We decided that the best thing to do was to confront Katrina Price as soon
as possible. 'As soon as possible' meant Saturday, when we had no school to
interfere. Ax, however, got grumpy, and pointed out that he was missing his
favourite Saturday morning cartoons. It was hard not to smile while
explaining to Ax that if we rescheduled our battles around his TV
programmes, there would soon be no TV programs at all. Fortunately, Ax had
already discovered the joy of the VCR.
Then Jake got grounded.
Yes, that's right, our responsible leader got grounded. Turns out that one of the assignments he'd missed was crucial to passing a class. His parents had given him a chance to come up with a reasonable explanation. Jake couldn't very well tell them he was off saving the world from parasitic slugs, and thus, he got grounded.
Cassie too, was missing from our team. Her father had asked her to help him in a critical operation to save a raccoon's life. Cassie, being Cassie, couldn't say no to a small, helpless furball. Therefore, it was just the four of us.
With me in charge!
I bet Jake and Cassie are together right now. Marco said.
Jake's grounded, Marco. They can't be together. I reminded him.
Yeah, well, I bet they made it up! Marco insisted. Leaving us to save the world while they smooch around in some dark dirty alley.
Number one: Jake doesn't lie. Number two: Neither does Cassie. Number three: Why on earth would they go smooch in a dark dirty alley when they can go to a park?
I am lost in this conversation. Ax piped up.
So am I, Ax. So am I Tobias chucked.
We were four pigeons fluttering through the sky. Tobias had said that the hotel was a pigeon hot spot and thus we wouldn't stick out like sore thumbs. It was as fun being a pigeon as it was being an eagle. There was also the uncontrollable urge to poop.
Bullseye! Marco shouted as a bald man shook his fist at us angrily.
Gross, Marco. I chided.
But cool. He gloated.
Boy, was I glad when we finally arrived at the hotel.
Marco, stay out here and make sure you don't poop on anyone. Try to be inconspicuous. Tobias, Ax and I will go in. I said.
Why do I have to stay outside? Marco whined.
Because, Marco, Jake left me in charge. I would have smirked. And you annoy me. I spotted the white towel billowing in the wind. Tobias, Ax, see that white towel? Head for the balcony it's attached to. We perch on the railed, looking in. The curtains were blocking our view, but the door was slightly ajar, and we heard strange noises.
What was that? Tobias asked as a particularly loud moan caught our attention.
Do you think it's Katrina Price? Maybe she's in trouble. I suggested.
I will go to "check this out" first. Ax volunteered. He powered his little wings and flapped into the room. Moments later, there was the sound of a scream, and then some potent cursing. Then Ax zipped out of the gap in the door right before it was wrenched open and a huge, thick set man stood in the doorway, chest heaving. Tobias and I sqwarked and took flight after Ax.
STUPID BIRDS!!! He bellowed.
I'll take a bet and guess that's not Katrina Price. Marco said.
Are you sure that's the right room? Tobias asked.
Positive. 0313. In my mind's eye, I remembered exactly how it had looked like on the receipt Jake had showed us. The numbers were smudged, and I could just make out the number '3' after the first '0'. In fact, if you has asked me.
8! The number was 8! I cried out, amazed at my own stupidity.
You're losing us, Miss Rachel. Marco said.
The room number! It wasn't 0313! It was 0813! I exclaimed. come on!
We soared up. I counted the floors as they shot past us. Fourth. Fifth. Sixth. Seventh.
Eigth.
Now what? Marco asked. Our luck had held. The door to the balcony was wide open.
Same plan. Marco, outside. Tobias, Ax? Let's go in.
Then Jake got grounded.
Yes, that's right, our responsible leader got grounded. Turns out that one of the assignments he'd missed was crucial to passing a class. His parents had given him a chance to come up with a reasonable explanation. Jake couldn't very well tell them he was off saving the world from parasitic slugs, and thus, he got grounded.
Cassie too, was missing from our team. Her father had asked her to help him in a critical operation to save a raccoon's life. Cassie, being Cassie, couldn't say no to a small, helpless furball. Therefore, it was just the four of us.
With me in charge!
I bet Jake and Cassie are together right now. Marco said.
Jake's grounded, Marco. They can't be together. I reminded him.
Yeah, well, I bet they made it up! Marco insisted. Leaving us to save the world while they smooch around in some dark dirty alley.
Number one: Jake doesn't lie. Number two: Neither does Cassie. Number three: Why on earth would they go smooch in a dark dirty alley when they can go to a park?
I am lost in this conversation. Ax piped up.
So am I, Ax. So am I Tobias chucked.
We were four pigeons fluttering through the sky. Tobias had said that the hotel was a pigeon hot spot and thus we wouldn't stick out like sore thumbs. It was as fun being a pigeon as it was being an eagle. There was also the uncontrollable urge to poop.
Bullseye! Marco shouted as a bald man shook his fist at us angrily.
Gross, Marco. I chided.
But cool. He gloated.
Boy, was I glad when we finally arrived at the hotel.
Marco, stay out here and make sure you don't poop on anyone. Try to be inconspicuous. Tobias, Ax and I will go in. I said.
Why do I have to stay outside? Marco whined.
Because, Marco, Jake left me in charge. I would have smirked. And you annoy me. I spotted the white towel billowing in the wind. Tobias, Ax, see that white towel? Head for the balcony it's attached to. We perch on the railed, looking in. The curtains were blocking our view, but the door was slightly ajar, and we heard strange noises.
What was that? Tobias asked as a particularly loud moan caught our attention.
Do you think it's Katrina Price? Maybe she's in trouble. I suggested.
I will go to "check this out" first. Ax volunteered. He powered his little wings and flapped into the room. Moments later, there was the sound of a scream, and then some potent cursing. Then Ax zipped out of the gap in the door right before it was wrenched open and a huge, thick set man stood in the doorway, chest heaving. Tobias and I sqwarked and took flight after Ax.
STUPID BIRDS!!! He bellowed.
I'll take a bet and guess that's not Katrina Price. Marco said.
Are you sure that's the right room? Tobias asked.
Positive. 0313. In my mind's eye, I remembered exactly how it had looked like on the receipt Jake had showed us. The numbers were smudged, and I could just make out the number '3' after the first '0'. In fact, if you has asked me.
8! The number was 8! I cried out, amazed at my own stupidity.
You're losing us, Miss Rachel. Marco said.
The room number! It wasn't 0313! It was 0813! I exclaimed. come on!
We soared up. I counted the floors as they shot past us. Fourth. Fifth. Sixth. Seventh.
Eigth.
Now what? Marco asked. Our luck had held. The door to the balcony was wide open.
Same plan. Marco, outside. Tobias, Ax? Let's go in.