18 ── cabin 2 ── vulture inhuman ── bird communication/control ── tagged: none
- Muriel had woken up early, as she did most days, but most days she had things to do in the morning. Most days, she didn't awake in the middle of a remote forest, with only fifteen other kids her age and absolutely nothing to do. She needed to be productive, needed to achieve something, but she wasn't sure how possible that would be during her time at Camp Corvid.
The sun was still barely turning the sky grey when the bird girl slipped silently out of her cabin and to the washrooms, changing into a red flannel shirt and black pants, rolling the sleeves up just far enough that they still hid the patches of russet and white feathers that sprouted in the crooks of her elbows. Then she brushed out her hair, once again annoyed at having to be here and hide her appearance like this. At home, she could normally count on her mom and brother being out all day, so she could wear short sleeves and put her hair up. She couldn't do that here, surrounded by other people.
Not seeing anyone out yet, Muriel pulled her hair over one shoulder and stared at her reflection in the mirror, frowning at the shadows under her eyes. Her hands found the shark tooth she wore on a cord around her neck, fingers slipping into the familiar pattern learned from years of repetitive motion. After a moment, she took out her phone, locating her music app and shuffling a playlist before digging around in her pockets for earbuds.
She did not want to be here. She wasn't even sure what had compelled her mother to send her here, much less not force her brother to come along. Oh well. Muriel could survive for however long she had to stay here. But if they planned on forcing her to participate in any group activities, she would riot.
Leaving the washroom, Muriel leaned back against the wooden side of the building and stuffed her hands into the pockets of her pants, watching the sun rise over the treetops, spilling golden light through the branches. She could never just stay in one place without fidgeting, and it showed now too, her fingers inside her pockets tapping out the beat of the music that pulsed in her ears. A large black bird fluttered its wings in a treetop above her, joined by another before long. Muriel let out a faint huff. Crows. Of course. "Well, as long as you don't get too close and give me away," she murmured, words mostly for herself. A few other people were starting to emerge by now- it looked like her first real day at camp was about to begin. She hadn't seen any of the staff out yet, and that was a little odd; odd enough to send a prickle of apprehension down her spine. Shouldn't they be the first ones up, preparing breakfast for the others?