Chapter 4

"Please, Maria, can't we talk this over?"

He watched from the window as the pied water tyrant flew into the window angrily, not far behind followed a wild Cassin's finch. His brow narrowed as he watched from across the street. He couldn't make out their argument from where he was, but he could clearly see that they were arguing, through gestures and frustrated expressions.

He watched on, curious, knowing the anger was bubbling within him. He allowed it to rise and rise, after all, it would be in good cause. No one hurt his sister...

He let the smirk break onto his face when Crack splashed straight into a puddle; his feather's dampening into the mucky water of the pavement.

He looked up, his smirk wiped clean off and moulded back into its usual poker face as soon as he saw her. The silver water glistened down her cheek and flew into the air as she took off into the shadows of the house. The little canary by her side followed.

Excellent.

The window was already open a bit. All that was needed to be done would be to push it so he could just squeeze out and do what was needed to be done.

He deserved it.

No one hurt his sister.

He flew a safe distance away as the Cassin's finch began to head towards the forest. Good. Maria would never know. Even though she knew where he lived, she'd never stray into the forest area. Wild cats roamed there and she knew better than to risk life going into there. At least for now that is...

Blossom had been saying about moving to Rio. Maria's still thinking it over though, and after this will most likely comply. "When I'm through with him he'll never go back," He muttered to himself "Unless he'll want another beating. Yes, I will only teach him not to mess with my family. I won't go any further. Not this time... I hope..." He sighed gently trying to shake dark memories of the past that began flooding his mind.

That human... That scientist... It had been his job to see how the bird's brain worked. It messed him up so badly as a chick. He didn't mean to kill him. He was only young. He didn't realise a blow to the neck would end the miserable old sod's life.

But he did, didn't he... It wasn't a question. He knew it would be unfixable. He knew so well he would kill the man, and no one would know it was him, because he flew away and ended up here. Across the ocean. Away from that dark place. They never knew, they never got him then. They won't get him now.

"No..." He breathed, trying to shake the memory out, "It's only a little pay back. I won't make that mistake again."

He looked up, suddenly realising that he was now amongst the trees, still hot on Cracker's trail. "My, how the time flies..."

He suddenly stopped and hovered for a moment as Crack flew down to the ground and rested himself on a rock.

Now? His brain questioned, almost eagerly. His head swivelled from side to side. They were a good distance from the town. No one will know...

Cracker's head snapped up at the sound of flapping wings from behind him as something landed heavily behind him, not far away. He jumped up and spun around, his feathers raised in fear and defence, his eyes narrowed. His expression only softened when he realised the familiar face. What a fool...

"Vermelho?"

Vermelho kept a firm and slightly dark expression as Cracker stepped off the rock and closer towards him. "W-what are you doin' here? The forest ain't safe, ya know."

He nodded once. "I know it's not. I would have thought you'd know that too."

Cracker's eyes narrowed sceptically, "Well, of course I know, I live here and-" He gave a slightly frustrated sigh and began to turn, "Look, I'm not in the mood, okay? Me and Maria had a bit of a spats..."

He felt the anger growing once more. "That is exactly why I'm here."

Cracker faced him, "What do you...?" No time, no words, He sprung forward and shoved the Cassin's finch into the rock, easily pinning him there with one claw. With such a size difference, it wouldn't matter how much the bird struggled. Vermelho was already commencing in enjoying his revenge.

No one hurt his sister, no one! A few powerful blows to the face and beak, leaving blood trickling down his face, each punch splashed a few drops onto his own face.

How dare he hurt her feelings! Slash, slash, slash. Oh, the wondrous sound of skin ripping under his claws as he dug and scrapped them across the Cassin finch's chest, tearing away feathers as he did so.

He'll show him! The cuts grew deeper as he clawed deeper, blood splattering all over. No one would notice it on his own blood red feathers. He grabbed Cracker's wings and pulled, still keeping his claws embedded deep in his stomach as it continued to drip with oozing blood. He pulled and pulled, as the finch screamed in agony, tears streaming down his face. Good. Now he'll know how Maria felt. But it isn't enough! He needed to be certain he'll never hurt her again!

Oh the delightful sound of bones snapping out of place rung in Vermelho's ears. He savoured the sound before throwing Cracker's the floor, now pushing his claws deep into the back of Cracker's neck.

He more he screamed and fidgeted, the deeper he let his claws rip into the flesh, the cold blood trickled over his talons.

Oh that felt nice.

It went on for only a while until Vermelho realised something.

Crackers as no long moving.

No screams.

No gags.

No breaths.

Nothing.

Vermelho stumbled back and looked down, his wide eyes trying to take in the sight.

The Cassin's finch was completely coated in blood. His body was limp. Blood oozed over his face and from in his beak, spreading out across the forest floor.

Cracker was dead.

The night was still. Vermelho shook and shivered in the corner of his cage.

He'd done it again...

He'd done it again...

He'd committed murder.

Maria can't know...

She'll never know.

Rio. Yes! They'll go there! He'll be able to escape!

He had too... Nothing could fix what he had done...