A Lost Pigeon in NYC: S.O.S.
A hitch in the plan...
Hi everyone!
Just like with The Beast of the Forest, I think it’s for the best that I just focus on Lew’s story for the time being. As much as I liked the idea of jumping between multiple different stories, I think it’s better for readers (and for me) to just focus on one story at a time. It means shorter wait times between chapters and it means cliffhangers can be fun and exciting rather than frustrating (since this way you will only have to wait a week to find out what happens next). Rest assured, Princess Hanna will definitely return!
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Now, please enjoy!
I waited with Francois on the shallow ledge of the building just across the street from the mall. It was still early in the day and the streets below us were full of action.
Francois was in bad shape. He didn’t say anything, except for the occasional groan as he readjusted how he was sitting. His wing was in far worse shape than my brief injury when I first arrived at the city. It was astounding that he had even been able to make it as far as he had.
Eventually, Francois found a comfortable position and seemed almost even to relax. I gave him some time to rest, but I was eager to hear his story.
“So what happened in there?” I asked him finally when the time felt right.
He took a deep breath and then he told me his story.
“It was all going perfectly. I walked through the vents until I reached a spot where there was another opening like the entrance. I looked through it and I could see right into the mall. The bright lights, people everywhere, all the shops.”
I could picture the scene as he told the story. The shiny white floor, the cold air, that strange bland smell of the inside of a human building.
Francois continued on. “The metal bits were a lot easier to undo than the other ones. I was able to open up the vent just a little bit and slip through. Once inside, I was flew up on top of the vent itself and looked around.”
“I actually had a pretty good idea of where I was in the mall from all of our outside surveillance. The jewellery store wasn’t too far away. I took off from the vent and flew as high as I could, right up to the ceiling, and then I made my way to the store.”
“It didn’t take long and then I saw it. The store was quiet too. It all seemed perfect. Only a few humans were in there. I grounded just outside of it and hugged the wall as I snuck up to the entrance. Just as I was about to go inside, I bumped into a sudden invisible wall. It was one of those glass doors that only opens when a human is there. I had to tuck myself against the glass nearby and wait for someone to go through. After a while, someone went into the store and I snuck in just behind them.”
“I was in a smaller space now and I had to watch my breathing and be careful about getting caught up in pigeon panic. The store was just like we’ve talked about. I knew I had to get behind the counters. I was able to get around the back to where the humans brought out the shiny stuff from behind the glass. Eventually, one of them opened the glass cabinet and stepped away for a moment. I didn’t hesitate. I flew straight in and I started hording as jewellery as I possibly could. I was grabbing things in my beak and grabbing things with my claws. Suddenly then, I heard a human scream and there was instantly an army of hands reaching into the glass cabinet trying to get me. That was when pigeon panic took over. I was too weak…”
He stopped his story. His expression had dropped. He looked ashamed.
“At least you made it out,” I said.
*
Ruby was gone for a long while. The day went on, the sun rising higher.
As I was lying back against the wall behind me, I spotted a lone pigeon up on top of the mall, standing there looking out, searching. It took me a second to make them out. It was Joan!
“Joan’s back!” I told Francois, but he didn’t give a reaction.
I immediately took off into the air and flew up towards the roof of the mall.
“Joan!” I said.
“What’s going on?” she asked straight away. “I see you got the vent open. Where’s Francois?”
“He’s hurt,” I said. “Here, come with me.”
I lead the way across the street back to the ledge.
Francois looked up at Joan with a grumpy, pained expression.
She was looking at his injured wing.
“Is it broken?” she asked.
Francois nodded.
In the corner of my eye, I saw a red little spot gliding through the air in the distance. Ruby.
She landed on the ledge to join the party. We already knew from the look on her face that she wasn’t returning with good news. Before speaking, she gave Joan a nod of acknowledgement. She then turned to Francois.
“No one at the billboard club will help us,” she said. “They say they won’t take you to the vet until your current debts are repaid.”
Francois didn’t react. Not even a sigh.
“But he needs help now,” I said.
“I have an idea,” said Joan. “But it’s risky.”
She continued on. “That family of humans that I showed you, Lew. The ones who give me food. We can take Francois to them. They might help us.”
Francois scoffed and shook his head.
“They’re good humans,” said Joan.
“No such thing,” said Francois.
“It’s the only plan we have left,” said Joan. “We just have to find a way to get you there.”
“I think I know a way,” said Ruby and then she told us her idea.
We left Francois and set off to one of the alleys just nearby. We pecked around the bins for something we could use. Eventually, I found a little cardboard box that just might work. It had had food in it and the inside of it was slicked with marvellous, delicious grease. I called Joan and Ruby over. The greasy container would have to do.
We carried the container back up to the ledge with Francois and he looked it over, testing its sturdiness. He then took a seat in the container.
“Ready when you are,” he said.
Thanks for reading and have a wonderful week!