Island Legend

On a little island far out in the ocean, at night when all was still and quiet . . . WHOOOOOOOOO. The wind eerily whistled through weeds and tree branches, moving them like a hand brushing the crisp green leaves. WHOOOOOOO. Birds shifted nervously in their nests, sensing that something weird was in the air. WHOOOOOOOOOO.
    
In the dark shadows of a gray cave, something stirred. Something rose on four quick, strong legs and stretched. It yawned and opened two ice-blue eyes. It walked to the entrance of the cave on four silent paws, never once making a sound.
    
The wind moaned as a cloud covered the moon, cutting off the silver light to the island. All the animals held their breaths as the mysterious SOMETHING stepped out of the cave and onto cool, spring grass. Even the fireflies ceased glowing, and the sea gulls nesting on the cliffs were silent. Then the moon broke free of the cloud’s grasp, and the little island was bathed again in silver light.
    
All the creatures of the island seemed to gasp as the mysterious thing, the likes of which no one had ever seen before, was revealed. It had the body and head of a cat and the wings of an eagle. The fur was sleek and the color of milk chocolate. The paws had long, retractable claws, which were more like talons. It had a long tail, the same color as the rest of its body. The wings were covered in feathers of gold. The creature raised its head and roared, as if to say, I am mighty.
    
The creatures of the island were petrified with fear, and they could not take their eyes off this horrifying, yet so majestic, animal. The half cat, half eagle roared again, fire pouring out of the animal’s throat. The fire lit up the island, and those nearest the creature burned up. Then the creature was gone. Only a puff of smoke remained, to prove this had all happened.