"You're a monster! You all are!" that voice rings through the hallways. The deep voice that screamed at them...the voice that tore at the young boy's hearts and left all of them shredded and cowering in fear. It wasn't long until the drastic events that lead to them screaming and crying drove them to run away in fear, in pain, clinging to what they have left of a far beyond fixing heart and trust. They blamed themselves, one could wonder how a set of boys can survive on their own, blaming every horrible thing that has happened to their own body. They wondered, roaming the lands and fleeing from guards of various villages. They were wanted almost everywhere, runaways who were wanted alive, only to be thrown back into the hands of someone who will make everything worse....

A loud crack of thunder roared across the sky, making a young boy bury into the side of his older brother. At first sight, one might think they were human orphans, but upon closer inspection, they would notice the large feathered black wing curled over the younger boy in protection. The boys were dressed in tattered clothing, the older one wearing a long cloak, draping over his shoulders like an elegant curtain...stolen no doubt. They were both huddled into an overhang, the rocks above them providing some shelter from the pouring rain.

"Are we ever going to go home..." the little voice was shaking, not from cold but mostly fear. He was too young to know the horrors they faced...but his brother was not one to sugar coat it.

"We can never go home lead...I don't want you there..."

"But-"

"Don't butt me, brother! We are never going back there! Ever! I don't care how much you miss him, I miss him too! But it's not worth going back to endless torture!" The older brother snapped at the younger one, however, his face softened when he noticed the tears in Vylad's eyes. "Look...I'm sorry, I just don't want to loose you too.." Vylad didn't say anything more, he just hugged his knees and curled into the black feather's surrounding him. The younger brother shared similar wings, only one of his was wrapped in bandages and were a light brown...almost white. Half-breeds...Monsters. The Older brother sat with his back against the rock, his wing tightening around the younger to keep him warm. He was only 2 years older then the smaller one...but Zane knew he was all the younger had left...as the faint, soft whimpers from Vylad ceased into silence, Zane kept his eyes peeled, keen on keeping the younger safe and making sure nothing attacked them...

A gunshot. It echoed throughout the forest and probably scared everything within a mile radius, including the two brothers. By now, they were packing up what belongings they had, and were ready to set out again and find somewhere safe before nightfall, however, the scream caught them off, guard. Zane was immediately on all fours, along lion-like tail slithering in the wet grass as he looked around. Vylad had dropped whatever he was working on and was clinging to Zane's side now, Vylad was only 8, he didn't know any better at this point...However, the black long ears that poked from the side of his head failed to lower. Zane didn't sense any immediate danger, probably somebody getting murdered from the town over...not like the male cared, it was everybody for themselves. Quickly grabbing the backpack with most his belongings, Vylad stuffed the rest of it inside. Zane, being as impatient as he was, had already had everything of his in his own bag, which was strapped to his side. The older brother then quickly grabbed the younger one, his wings spreading and in a quick few seconds, the two were off. Zane was the first to learn how to fly...Vylad had learned but was shot down shortly before the storm. It was the whole reason why the male wanted out of that place as soon as the storm stopped...he knew that the humans, or whoever had shot his brother was hunting them now that they knew the younger was injured, thinking he was an easy to game, but Zane wasn't having any of that.

"Do you know where we are going, Zane?"

"We are heading north, as always, following the northern river until we reach Hellion falls.." Hellion falls was a large pool of water, the waterfall raged there and it was a safe place for many hunted animals...normal hunted animals anyway. The rule didn't apply the brothers, they were monsters, halfbreeds, outcasts...they learned this the hard way. They, however, know that they can rest there for a few days before people notice their presence, they take off again, continuing north in search of a safe home...or at least that's what Vylad believed they were doing. Zane's wings began to flap a bit harder, slowing to a stop and keeping an airborne stillness. Vylad was confused as to why they stopped, but as Zane suddenly swerved downwards to avoid an arrow the younger male gave a small squeal in fright. Zane struggled to avoid the arrows as he zoomed forward, hugging his brother to his chest to avoid him getting hurt. He suddenly gave a screech of pain, an arrow shot through his shoulder, barely missing the smaller brother. Zane struggled to stay airborne now, his wings moving frantically as the pain prevented him from concentrating, but as another arrow soared through his wing, Zane curled his body around Vylad as his body hit the ground. With loud footsteps approaching Zane urged Vylad to run, but his mouth couldn't form words and his younger brother was trying to get his older one to get to his feet. With a fading vision he watched helplessly as people grabbed his brother and reached out to him, then all he saw was black.