[#FFFFFF]

Snuffing a small cigarette butt out using his shoe, Nickolai put his hand over his eyes and looked up at the sky. He longed to be able to fly again... He could fly short distances... But it didn't used to be that way. He could fly all he wanted and never get tired. He sighed softly as he looked towards his shoulders. He didn't have his wings out at the moment. He was walking through the woods, headed for a small field. He was planning on giving his wings a little exercise. All he could hope for was that his wings just weren't ruined... He wanted to be able to use them as he wished... But he knew that wasn't going to happen. He was just doomed to a life on this mortal plane... A life that was never ended.

Seeing the edge of the woods, Nickolai began to unbutton his shirt down the front. He didn't want to ruin it when he decided it was time to bring out his wings. He closed his eyes for a moment when he undid the last button. That was when he broke the canopy of trees and looked out over the field. He flexed his shoulders lightly and then held his breath. His wings shot straight out of his back and it left his body a little shaky. It had been a while since he did this, so it hurt him a little to have them out. He got over it and he stretched them a little. They felt stronger than normal and he liked that... He liked it a lot...

Pushing upwards with his wings, it only took a few flaps for him to be off the ground. He got up a few feet and felt an updraft... That was what he wanted. He closed his eyes and rode that draft as high as it would take him. He then opened his eyes and looked down at the large field and the small farm house. It didn't used to be small... But he was just up so high... Then he saw some black feathers below him... Looking back at his wings, he realized the holes in them had gotten larger... His eyes widened and then before he knew it, the ground was rushing up to meet him. He extended his wings and they took most of the speed from his fall, but not enough to keep him conscious after he hit the ground.