#misplaced trust

“Look into my eyes, darling.” Whumper leaned in close to Whumpee’s face, eyes spread wide and smiling gently. 

Whumpee blinked up at him through the tears in their eyes. They didn’t remember how they ended up here, in a cramped bedroom with plaid bedspread, in a soft, satin shift with plenty of room for their wings. Whumper’s eyes were pretty, certainly, a hazel swirl of browns, greens and greys. They smiled despite themselves--they were worried for nothing, he was trustworthy. 

“Good, darling. Why don’t you come with me?”

Whumpee nodded. Of course they’d come. They followed Whumper out of the room, down the hall, and out onto an outdoor balcony. The wind tickled between their feathers, blissfully cool and soothing. 

“Darling, would you do something else for me?” Whumper’s voice was smooth as silk, his mouth in a graceful curve. 

“Of course.” Whumpee grinned back--they were safe here, they were safe with him.

“Would you climb up on the banister, and stay very still?” Whumpee nodded, and he continued. “Don’t move, no matter what. Not a finger, a wing, nothing, not until I tell you, ok?”

Whumpee clambered up quickly onto the balcony, looking out over the field, grass spreading vibrantly until the dark tree line at the edge of their vision. Then they turned around, carefully, to face Whumper. He was staring up at them, a pink flush on his cheeks. 

“Good, darling. Stay still.” He leaned forward, practically giddy. A second pause, then he shoved them, hard. 

True to their command, they didn’t move a muscle as they fell.

**

Whumpee woke, laying face down on a musty blanket. Their body felt heavy, too heavy. A second later, the pressure and the pain registered. Searing, stabbing pain throbbed up the arch of their left wing, and it was echoed along the right. A glance to the side showed them the twisted, swelling injury, where their wing bent out of shape. 

They hurt, so bad, but they couldn’t remember what happened. 

A face swam into their tear-blurred view.

“Hello, darling. You were in an accident. I’m here to help you. Would you look into my eyes?” 

Whumpee’s lashes fluttered, to clear away the moisture there, and they looked into his eyes.

“Why don’t you come with me?” His tone was calm, even.

“Of course.” Whumpee nodded gingerly--they were safe here, they were safe with him.