The winged messenger

 

Chapter 3: The winged messenger

 

I awoke several hours later in a daze. Standing up, I noticed how dark it had become. I suddenly remembered the black letters. I left the house and aimlessly wandered the neighborhood streets for a while, crying silently the whole time. After what had seemed like hours, I ended up at the corner of Cyprus Lane and Springer Street, two miles from my house. I squatted on the side of the street under the signs.

“This can’t have happened” I said to myself.

“Well it did and now all you can do is do something about it!” A voice croaked from above me.

I looked up searching for the source of the gravely voice and found nothing at all. “S**t! Must be going crazy” I said to myself. I usually I never cursed or even thought one, but after what happened I really didn’t care anymore.

“Nah, you’re not crazy young man, only confused.” The voice spoke again. “I infer that you wish for me to reveal myself.” At that moment I really didn’t want to know who or what was trying to talk to me. Then, suddenly a crow landed in front of me, cocking its head to the side.

“What do you want?” I asked angrily.

“I wish to help, of course” The large bird replied, then puffed his feathered chest.

I almost threw up. The crow had spoken! To me! So surprised was I that all I could mutter was: “With?”

“Your mother, obviously, she was taken, right?”

“I think so,” I still couldn’t believe that I was actually speaking with a bird! “How in the hell can you talk, you’re a bird!”

“Well, I must explain the whole story to answer that question.”

“What story?” I asked, strangely interested now.

“Listen closely and soon you will know.” The black bird stated.