...crow?

I jolted as I felt the truck run over a bump. I massaged the nick in my neck as I sent a murderous look towards the driver. I sat up and looked at my surroundings. The carriage was much closer to the outside of the city than I thought. It was dark and I started to stretch out my legs as I prepared to jump out before the carriage was going to turn onto another road.

I, light as a feather, crouched on the ledge before swiftly jumping out into the shadows of the street. Yawning, I stretched my arms into the sky and smiled to myself as I began to run towards the borders of the city. Considering my stamina, and how close I am to the borders of the city, the run wouldn't even last that long. I ran fast and passed buildings in a blur. As I hopped down a small hill, I noticed sand dunes in the distance.

The city of Karandish was big, and around this city were small towns that were mainly inhabited by the elderly who wanted to live far from the bustling and noisy city of Karandish. I preferred to live in these towns as well. They were more secluded and there were smaller risks of encountering trouble in these ancient towns. My town is called Palawana. It's a small town but it's very quiet and safe. I live in an alleyway under the basement of a noodle shop. It's shabby, but it's very quiet and comfortable. And, I get free meals sometimes, so there's nothing really bad about it at all!

As I walk in the dark of night I take out a small stick from my ragged cloak and take out a stick. No, it's not a magic wand, but it's a wood medium. Wood mediums can be easily attained by carving thin twigs from palm trees. They are for temporary use but are very useful. They're not used anymore since better all-purpose mediums are being sold. Using sticks is very uncommon nowadays, but it helps in being more discreet.

"Lavantho," I whisper and blow on the wood medium as a small but bright light lights my path.

The moon hangs bright enough in the sky to provide enough light, but just in case, so I don't encounter any snakes on the ground. I smile relaxed, as I hold it up and continue to walk in the direction of my town. Considering my fast pace, I would make it home in about thirty minutes. As I walk and hum quietly, I hear a flutter of wing beats passing by. By the sounds of it, it sounded like it was a lone bird. I shrug and continue to walk when I hear the flutter of wing beats again.

Annoyed, I bring out pieces of bread I saved for myself and munch on it. I tuck the medium in the crook of my ear. Even though it burns a bright flame, it doesn't touch my face. Securing the cloak more tightly around my head and body, I eat my stale bread and start to hum again.

*Flutter* *flutter* *flutter*

Damn, it's much louder now. I thought of using my mana to shut the freaking thing up when all of a sudden I felt something hit my back.

"Owww, what the heck?! " Irritated, I look back and see nobody there, "whoever is tryna play some game with me, it's not funny okay."

I turn back, without a care in the world and start to pick up my pace. Geez, just when I thought I was having a good day!

*Flutter* *flutter* *flutter* *FLUTTER*

I stop and my nose flares as a vein in my head pops. As soon as I turn around a bird flies onto my chest and I screech.

"EWWWWWWWWW! How dare you touch my chest you perverted-," I glare right before staring directly at a...

"-...crow."