Both Shae and Andromeda gasped this time.

     They finally saw the burn scars that plagued the entirety of the left side of my face. My left eye was missing and from my forehead down my face and onto my neck was covered in horrible burn scars. 

     I started full on sobbing and both women pulled me into a tight embrace. After letting me go, Andromeda was the first to speak. 

     “Milo, how did this happen? These scars?” the air felt heavy and I couldn’t bear to even look at them. Thoughts started to race through my mind. What if they hate me now? Will they tell anyone? Will I be able to walk around town anymore? I started to panic again. The familiar feeling of the panic surging up from my stomach and taking control. Seeing he panic on my face, Shae tried to comfort me. 

     “Milo? Milo? It’s going to be fine, just don’t think about any of the bad things. Focus on me. I don’t care if you have scars. You’ll always be the same to me. I’ll always make sure you are safe. Don’t worry. I’m here. Just focus on me right now.” Shae pulled me into a hug trying to get me to relax. After I had calmed down a bit, Shae loosened her grip and sat back to look at me. 

     “Why don’t you go take a shower, you know, to warm up a bit. You’re still freezing.” She helped me up, making sure to stabilize me, because I was still shaky from my panic attack. 

     After showing me to the shower, Shae gave me one more quick hug and left the room. I looked at my face in the mirror. I still hated the awful scars that would always plague my existence. 

     Looking away, I quickly undressed and stepped into the shower. Turning it on, I closed my eyes as the hot water cascaded over my body. I couldn’t believe it. I had hidden my scars from everyone for more than a year and a half. Sure, there were questions when I first came to town, I mean one of my wings was badly scarred, but overtime it was covered with feathers again. But why now. Things were going my way for once in my life, and that was all gone now. 

     As the water soaked my wings, I grabbed my left one, examining the scars through the feathers. A few places still didn’t have feathers and would never regrow them. I wondered if I could still fly. It had been so long since I tried to fly. I missed the feeling of the wind beneath my wings. The pure excitement of being able to soar above the clouds. Weaving in and out of the trees. 

     Before the incident, I used to be quite popular in my school. I had a lot of friends and was one of the best flyers in my year. I still couldn’t believe that I used to be like that. This made me grin. Thinking back to when I was always boasting about my abilities, grades, and just being kind of cocky or arrogant in general. Back then if I saw what I would become, I wouldn’t believe it. I still can’t believe it. 

     Rinsing off the dirt and sweat off, I winced as I lifted my arms. Turns out sleeping outside on the cold, hard ground will cause you to be sore. 

     After finishing up, I stepped out of the shower, grabbing the towel that Shae set out for me and wrapping it around myself. Stepping in front of the mirror, I again, examined the scars running up and down my body. I couldn't help but turn away from the ugly sight before me.