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This would be the last time I would ever see that place. I tried my best to take it all in one last time. Usually, I would have laid on the seat and tried to sleep through the drive, but I tried to see everything I could this time. Eli's house was inside a small wood, and his drive seemed to wind around trees and obstacles before finally letting out onto a paved road. I could grip the door handle and perch myself in a comfortable position. That gave me a great view out of the passenger window; luckily, no one was around to see a hawk sitting shotgun.

Eli was quiet during the drive. Eventually, the surroundings grew familiar as we approached the sanctuary. Pulling into the gravel driveway, Eli skipped the parking lot and drove up the path to the main building. A light cloud of dust passed us after we stopped. Eli inspected himself and checked to make sure no feathers were showing. He took a deep breath and stepped out of the van.

"Oh, you brought him with you too!" the uniformed employee spoke. "I've heard a lot about him." She stared at me through the window.

"He's certainly a special hawk," Eli chuckled before guiding her to the back.

I stepped across the chair and watched Eli remove Willow's cage. His hand trembled as he gently set the cage down. He kneeled to the ground out of my view and chittered at the cage before standing up.

"She's not used to being left alone out of her cage. You have to make sure to make noise when she's out. She gets worried if you don't," Eli said, holding his hands behind him.

"Don't worry, we can handle her. She's in good hands here," the employee said, rubbing the cage. "What is it you have going on?"

"I've got some stuff to work on, personal stuff. I just can't give her the care she needs now," Eli's voice cracked.

The keeper tried to put her arm around Eli, but he pulled away. She dropped her arm to her side and then held her balled-up hand. Eli handed her a folder and informed her that this was everything she would need to know about Willow. We watched as she carried the cage inside. She stopped and gave a wave before Eli got back into the van.

"That's two, and now it's time to take you home," Eli said, wiping his face.

Part of me wishes I could have seen Damien one last time before I left. I already had the chance once and should be grateful for it. I still didn't know if he could remember me; something in me said he was happy to see me, and maybe that's best left alone. The parking area was busy. Many people were there and admired him, I'm sure of it.

We continued our drive, this time back to the rehab. I had a strange mix of emotions on the way. I was sad to leave Eli, especially now knowing what was coming for him. I was also happy to be going back to the rehab, knowing I was getting ever closer to my release, but I had no way of knowing what may have happened to Alex. She seemed shocked by my leaving, so I could only imagine what happened while I was away. Maybe it was good for her; she would have time to readjust. I only hoped there would be something human to return to.

"I know how I plan to end it, Lyall," Eli interrupted my thoughts. "I spent my best years in that little house in the woods. I told myself I would live my life close to what I love. I don't think there is a better place for me than those trees. Maybe Romeo will share it with me," he chuckled to himself. "I still have a little bit before it’s time, but I think I'm going on my terms, like yourself. I like the thought of that." Eli nodded his head slowly, staring forward at the road.

I cocked my head and nodded, trying to give some assurance. It pained me to think of Eli going through the final changes alone, but he seemed set on not telling anyone. I couldn't help but wonder what would have happened to him. It sounded like he may have visited a specialist, but knowing his skills with birds, maybe he handled everything himself. It may be what he wants, but he doesn't deserve to go alone.

The drive from Pines to the rehab was the longest stretch of the trip. Eli lived significantly closer to the sanctuary than my hometown. I guess that's what I got for paying attention this time. The landmarks became increasingly memorable, things I had seen long ago during my drives on this same road. I was never good with road names; I always did better by remembering my surroundings. That only seemed to be made better by being a hawk, visually navigating myself.

We turned off the main stretch of road and away from the city; if we kept going forward, we would have gotten very close to the Bird House. The streets eventually lost their lane markings and sank deeper into the trees. Finally, we arrived at the rehab, and I scrambled to see what vehicles were parked outside. I was elated to see Elizabeth's and Alex's cars parked outside. Eli pulled his van into the nearest spot to the door and roughly threw the vehicle into park. A quick turn of the key brought the engine to silence, only occasionally broken by the quiet pops of the cooling engine.

"We made it," Eli said tiredly. "Do I look alright?" He began to pat around the edges of his shirt for feathers. "I feel bad trying to hide them, but I don't know if I can take the pity. The last thing I want is everyone telling me how bad they feel for me. Yes, it sucks, but I don't want to be reminded of that every wakin' moment."

I gave a quick glance at Eli before nodding my head. He chuckled before undoing his seatbelt and stepping out of the car. He walked around to my side and opened the door. I stepped onto Eli's hand, not thinking it would probably be the last time. My mind was still stuck on ensuring Alex was alright; in hindsight, I felt I partly ignored Eli.

We walked into the rehab, and I immediately felt at home. Eli initially waited at the front desk before continuing down the hallway. We came across the first of the two observation rooms, the one I stayed in. Upon opening the door, I saw some of the back wall cages had animals inside them. The room was significantly more rambunctious than before, and Elizabeth was working on her computer before she turned to us in surprise.

"Well, hello, you two! How does it feel, Lyall?" She lifted her arm like she was stretching her shoulder.

I nodded my head and opened my wings, not expecting to feel the slight tingle from my previously broken wing. I quickly closed it, trying not to bring attention to it.

"Oh my god, Eli, thank you for doing this for him. You have no idea how worried I was for him," Elizabeth said, leaning her hands against the stainless steel desk behind her.

"He's been wonderful to work with, never worked with a bird quite like him." Eli smiled, his thumb massaging my talon. "How've you been holding up?" Eli looked around the room.

"Busy, busy, busy! While having a room dedicated to Lyall was nice, having both available to us now has been great." Elizabeth turned to me, "I'm sorry, but you'll probably have to share the space until you are ready to head out."

I looked around the previously empty room. Only a few of the cages were in use. From what I could see, there was an opossum in one, and a few others had towels obscuring the contents. I could hear things inside the cages, but couldn't discern what was inside most of them. I would only be here a few more days, and I could share the space. It was how I would have been treated had they not known I was previously a human.

I could hear the door to the hall slip open. I was too busy trying to identify the creatures in the cage, but Elizabeth called, "Alex! Just in time. Eli and Lyall are back." I quickly turned to the figure in the doorway; although Elizabeth said Alex, she did not look how I had remembered.

White and black feathers covered most of her body, except some of her face. Her feet were fully feathered, and her toes were entirely that of an owl. Only the tiny black tips of her talons peeked out from the feathers. Her feathers continued up her legs and met with her torso and tail. She wore no clothing, much like I was in the later stages; a layer of feathers covered her. White and black feathers hung from her arms, and feathered hands were visible at the ends of her newly formed wings. She no longer held her arms at her sides but folded them with her hands held near her breast. Her head moved in quick motions only to be held perfectly still otherwise. There was no arguing; she was much closer to a bird than a human.

"Hey, Lyall," Alex said, her voice sounding rough but still recognizably hers. She stepped closer, her talons clicking on the tile floor with every step. As she got closer, I noticed she was slightly shorter than before. From my best guesses, she may have lost a foot of height. I was incredibly worried for her, but also excited to see her again. I couldn't help but droop my wings and give a loud chirp. She reached a wing up to my head and caressed my head feathers, my hawk instincts telling me to fear her yellow eyes. I tried to relax, giving the human feelings more control, and the instincts faded.

"Your feathers are beautiful, Alex," Eli said, looking at her long coat.

Alex giggled, "Thanks, Eli. You're the first who didn't freak out at them."

"Lyall doesn't seem to mind them," Eli chuckled back.

"No, but he understands. He knew what it was like," Alex said, pulling her hand away from my head. Little did she know, Eli would soon know the same sensations.

Elizabeth nodded her head. "Eli, why don't we talk out front and let these two catch up?" Eli turned and looked at me nervously before setting me on the table and following Elizabeth out the door.

Once the door clicked shut, Alex let out a large sigh leading into a hoot. "My god, I'm glad to see you again, Lyall. I couldn't control myself. I made a huge mistake, and now I'm like this," she said, holding her arms out. "I knew it would feel different, but I feel so at peace now. I don't feel it fighting me anymore, but it hurt to do so late." She closed her eyes.

I wasn't following what she was saying, still trying to figure out what she meant before she wrapped her wings around me and drew me into a hug. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you are still yourself. I thought hunting would bring the hawk out too far and make you forget us."

I closed my eyes and felt her feathers against my body. I felt emotional finally seeing her again and seeing what happened while I was gone. What could I have done to stop it? If I had stayed, maybe she wouldn't have been this far.

"Everyone at the house is going to be happy you are back! I would drive us, but I don't think I can fit the glove on anymore. My hands still have fingers, but these damn feathers make it so difficult anymore." Alex flexed her fingers. "I'm sure we will find you a way there."

We stood together in the room silently for a while. The occasional sound from a cage and the hum of the HVAC were the only sounds to break the silence. I laid on the cold metal tabletop, finally feeling comfortable in a familiar place. I wanted to sleep but didn't want to waste my time with Alex.

An unknown amount of time passed before Eli and Elizabeth entered the room. Both were laughing and joking with each other. I lifted my head to look at the two of them. Elizabeth tried to place a hand on Eli's shoulder, but she pulled away quickly. She didn't seem to think much about it and laughed it off.

"Well, it's time for me to go, Lyall. Maybe someday we will meet out there again. I'll be watching out for you," Eli smiled and gave my head a rough scratching. I chirped back before he turned to exit.

"Eli, next time you are down, you should bring Romeo. I haven't seen him since you first found the poor little thing," Elizabeth said.

Eli's face sunk a little, "yeah, I'll have to bring him next time. He'd love to see you again." Eli then closed the door, and I was again alone with Alex and Elizabeth.

"I bet you two had fun," Elizabeth said to me.

I nodded, knowing there was much more to my time with Eli than they could ever guess. I only wish I could have been there when his time came.