In a village not too big, there was a cat named Zenix. Zenix wasn’t like any of the other cats in the village, he was a cat who was born with wings. He sometimes got bullied by other cats because of his wings. The other cats would call Zenix mean names and would tell him that he would never be a part of the village, like everyone else. To them, Zenix wasn’t normal, they called him “the unidentified creature.” Of course Zenix’s parents still cared for him like any others would. Even though Zenix experienced all of this, he still stayed positive.

Zenix was a very adventurous cat and liked to explore while also learning new things. He believed that he could accomplish anything if he put his mind to it. Zenix was also really kind hearted, he didn’t care about others’ differences. However, even though Zenix was born with wings, he never knew how to use them. He attempted flying many times, but never fully could. The closest he could get was drifting above the ground for only a few seconds. His repeated failed attempts caused Zenix to be unsure about whether he enjoyed having his wings. None of the other cats in the village liked him, he couldn’t fit in and be “normal”, and worst of all he didn’t even know how to fly.

One day, Zenix was wandering around the village until he saw a group of cats together near the side of a cliff. Below the cliff was a long fall right into a forest full of many trees. From where he sat, it just looked like a bunch of cats playing together. However, as he went over to get a closer look, Zenix realized that the group of cats weren’t just all playing around, they were bullying a cat that was just slightly smaller than them. When Zenix saw this smaller cat being bullied by the other cats, he quickly dashed over there and approached them.

With Zenix’s back facing the little cat in a defensive position, Zenix was met face to face with the bullies as they each gave him a mean glare. At that point, Zenix realized how much bigger the group of cats looked compared to him. Zenix suddenly started to doubt himself for approaching the cats, but Zenix knew he had to do something. He couldn’t just leave this lonely cat by himself, who knows what could have happened if he didn’t come in time. Zenix’s heart started to beat really fast, not knowing what to do next. Zenix thought to himself, “Should we run?? Call for help?? No, no one can hear us this far from the village..what should I do?”One of the cats approached Zenix, it was a big fluffy female Siamese cat with ocean blue eyes.

“That must be their leader”, Zenix says to himself.

The Siamese cat looked at the smaller cat behind Zenix.

“Wow, you need some other cat to step up for you since you can’t defend yourself, pawthetic” said the Siamese cat.

“What did this cat ever do to you? Why are you bullying him!”, exclaims Zenix.

“None of your business kid. Go find somewhere else to play the hero, you don’t stand a chance with us.”, replied the Siamese cat.

“Oh yeah! I’m not afraid of you!”, Zenix yells as his wings spring up from his back in a defense like position. The expressions of the cats in the group changed from mean to surprised. All except one, the small cat Zenix was trying to protect. The small cat was the only one who looked on in amazement and admiration.

All the cats were too focused on each other to realize Zenix’s wings when he first approached everyone.

“Wait, aren’t you that cat everyone is talking about? What do they call you again? Oh yeah, the undefined creature haha!”, exclaims the Siamese cat as the rest of the cats join in the laughter.

“Taunt me all you want but you still can’t hurt me!”, remarked Zenix. The Siamese cat glared at Zenix and took three steps closer forcing him and the little cat behind him to move back. The group of cats then followed what the Siamese cat did and also took three steps forward as well. It’s silent now. No one’s talking. All you can hear was the sound of the trees rustling in the wind. The Siamese cat took more steps closer until Zenix realized what she was trying to do. “The only reason why she kept walking forward and making us move back is to corner us on the edge so we can't escape!” Zenix thought to himself.

“I bet you probably don’t even know how to fly”

“Of course I do!” Zenix replied quickly without hesitating.

“Then prove it”

The Siamese cat took one more step closer then-

WHOOSH!!

The little cat Zenix was trying to protect slipped off the edge of the cliff!! The little cat let out a small cry for help. Zenix panicked and didn’t know what to do. “Should I jump off and save him?? But how..the Siamese cat was right I can’t fly...but I can’t just let that little cat fall.

I have to do something. Come on Zenix. You can fly.” He told himself. Zenix immediately ran to the edge of the cliff and jumped right off to save the little cat. Zenix saw how the scared little cat kept his eyes shut the whole time. While Zenix tried to reach for the cat he also had to concentrate on trying to fly.

“Why aren’t we flying yet?? Is this a prank? You said you know how to fly..right??”

“Uh..”

“Please tell me this is a prank and you actually know how to fly.”

“Well you see-”

“You can’t fly can you.” the cat said in a low toned voice.

“I can drift above the ground for a few seconds..if that answers your question..?”

“Just. purrfect.” , the cat said in the most sarcastic voice.

Zenix closed his eyes calmly. “Fly” he told himself. “Just concentrate. And fly.”

I know you can do it.

“Fly”

Focus.

“Fly”

You have wings.

“Fly”

Now use them already!

Zenix finally opened his eyes with a determined like expression. He spread his wings out far without hesitation like as if he’s done this easily many times before. Without even realizing it, Zenix was gliding through the air with the little cat riding on his back!!

“..I did it..I’m..FLYING!” , Zenix exclaimed.

“You did it!!” said the little cat happily.

Zenix was so excited that he lost his focus on flying as he almost crashed into a tree. He remembered to stay calm and focus on flying until then his wings began to move again. It’s been more than 10 minutes and Zenix was still flying in the air.

“I think I’m getting the hang of it now haha, this is kinda fun. Maybe having wings aren’t too bad after all!”

Zenix safely flew back up the cliff and landed right near a park close to the village.

“Thanks for saving me back there, not just when I fell but also with those mean bullies.”

“No problem!”

“What’s your name?”

“It’s Biscuit! What about you??”

“Zenix! It’s getting kind of late, let’s meet back here tomorrow!"

“Okay!”

“Nice meeting you Biscuit byeee..!

The next day came, Biscuit did what Zenix asked as they both met up at the same park. While Biscuit played on the swings Zenix climbed up the play structure to the highest point. “Now that I know that I can actually fly properly, I just need a little practice!” Zenix said happily to himself.

Zenix sat at the top of the play structure, he stayed focussed in his mind. When ever Zenix felt like he was ready, he would jump off the high play structure and attempted to glide from there safely. Until he got the hang of that, he moved on to taller structures and continued practicing from there, then after he got used to that instead of increasing the height he would increase the distance from point A to point B, and so on.

After a week has passed of Zenix practicing his flying skills, he now flies like it’s second nature. Zenix was easily successful in teaching himself how to fly, and all it took was a little hard work and concentration. One day as Zenix was peacefully walking to the park to meet his best friend Biscuit like usual, he accidentally bumped into the Siamese cat on the way.

“Watch where you’re going kid!” , the Siamese cat snapped.

“Sorry I didn’t mean to- wait..why should I be apologizing to you?? You’re the one that should be apologizing to me and Biscuit! We almost died because of you!! Thankfully I have wings to fly so I was able to save him. Don’t ever do that again!”

“You can’t tell me what to do!” , shouted the Siamese cat. “Oh so you do know how to fly, huh?”

“Of course I do. Duh, what kind of cat with wings doesn’t even know how to fly? That’s a stupid question.” , Zenix said nervously.

“Whatever kid. Also, don’t ever think of crossing paths with me again, and if you do, you’ll regret it. Plus, you’ll never be apart of this village, you were probably a mistake anyway. I wouldn’t be surprised if any time sooner your cat friend will soon stay far away from you, who would wanna hang out with you, you undefined creature. Ruin someone else’s life.. ”

The Siamese cat walked away. At that instant, Zenix felt a strong pang of pain in his chest. He ran and flew straight to the park as tears started to run down his cheeks.

Zenix finally made it to the park as Biscuit was already there waiting.

“Hey, sorry I’m late! I..uh bumped into....uh...actually nevermind!”

“Oh okay..”

Biscuit could tell by how unsure Zenix looked that something must have happened before he got here. “Zenix always has a smile on his face....what could have happened..?” Biscuit thought to himself.

“Let’s go sit on the swings” , said Biscuit.

“Okay..”

After a long silence has passed, Zenix looked down at the floor and finally decided to say something.

“We probably shouldn't be friends anymore..before I ruin your life even more, I know you’re probably just being nice to me now to return the favor of me saving you, but-”

“What? Who says you’re ruining my life? You actually made it better, or rather interesting. I may have other friends, but none of them stuck up for me like you did, and most importantly, neither of them have wings. Others may think you’re weird just because you have wings and act like it’s a bad thing, but I think they are amazing!"

Zenix raised his head up slowly and turned it so he was looking at Biscuit.

“Really...? You..like my..wings..?”

“Yes! I think they look cool!!” Biscuit said with a warm smile on his face, “So still friends?”

“Of course!”

Zenix’s expression changed from gloomy to happy.

“You know, haven’t you ever wondered where you came from? Like how you got your wings? I mean it’s obvious that there must be other kinds like you. Neither of your parents have wings either.”

“All my life I’ve been trying to fit in, but never actually thought about why I should. Pretending to be something I’m not just because I’m different from everyone, I guess I just wanted feel “normal” for once.”

“Oh! I got it!! Maybe your ancestors were also cats with wings..which means one of your parents also carried the trait of wings..but for some reason they weren’t born with them, maybe there’s a possibility that there are still others like you! You just have to find them! But how will you do that..how will you know which way to go?”

“If you are right about this, then maybe if I look through some old stuff lying around the house, that might give us some clues on how to find them! I’m sure of it! I’ll go back home and start looking!” said Zenix excitedly.