I watched as the coast passed below me, trying to see if I recognized anything. I hope you have an idea of where we're going. I might be able to recognize his house, but more than likely, we could be traveling up and down the coast for hours before we found it.

I’m fairly certain I know it. We could always fly along the road if that helps you tell landmarks. Shiners was taking point for the moment as he was more familiar with the area from the air.

I finally spotted something I recognized: an island just offshore that I had been to once years ago, and could see while driving to his house. Okay, I see something. We're still a while from Charlie's, but at least I’m not completely lost.

Over time you will start to figure it out. You just have to learn to place an object from above as much from ground level, and how they look. He pointed with a foot to a building we were passing with lettering that I soon realized was the corner store at the edge of town. Take that building, you don’t normally see the roof, but you can still tell the sign by the colour, and if you fly further away, you can read it.

I glanced over to it and nodded my head. That makes sense, though that only helps in the future. I will keep that in mind,. It will help when I can turn into a wolf or something.

The next bit of the trip passed in silence and I took the time to think again about meeting my parents. It was eating at me. What would happen? Would they be able to tell that it was me? Would they reject me? Maybe they would think it was all a joke? I gave a mental sigh.

The sigh must have transferred over to Shiners as he looked back over his wings at me, saying, I’m sure it will be fine. We will just have to convince them of who you are. Whatever happens, Charlie and I will be there to help you get through all of this.

I know, just doesn’t make it any easier. I will be glad when this is over; even if it goes badly, it will take the worry off for now. I remained quiet as I continued to look at the landmarks below. I saw other birds, cars, houses, and even some kids playing on the beach.

I tensed up when I spotted a bald eagle that seemed to be watching me pass. I had been dreading what might happen as I knew sometimes eagles could be territorial, but thankfully it looked content that I was moving on.

As we moved out of range of the eagle, I finally spoke up, I hope none of the eagles give us a hard time. I know sometimes they are friendly with each other, and other times they are hostile. I'd hate to get on their bad side.

You should be fine as long as you don’t look like you're trying to take their territory or being hostile; just be careful.

After that, I kept an eye out for other eagles until Shiners spoke up again. I think this is the area. It looks to be the right place., How do the houses look, any that seem to be Charlie’s?

We soon arrive at a yard that looked like his place. But I wasn't able to recognize the roof. But I did recognize the car that was Charlie’s mom’s. Yes, I believe that’s his house. We're definitely here. Let's find the campsite, and we can settle in and wait.

Finding the campsite was pretty easy since I had seen it as we drove by on the way to charlie's in the past. We found the cabin that Charlie mentioned. Though cabin wasn't quite the word for it. It was more an open area for cooking and such that was often used for big events in the summer.

I landed in a tree near the cookout area. There was only one car there, and someone was playing fetch with their dog by the water.

Well, it’s quiet right now other than the two over there. It’s funny watching the dog, as I always wanted a dog when I was younger. Never thought that someday I might be that dog. I couldn’t help but give a small laugh at the strangeness of the idea. Maybe if lucky I would be able to turn into a dog in time. I didn’t see any tents in the area, so they were probably just visiting. Hopefully there wouldn’t be anyone here by the time my parents showed up. Since they worked, they likely wouldn’t show up till after dark anyway.

Shiners landed next to me and chuckled. Well, now you will get to experience dog ownership in a way that few ever do. I was thinking; it’ll be bright enough out with the moon and snow that we could wait near the entrance for your parents to arrive and follow them here.

That might not be too bad of an idea. I would like to see how they act before I meet with them. The idea of seeing them was scary in many ways, but I was also trying to keep a hint of optimism that they would accept me. We still have time till they arrive; let's just hang around here for now.

Shiners nodded. It should be around dark when they arrive. Until then we can just watch. Maybe when they are gone, you can try to practice your writing more. He pointed to the dog and its owner nearby.

We watched them for half an hour before they left. The entire time I thought of what it would be like as a dog, assuming it all works out tonight. Would I resent or enjoy it? What about my parents? My sister was likely be the only one that didn’t know about who I was.

They finally left and I stretched my wings and laughed. Was starting to wonder if they would be here all night.

That would just be our luck. We would have to figure out another spot somehow, but probably too late to change things up.

I nodded. Well, we should do it today anyway; They would start to get suspicious if I don’t show up, or they don’t hear from me any time soon. I gave a quick look around the area. It doesn’t seem like there is anyone else around here at the moment. Keep watch for me and let's see if I can write my name in the snow.

Sure, let me know when you're done, and I will give it a once over and see how it looks to me.

I drop from the tree and land in the snow in a spot away from the hut so that I could try to write my name. This time I figured I would give my beak a shot; and hoped it was better than my talons. The first line was easy, and then the second. It was when I got to the third that I had to be careful that I didn’t erase the previous lines while trying to add a new one.

Looking down after I was done, I could see what appeared to be a M, but was a little closer to a N, but at least it looked more like a letter. I Wrote I without any problems. K was much more complicated and ended up going with the Less than part of the K first, and then doing the line. E was still more complicated but after a few tries, it seemed right…ish. Looking down, it looked more like NikC, but it was closer than the last time.

I spent the next half an hour until the sky darkened practicing, and each time it was a bit better. I wasn’t sure I could do this for a whole conversation, but at the least, it was something my parents would hopefully accept.

Shiners dropped down to have a look at it. Not perfect but a far cry from what you started with, and I think it’s close enough that your parents will have to accept that it’s likely from you. Let’s fly to the entrance and wait for them.

As he said that I gave him a nod, and we flew up into the sky and to a tree near the entrance.

It wasn’t too long of a wait, we saw a bus drop off Charlie. I gave out a skree and he turned to look in my direction while giving me a thumbs up and headed to his home. A few minutes later he walked out of it and heading in our direction. Shiners droped to speak with him from a lower branch.

Shiners flew back to me. They are on their way and should be here soon, he said. He also said you can do this.

The next dozen or so minutes passed in silence as I was trying to fight panic. It wasn’t long before I noticed headlights heading our way and soon spotted my dad's car with my mom and dad in it.

Well, it’s time. Shiners took off in the direction of the ‘cabin.

I will watch a bit more, and join you before they get there. I wanted to see how they were reacting to all this.

My mom and dad got out of the car and looked to Charlie. My dad said, “So where is he? Why make us go all the way out here, and not to your house? And why leave my daughter with a babysitter?” he asked. He didn't look very happy.

I couldn’t help but chuckle nervously internally as it was like my dad to get to the point.

Charlie sighed. “Mike…is going through some things that are complicated. It’s easier for you to see them yourself. And Mike was unsure about Sarah knowing about it, as she might accidentally tell others.”

My mom spoke up, “He’s not in trouble, is he?” She had a rather worried look on her face.

My thoughts got interrupted as Shiners chimed in, Is everything going okay over there?

Yeah, they are just asking questions. They asked all the right questions, but it made me nervous about how they would react to the answers.

Charlie motioned to the campsite. “Just head in, and you will understand.” he turned to head in, with my parents following. I took to the air and flew into the campsite with only my mom seeming to notice my presence. She looked up as I flew overhead.

A few minutes later, I was standing behind a picnic table beside the cabin feeling more than a bit vulnerable on the ground, but thought that coming out this way might be better than just dropping out of the sky and such. Shiners was standing on a different table a short distance away; Visible but not in a threatening way.

Upon arriving, my mom looked around and asked, “So where is he? I don’t see anyone other than that crow over there.” She motioned to Shiners, who I could hear a brief laugh from mentally.

Charlie sighed. “Your son is here…he’s behind the picnic table there…and he’s nervous, so please don’t panic or think this is a joke. It’s all real.”

My dad frowned. “This is getting ridiculous; if he’s here, then have him show up.”

I took a deep breath as Charlie said, “Okay….you can come out Mike.”

It took me a moment to build up the final courage, but I stepped out from behind the table in full view of them.

Charlie pointed to me. “This is what has happened to Mike.”

I didn’t realize that I was holding my breath, but let it out as I spotted the confusion and hint of anger and disbelief in my parents. My dad's fists balled up and my mom was giving Charlie a questioning look.