Maha by @wolf (Courtney Davidson)

As much as I liked the original, I wanted to re-do it with more detail.

Maha had slept fitfully, her dreams tormented with memories of shouting people and fearful eyes, and pain. She rose from the cold cobblestone of the alley’s street, where she had huddled in the shadow along the side of the building, knowing she would find no rest. This part of town was relatively quiet, since it was probably after midnight. In the distance, a dog barked a few times, his voice carrying quickly through the night.

The streetlight filtered into the alley, filling it with shadows. Her wings stung a bit, and her body ached from the day’s ordeal. The night was cool, and she shivered a bit, longing for the warm, soft bed she had known before.

She couldn’t go back. As much as that kind woman had cared for her, Maha couldn’t bear to bring that woman pain. They had hurt the woman because of Maha.

Why...? Why did they hate her so much? Why was she different? What was wrong with her, that seperated her from everyone else?

Her mind numbed with exhaustion, she stared off into the shadows, a tear staining her cheek.

After a long moment, a dark form moved before her. She wasn’t afraid; she didn’t feel any danger. With hollow eyes, she looked up into his face.

He had ears like hers.

She watched him, her face blank with exhaustion. Without saying a word, he gently held out a gloved hand, pity and understanding in his eyes.