Disclaimer: I own nothing! Rio, Rio 2 and all their characters belong to Blue Sky Studios.
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Chapter One: Comeuppance
They broke his wing. After two decades together, Marcel struck him so hard, he collided against the wall before sliding to the floor. All this because he'd protected an innocent child from suffering the smuggler's wrath.
Nigel understood pain better than most birds, yet when he heard a sickening snap, the sheer agony that followed still caught him off guard. He released a shrill squawk as searing heat tore through his left wing.
Fernando, the child in question, dodged the crowbar Marcel was brandishing and scooped Nigel up off the floor, pausing momentarily when their attacker lost his balance. The orphan made a break for the door while Armando and Tipa were preoccupied with helping their boss regain his footing.
His broken wing hurt like hell, but Nigel tried not to let it show, clamping his beak shut as Fernando dashed across the street. The boy rounded several corners and ducked into an alleyway where he hunkered down for several minutes before peeking out to see if he'd been followed. There were no pursuers to be seen, so he hightailed it out of the alley, heading where Nigel had no idea. The cockatoo's injury was beginning to take its toll. He clung to consciousness, his eyes blurring as he blinked them in an attempt to focus, desperate to stay awake and not show any weakness.
"Don't worry, Nigel, we're almost there," Fernando panted, "Just a little bit further."
Almost where?
Nigel didn't have time to contemplate the meaning behind the boy's words. The darkness embraced him too quickly for that, though somewhere deep down he couldn't help but think he deserved to suffer, that the consequences of his actions mere moments ago were some sort of cosmic payback for all his past misdeeds.
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I know this chapter is somewhat short and I apologize. Nigel is my favorite character from the Rio franchise and I really do think there is more to his personality than a vengeful, washed-up has-been. Please read and review. I always enjoy and appreciate feedback.