Thakery was cold, and tired, his stomach growled in hunger, he hadn't eaten in days. It wasn't easy finding food for himself. But this was nothing unexpected to him. He had always been ready for the worst, so when his parents abandoned him, it hadn't been much of a surprise.
He felt a raindrop on his nose and looked up at the darkening sky. He looked around, crawling on his front wings and back legs into a dark nearby cave. He curled up in a ball and shivered. He was just about to fall asleep when he heard scuffling at the head of the cave. He looked up to see another cabal, standing in the front of the cave, head held high, looking at him with a single stern but concerned eye.
"Can I help you youngster?" He asked. Thakery winced, not knowing what to say. He looked outside, it was pouring now, he couldn't go back out there, but what other option did he have? This space was clearly taken. He stood up, stumbling on his wing and headed for the mouth of the cave.
"Hey hey," the older of the two said, "you can't go back out there".
Thakery looked up at him with a questioning glance. The other cabal tilted his head at him, "Why don't you stay here?"
Thakery bowed his head, "I dunno sir-"
"Franklin, call me Franklin".
"K, Franklin...I don't want to disturb you".
He went to leave but found Franklin standing on his tail, "No disturbance, really. Take a seat".
Thakery sat, frowning.
"Where are your parents?" Franklin asked.
"I dunno," he answered, "gone".
Franklin laid down, closing his eyes. "You're staying here".
Thakery blinked in surprise, and was going to respond, but Franklin was already purring in his sleep. He laid down and closed his eyes, folding his wings under his head. Franklin cracked an eye opened and smiled, and that was how he became Thakery's guardian.