Byrds by Emma K Somers (i can read book club .TXT) 📕

Prologue

I crouched behind the foliage with Mum, Wren,and Palila as the soldiers walked underneath me. I held my breath, my heart beating rapidly beneath my white cotton tee. Mum had pulled Falcon, Wren, Palila, and me out of the house. Dad was waiting for us outside, and handed us each a burlap sack. On the way here Mum had explained to us our predicament. We were being hunted down, accused of being Magics.Let's start at the beginning, though. I'm Alouette Byrd. The last name points to where we all got our names. My mother's name is Haven, but Dad's name is Phoenix. I guess it's a tradition, or at least so Dad says. Rajve, the ruler of Onjii. We were over ruled 70 years ago and Hawaiians, Cubans, and other natives of various tropical islands, were all brought here to start a new colony, funded by England. Rajve is from an island off of India, Grande Island.
As soon as the soldiers were far enough away, Mum whistled a soft low note, the signal for Dad and Falcon to come back. They appeared beside us and Dad led us out onto the beach. He whistled a quick soft, melodic harmony and a boat appeared before us. The Robin was eggshell blue and cushioned seats were inside. We all boarded the ship, and Dad used the rows to push off. Soon we were sailing off to freedom.

Chapter 1

When we were far enough away from the island, Dad turned on the boat’s engine, and- VROOM - we were off, flying across the salty water, ocean spray hitting my face. The boat was pretty spacious for a row boat. It was no Titanic, but it was comfy and hopefully more stable and sound. Dad was steering the boat and Falcon, who’s 16, is reading him coordinates off a tattered old map. Palila is only six and she already fell asleep on Mum’s lap. Wren’s 10 and she sat next to me, eying me adoringly. She always claims I’m her idol, which obviously makes me feel great. I’m 14, four years older than Wren, eight years older than Lils, and 2 years younger than Falcon. Our family has never been exactly normal. Falcon’s alright, he plays on the island’s high school hockey team, preferring the cold of the rink to the steaming heat of the island. I am the opposite of all the other island girls. They only care about jewelry, clothes, boys, and tanning. I mean come on we’re already tan people! I like swimming in the ocean and exploring the jungles. They’re afraid something will eat them. I wish, I thought absently. I’m always at the beach, reading a lot, or writing: in my journal, stories, poems, songs. The elders on the island like me ‘cause I love listening to their ancient stories and legends, or cooking up old family recipes for them. The 80 year old seniors are so much cooler than the teenagers my age. Wren does whatever I do, which leads me to feel guilty. Like, if it weren’t for me and my rebellious ways she could be normal. No one’s mean to her, she’s too nice, but she has no real close friends. They all are friendly, but not really close. Me on the other hand… Well let’s just say that sarcasm, rebels, attitudes, and actual personalities aren’t appreciated on Onjii. Mum and Dad are pretty normal. Mum’s just more independent than other island women, and Dad’s smarter. A lot of the men on Onjii are all brawn and no brain. The four of us, Falcon, Wren, Palila and I, are the only kids on the entire island who can read and write! Rajve forbid it when he was elected “president”. Our ‘democracy’ went out the window as soon as Rajve was chosen. More like a dictatorship nowadays. I leaned back on the soft plush seats and felt Wren lean back too, her head on my shoulder. I was too tired too question anything aloud, so I said it mentally. Where and what is Reese Island? Where did the Robin come from anyways?, I thought before falling into a deep, unconscious sleep.

Publication Date: 11-01-2011

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