Clip The Wings

As night fell, casting a quiet darkness over the post-apocalyptic world outside, the children on the 9th floor gathered with a sense of anticipation. The fairies, true to their promise, returned to the room. With a gentle glow surrounding them, they organized the children into a line, their tiny wings flickering in the dim light.

The room, now filled with a sense of both wonder and trepidation, became a staging ground for the magical journey the fairies had promised. The children, lined up in orderly rows, exchanged excited glances as they prepared for the adventure that awaited them.

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Logan's trust in the fairies, particularly his aunty, was betrayed. As the children, guided by the fairies, leaped off the balcony into the unknown, Logan's aunt unexpectedly let go, allowing all the kids that jumped to fall to the ground below.

The night air was pierced by the haunting sound of children falling to their death onto the hard concrete below. The echoes of their cries and the impact reverberated through the desolate surroundings.

A giant owl, swift and soundless, emerged from the shadows. In a precise and vigorous motion, it confronted Logan's aunt, colliding with the building in a sudden and powerful impact.

Feathers drifted through the air as the owl grappled with the one who had betrayed the children's trust.

The 9th-floor room, now a stage for both tragedy and surprising turns, held its breath as the conflict between the owl and Logan's aunt unfolded in the dimly lit space. The survivors, caught between the echoes of loss and the abrupt involvement of nature's guardian, stood in suspense. The large owl, having tackled Logan's aunt and restrained her, asserted its dominance with a piercing screech. The sound, sharp and primal, echoed in the confined space, sending shivers down the spine of those who witnessed the encounter.

Noah and Katorra, cautiously approaching the scene, observed the restrained Logan's aunt and the mysterious owl. As they drew closer, they noticed a peculiar detail—the large owl had legs like a cat. The fusion of avian and feline features added an extra layer of mystique to the already enigmatic creature.

Sapphire, entering the room, was met with the surreal scene unfolding before her. Her eyes widened in astonishment as she took in the sight of the large owl with cat-like legs restraining Logan's aunt. 

Sapphire, harnessing her unique powers, focused on the large owl with cat-like legs, attempting to delve into its thoughts. As she concentrated, trying to decipher the creature's intentions, she could discern only two words echoing in its mind—'protect kids.'

The simplicity and clarity of the message resonated with Sapphire, offering a glimpse into the owl's purpose.

As Sapphire advanced toward the owl with careful resolve, clutching a jar, the atmosphere in the room brimmed with a blend of curiosity and uncertainty. The owl, detecting her approach, briefly recoiled, its feline-like legs tensing.

Surprisingly, rather than eliciting aggression, Sapphire's actions seemed to elicit a cooperative response from the enigmatic creature. With a graceful and purposeful motion, the owl delicately lifted Logan's aunt with its beak, depositing her into the jar that Sapphire held.

Sapphire approached Catherine, who was currently engaged in a heated exchange with Dustin near the barricade on the second floor. Dustin's frustration was palpable as he raised his voice, "A leader should be with us on the front lines!"

Catherine, pushed to defend her decisions, responded with a pointed retort to Dustin's criticism. "Dustin, really? You left Payton outside, leaving me to clean that mess up. So you have no right to lecture me!" Her voice carried a mix of frustration and authority, underlining the challenges and responsibilities she had shouldered in his absence.

Sapphire, attempting to read Catherine's mind, found herself confronted with an unexpected and unsettling phenomenon. Instead of gaining insight into Catherine's thoughts, all she encountered was static—a chaotic interference that rendered the usually decipherable stream of consciousness into an impenetrable haze.

As the attempt failed, Catherine's gaze locked onto Sapphire with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine. The death stare from Catherine was piercing, and Sapphire's face turned pale in response.