Author's Notes:

I couldn't find a video that had everything I wanted, so here's the deal. Go on Youtube, search 'baby screaming', and open say... oh, I dunno, the first twenty or so video links. Have them play at the same time, and then read the chapter while they're playing.

It's been... three? months since Seth was born, and he just... he won't stop. He just... won't... stop. I feed him, I burp him, I wash him, a sing to him, I stroke his fur, and his downy fluff, I make faces, I nuzzle, I do ALL THE THINGS GOOD MOMMIES DO. I took him to the doctor, and apparently, there's nothing wrong, so why then.... why won't he shut up? It's been... three months? Three? Or is it four? Longer? I don't know. I've lost track of the days, no real point in knowing what day it is, or when day is, or night, because it's not like I sleep. Sometimes a whole day goes by and I don't even notice it's gone.

I'd ask someone to babysit, but I just can't bear to let Seth out of my sight, for even a second. Since Griffin isn't here to protect him, it's dangerous. What if someone comes after him, and I'm not here? Can't risk it... can't risk it.. Griffin was supposed to be here to help. Why..? Why isn't... why here, not he, him not... him gone?

"Seth... shh... shh... mommy's here...mommy's here... mommy's hair? I have no hair! I pulled it all out!.... or did I not have hair to begin with? Right... feathers, I'm a griffin... where's Griffin? Hush little baby don't say a word... momma's gonna buy you a mocking bird, and if that mocking bird don't sing, mamma's gonna buy you a diamond ring, and if that diamond ring turns brass, momma's gonna haul off and spank your ass..... WHAT AM I SAYING?"

When was the last time I slept? When was the last time I ate? The answer... the last time Seth fell asleep. When was the last time Seth fell asleep? I... don... kno...

*Knock knock knock*

"Hello? Ms Oro? Gilda, are you there?"

I moved to answer the door, Seth in my arms. On opening it, I saw the doctor... Doctor... horse...'n sumthing.

"Oh... come on in... Docotr.. hrmarurml" I mumbled his name, cuz I really just couldn't remember it at that point.

"I'm just here to follow up on Seth's checkup. Aww... look at the cutie." As I looked down into my arms, Seth was fast asleep. "Hey there little guy..." I immediately clamped my claw around the doctor's muzzle, gripping it so tightly as to draw blood as I held it shut.

"You.... noises... make.... no.... You make noise, I kill." Seeming to take the hint, the doctor ever so slowly backpedaled out the door, closing it without making a single sound. I carefully crept across the floor of my apartment, my whole body twitching as I tried not to disturb the bomb I was carrying. Ever so gently, gently, gently..... I lowered the screaming monstrosity into a soft, comfy, warm, safe crib, with pillows made from my own feathers so he'd still feel like I was holding him and still be able to smell me so he wouldn't freak out the second I set him down. Gently, gently.....

The instant the tiniest tip of his tail touched the bed, his eyes opened wide, and for a moment, I swore they turned black as the darkest pit of hell as he took a great breath in preparation, and let out an ear piercing wail. I was overcome by a sudden sense of bliss as I simply set him down in his crib, walked away, and crawled to the couch before letting myself pass out.

I don't know how long I slept, but when I awoke, I had the feeling something was distinctly wrong. My eyes jolted to Seth's crib, Seth's empty crib, before darting to the window I had so carelessly left open.

"Oh MY GOD NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" I jumped up from where I lay and ran around the room frantically, screaming my head off in a panic before in my frenzy, my gaze fell on the couch I had just been laying on, and there he was, stretching himself out. While I slept, he had crawled out of his crib, over to me, up onto the couch so he could lay by my side. I slowly walked over to him and nuzzled him. "Seth, please, don't scare me like that again..."

And, right as I said those words, the little shit had the nerve to hold up his claw, put a single talon to my beak and say 'Shh', before curling up and falling back asleep.