Taking Flight pt. 5

The sun had begun to set as Swifty flew out from between the sweeping branches of the ancient willow tree, leaving Miss Flit to finish grading papers. Her grin stretched from ear to ear as she glided over the lush meadow below. With a squeal, she dipped and dove, unable to contain her joy. "This is it!" she shrieked. "After tomorrow I'll be able to presto-chango from fairy to butterfly and back again with the greatest of ease! I know I can do it! And when I do, I'll show Dot that he's not the only amazing fairy in Frog's Hollow!"

She truly felt lighter than air as she zipped along, zigging and zagging through the field of sunflowers like it was a slalom course. "Yahoo!" she shouted as she shifted direction, shooting up towards the clear evening sky. She squinted into the wind, focusing on the twinkling stars that had begun to appear in the darkening sky. Swifty's eyes were watering again, but this time it was due to the rushing air blasting her straight in the face as she raced toward the stars. Her shimmering wings were almost invisible, beating rapidly as she pushed herself to go higher, to go faster.

Suddenly, in spite of her blurred vision, Swifty caught sight of a dark shape to her right. Glancing over her shoulder, she wasn't sure what it was, but it was approaching quickly, gliding noiselessly on wings spread wide. Swifty slowed her ascent, blinking rapidly to clear her vision. She gasped.

An owl! An owl on the hunt.

In the next heartbeat, Swifty twisted her body away from the giant bird and began to dive, plummeting back to the meadow below. Straining her wings she shot like an arrow; her target:  the safety of the trees and bushes on the ground. She didn't need to look back to know the owl was still in hot pursuit. She could hear the beating of his wings, inching closer with each second.

Image courtesy of Pipii

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As part of a personal 30-Day challenge to write everyday and in light of this new season of life with all the kids in school, I have begun a little tale. Be sure to start at the beginning...