Chapter 2- Unexpected Turns

It was risky. Anything could happen. Smelt could walk in or Luridae could miss the diversion. ANYTHING could happen for this plan to crumble. Yet still Wildflower was going to try it. She tried not to think about what would happen if they found her trying to escape. It was early dawn and she was about to put the plan into motion.

Smelt would probably sleep till a bit before noon and Luridae was the complete opposite, waking early. Wildflower put out a note saying that she was at the Scorpion Den, taking a break from work that day. It would make Luridae furious and she would dash over to the Scorpion Den about 25 miles away, while Wildflower would be heading to the Rainforest. She hoped to get a good start on the Sandwing. 

Wildflower had just put out the note when she heard Luridae come in. She silently crawled over to a dark corner and prayed to the moons that she didn't see her. Luridae staggered into the room, her venomous tail swaying dangerously behind her. 

"Wildflower!!" She yelled out. She looked about the room to see the letter. After reading it over, smoke flared from her nostrils and her stomped out saying things Wildflower wouldn't repeat. 

After she was sure Luridae was gone, she crept through the house to the door. She silently opened it and closed it behind her. She turned to open her wings and there in front of her was Smelt. She wasn't directly in front of her, she was about 5 full tail lengths away from the rainwing, but Wildflower still felt paralyzed. 

What is Smelt doing out here this early? 

Wildflower thought. It was completely unexpected and unlike her. 

Maybe she found out my plan? No, how could she know?

"So... you've finally found the guts to make an escape?" 

Play cool! You've got to get out of this!

"M-me? I'm afraid I don't know what your talking about. I'm just out here to water the flowers." Smelt gave Wildflower a 'really?' look. "I mean it, go ask Luridae." She tried. 

"Your watering the flowers this early? And when I go inside you'll flee." Smelt cocked her head at the rainwing. "What did you do to Luridae? You didn't beat her up so...?" 

"What is this about?" 

Smelt grinned and chuckled. 

"You can drop the act. I won't sting you or anything." 

"First of all I don't believe that for a second." Wildflower said getting into a shaky battle stance. "Second, how did you know about my scheme?" The Sandwing shrugged.

"Just a hunch." She turned to a violet flower, picked it with her claws and started twirling it through her talons. "It has come to my attention that it was wrong to act as if you were our slave. I acted as if I owned you and that is wrong." Smelt finished by dropping the flower and turning back to Wildflower. 

"But... why now?" 

"I don't know..." Smelt sighed. "Just go before I change my mind." She said, giving Wildflower a small smile. The rainwing smiled too and was just about to leap into the air when Smelt called out. " Wait! One more thing you should know, Wildflower. Your parents are in the rainforest, in a hut under a falling tree." 

"They're still alive?!" 

"Yes, as far as I know." Wildflower's smile grew. 

"Do I have any siblings?" Smelt shook her head. 

"I don't think so." The smile of Wildflower's face damped a bit but the tips of her mouth were still up. 

"Thanks again, Smelt." The rainwing said as she hugged Smelt. Shocked Smelt gasped before she regain her senses and hugged back. 

Arthur's Note-

Hey guys! Thought I would get this out around Christmas. I do want to note that no, Wildflower doesn't know of her invisibility and venom powers. She only knows that she can color change.