The Shift

4m read
8 points   📖 Stories       Report

The Shift

A fanfiction by SilverWings

Chapter 14-

"Hello?" Tealfeather asked croakily.

"Oh, you're awake!" said a voice from outside

Teal barely had time to help in surprise before an enthusiastic looking raptor stooped below some of the lower-hanging branches and stepped into the veiw of Teal.

"You're probably... a little confused." said the new raptor, tipping his head to the side.

*You bet I am,* thought Teal, but the power of speech seemed to have left her.

"I'm Ace, healer-in-training for my clan," the raptor began proudly. His skin was a dark tan, and his feathers were the same colour as his eyes: a deep shade of green that reminded Teal of ferns . "You... fell off a cliff and into some rough waters over there. If you don't remember, part of your leg was crushed by a rock. If you don't recognise me, it's not your fault, there's nothing wrong with your head. I'm... not one of you." He trailed off, looking down.

"Anyway," he started, back to his cheerful attitude, "I have to go back to my nest for the night, but I'll see how you're doing in the morning."

It *did* seem to be night. No light

He ducked under the branches at the entrance.

"Oh, and by the way," Ace added, poking his head around the corner, "if you see a grouchy old raptor around here, that's Rain. He's the tribe's healer. Try and be nice to him. It's not easy though," he added in a playful whisper. And with that, he left Teal to be alone with her thoughts. *Who* is * Ace? What did he mean when he said he wasn't one of me? And he seemed to hesitate when he told me I'd fallen. Is there-* Teal swallowed *- Is there something he's not telling me?*

A night of dreamless and deep sleep was succeeded by morning. Well, Teal felt that it ought to be morning, but there was still no light being cast through the branches that made a roof over her. She was just about to settle down for some more sleep, despite being well-rested, when a raptor she didn't know - but who looked vaguely familiar - stepped through the entrance. He looked grumpy - partly because he had dull navy feathers and blue-gray skin that gave him a gloomy look. "The name's Rain." he said gruffly, addressing Teal. "Ace'll be in in a minute."

And with that, he left.

*Not a very lively fellow,* Teal thought. She giggled as she remembered what Ace had told her last night. *I'll* try *to be nice to him,* her mind reasoned, *I just doubt I'll get very far.*

"Hello?" called a familiar voice from outside the door.

"Come in!" Teal called to Ace.

"Ah! She speaks at last!" he said happily, ducking below the branches at the entrance. "How are you going?"

"Good enough, a bit stiff though." replied Teal.

"That's good. Do you-" he hesitated "- Do you remember what happened?"

Teal began to shake her head, but all of a sudden, the memories hit her with the force of the blow to her leg.

"I do." she replied shakily, he eyes wide.

Ace began to say something, but Teal's mind was spinning and she didn't even hear him speak.

"I have to get back." she interrupted. "I need to get back to my clan. I need to find my brot-" *half brother* "-my brother."

Teal attempted to stand up, but her leg could barely support her weight and collapsed under her. She let out a small whimper of pain.

"Well, you're not going anywhere with that leg." Ace said evenly, as if he was used to this. He could be, Teal reasoned. "Did you mention a 'clan'?" he asked, sounding genuinely intrigued, although Teal guessed he was just trying to distract her.

"My clan. They need me. We have a healer, I'll be fine with her. My older brother is there and he must be terrified."

"Your clan sounds an awful lot like my tribe. We thought all the other raptors were dangerous rouges. You're... in reality, you're just like us."

He stopped, and sounded deep in thought.

"I have an idea" said Ace abruptly.

Share your own ARK stories!

Open the Dododex app on iOS or Android, select a creature, and go to Tips > Submit Tip.

More Stories By This Author