Eillouette's POV
~fourteen years later~

I scream in terror as my mother falls behind, the gunshot wound in her leg taking effect. "¡Mi̱téra!"

"Eillee... ekteléste."

Staring at her in horror, I shake my head. "I cannot leave you!"

"I said run, Eillouette!" She snaps, "You are our species' only hope!"

"No.... I cannot!"

My mother struggles to her feet, her wings broken and bleeding. "Eillouette you are the Móni̱ Elpída. You have to leave now."

I hug her tightly and she kisses my forehead before I finally heed her warning and run for my life. I hear repeated gunshots from behind me as I distance myself further, my mother's screams echoing in my ears as I run into the forest.

It's beginning to seem like all I do is run.

What did I do to these people? Why do they hate me?

My red wings tear on a sharp thorn branch, but I don't make a sound, not slowing at all until I reach the town. The human town. I freeze. Fterá are not allowed in the town's...

"Oh my goodness... young lady, are you alright?" A man's voice. I try to run, but he is already in front of me.