wrote them on paper. It probably wouldn't have taken any longer if Elizabeth did the work herself, but it gave Alex something to feel productive doing. Eventually, Elizabeth had to leave the room to grab fresh towels, leaving Alex and me alone.

Alex pulled a chair next to my spot on the table before sitting down, cradling her head. "Do you ever feel like your mind is foggy? Like you can't think clearly?" She groaned with her wings wrapping her face. She stared forward without saying another word. I tried to get a better look at what caught her attention, but I couldn't see anything of interest in front of her. I grew concerned until the hallway door swung open.

"Gonna need to put another load on before we leave. Alex, could you make sure I do that before..." Elizabeth stopped when she saw Alex staring forward. "Alex?!" she shouted.

Alex's head snapped forward, and she gasped before turning to Elizabeth, "Huh? What's that?"

Elizabeth looked worried. "We need another load on before we leave. Can you make sure I do that?" Elizabeth said with a sigh.

"Yeah, I can make sure you do."

"Did you get lost in thought again?" Elizabeth asked.

Alex's feather puffed, and she turned away. "I can't help it. It just sort of happens."

"It's been happening more often, though. Are you sure you don't want to talk about it?" Elizabeth walked closer.

"I don't want it to happen. I'm not ready for it yet. I don't even know what I'm doing once I turn!" Alex shouted, bringing her wings up to her face again. "I'm stuck with these awful things; it's not like I can pretend to be a human anymore!"

"Alex, we talked about this. You don't have to commit right now fully. You still have time, right?"

Alex gave a hesitant nod.

"When the time comes, you can decide. Until then, just be Alex the human," Elizabeth said, placing a hand on Alex's back.

Suddenly, a buzz sounded in the room. Elizabeth looked towards the window before her eyes lit up. "Oh! Must be for Lyall!" She ran out the hallway door, letting it shut softly behind herself.

Alex slid her chair to the other side of the room and sat at the desk. Her back was turned to me, but she sat unmoving. Elizabeth returned from the hall to the room with the same CDC interviewer who visited me when I first arrived. He smiled at me and greeted me.

"Glad to see your wing is back to working order, Mr. Williams." He placed a small bag on the counter and leaned in toward me. "I guess I can make this quick for you. I just have a few questions to wrap up some documentation we have been doing."

He pulled a notebook and pen from his bag and placed them on the counter. He scribbled a note, but I was unable to read his handwriting.

"So, Mr. Williams, has anything changed since we last spoke? Less control? Impulses?" he asked.

I shook my head.

"So your wing..." He went on a myriad of questions. None were too interesting, but I essentially gave the entire history of my recovery using 'yes' and 'no' questions. It wasn't until one of his last comments, rather than a question, that I felt taken back by.

"Not often do we see anyone who has retained their complete personality. I swear that medication caused more trouble than it helped. Thank god no one else was exposed to it, no offense, of course." he said, packing his notebook back into his bag.

I shrugged, but noticed Alex watching after that last remark.

"As a personal question, are you sure you want to go back? You seem to have been taken good care of here. While we would have preferred less outside contact, I hear you were able to meet up with some of your old friends?" he asked.

I nodded my head, this time with confidence.

"Well, I'll take it that you are sure." He picked up his bag and brushed off his pant leg. "It's been nice chatting with you, Mr. Williams. I wish you the best on your return," he said before following Elizabeth out to the hallway. As the door opened and the man was let out, someone else squeezed in. Elizabeth gave her a smile before letting the door shut.

"It's good to see you, hon," Mom said nervously.