She’s coming!
The birds watched the girl with the bracelet make her way outside.
What do we do now?
A collective telepathic murmur followed, and no one ventured to answer.
For hundreds of years they’d searched, six men immortally bound by their former master to a cruel parody of life out of revenge for a transgression committed long ago. They’d crossed mountains and deserts, countries and oceans, all in the vain hope of at long last discovering the key to their prison: the totem that bound them to their blackbird bodies. Now, here they were, and here it was, and the discovery was not nearly as satisfying as they’d imagined.
Their search had sustained them with the hope, however small, that they could undo their old master’s curse, that they would finally be able to die. Immortality as men would have been bad enough, but immortality as birds? The first few decades had almost driven them mad. Now they were reminded that locating the bracelet was only the first step of a longer journey. Now that they knew where it was, how would they take possession of it? And when they did, how would they destroy it?
The girl pulled a thick garment over her head, wrapped it around her waist, and had just passed by the window where they were standing when she stopped suddenly to stare at them, eyes wide and wondering.
She knows we’re watching her.
Impossible.
Should we address her?
It’s been a long time since we encountered a human capable of speaking with us, said their leader. The memory was not a pleasant one, and he pulled away from it like a child whose hand has passed too near an open fire.
They were not afraid of the humans that populated a modern city like this one, but neither did they trust them. They were all too aware both of how they’d been treated as birds and of how they themselves had treated other creatures as humans.
Still, that look in the girl’s eyes, a look that was surely mirrored in their own gaze: one of recognition, one that suggested a connection might be made.
When she shook her head and started to back away, they panicked. No, they thought, she couldn’t leave them now. They had so much to say to one another, if only they could figure out how to communicate. A questioning chirp escaped their leader’s beak, and a moment later, side by side, they followed after her.
Stop, you’re frightening her!
How else can we get her attention?
Too soon. We need to plan first.
But she’s already getting away.
No, this was not at all how they’d imagined their search for the bracelet would end. What should they do now? At any rate, it seemed their efforts to reach the girl were in vain. She was clearly spooked, and while it was likely she could sense something about them beyond their exterior blackbird façades, she would not be open to an encounter just yet.
Stop her!
Let her go, their leader sighed.
But she has the bracelet!
Yes, he replied, and of what use is that if she’s too afraid to speak with us? We need to give her time.
So they watched her back into the parking lot, imploring her with their eyes not to go. Watched her throw open the door of a dark blue Prius. Watched her slam the door behind her and start the car.
For now, said their leader, we follow. Find out where she lives, get to know her interests and her schedule, see if we can learn anything that will help us reach her. Maybe, we can even get a hold of the bracelet without her.
Yes, they decided, he was right. And when the car pulled out, they shot into the sky to follow. All was not yet lost. They would watch, and they would wait, and when the time was right, then they would act.
Read part 4 here.
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