By Zimri A. Z. Zoran
Tallest bridge in the city, midday, alone. My gizzard grumbles. Should I have eaten? Nah, waste of food.
I approach the suspension tower’s edge and glance down, my talons gripping the rim. If I’m not careful, my wings might flare open and ruin my plans. I unclip my messenger bag and retrieve the rope.
A whoosh startles my wings in a flurry of unshed owlet down. I spread my arms and flap my wings to steady myself before turning toward the intruder to my solitude.
A tan man with blond hair lands on my tower. The one I chose. His wings look like a rainbow dropped guano on him. He’s even wearing a neon T-shirt that’s way too small around his arms.
Ugh. He’s so bright and shiny I want to vomit.
He shakes kinks from his feathers, and his stupid blond eyebrows shoot up. “Well lookit that! Din’t think I’d have company for lunch today!”
He leans on the thing that secures the bridge’s suspension cables, gesturing to the lunchbox he holds in one hand. I smooth my wings and pretend he didn’t scare the feathers out of me.
The man plucks half a sandwich from his lunchbox. “Whatcha doin’ up here, kid? Don’tchu got school?”
He won’t understand.
“I’m Avgi. Got a name, kiddo?”
None that he needs to know.
Avgi takes a bite. “Ever have a grubwich with mustard and mayo? Nuthin’ like it!”
When I don’t answer, he raises an eyebrow. “Yer hungry, ain’tcha?”
“I’m fine,” I mumble, but my gizzard growls violently in betrayal. Avgi sits, motioning for me.
I can’t do anything with him here anyway and asking him to leave would be suspicious. I fold my wings and sit a few feet away. He hands me the other half of his grubwich.
“So, kiddo, I eat lunch here every day, and I ain’t never seen ya.”
I hope he will at least shut up while he’s chewing.
He doesn’t. “Come ta think of it, guess you wouldn’t be in school. You’re nocturnal, ain’tcha? What’s yer blood, kiddo?”
“Strix,” I mumble. “You?” Might as well; he’s going to talk anyway.
“Me?” He swallows and points a thumb toward himself. “I’m a hybrid! Half harpy, some phoenix, thunderbird, other stuff. Pop’s genealogy was pretty whack!”
“Weird,” I murmur.
“Right?” Avgi plucks a millet strand from his lunchbox. “So what are ya doin’ up here, kid? Yer flight feathers ain’t grown in. Hope yer not thinkin’ of practicing from here!”
I grit my teeth. “Guess I like the view,” I lie. Partially. “It looks different during the day.”
Avgi shrugs, offering more food.
Fine. Resisting fried cicadas is futile.
Afterward, he doesn’t leave, and I can’t wait. Someone might wake up and find me gone.
I’ll come tomorrow. Not at this cuckoo’s lunchtime.
He’s here again. Mid-afternoon this time.
Avgi offers a toadpop. At least he has good taste in food.
Again, after eating, he doesn’t leave. He just sits and squawks about useless nonsense I don’t remember.
Three more days. Same thing, different times. I can’t take it anymore! I’m exhausted waiting for this loser to leave my tower!
Today he brings a second lunchbox.
Great. More free food. He went to the trouble of bringing it, so I’ll feel guilty if I refuse.
I’m burden enough already just being here.
I stare at the horizon. It’s almost dusk; the sun’s dying rays twinkle on the water.
Sunrise would be prettier. No skyscrapers in the background. Maybe I’ll come at dawn next time.
It’d be a nice last sight to see.
Dawn, and I’m alone!
I should be ecstatic, but…
Maybe if I wait, he’ll show up. I’ll just watch the sunrise.
I want to do this, right?
I peer over the side to the water below.
The perfect opportunity!
Ugh. I’m so stupid.
How did I end up waiting all day? My tail feathers ache, and both sets of shoulders are stiff.
And worse, I kept looking around the entire time!
Who am I kidding? He’s not coming. He had to have a job. What was he even doing here every time?
Geez, I can’t go anywhere without wasting someone’s time.
Okay. If he shows up before I leave, maybe I’ll give things another shot. Maybe I’ll try just one more time.
Twilight’s falling, and I’m still sitting on this dumb tower after doing nothing all day long like some hopeless insomniac.
What am I even waiting for?
When the first star appears, I stand, stretch, and take in this last view.
Wishing on stars was for hatchlings. This was a final twinkle in the dying light.
It’s time. I grab my rope. I haven’t touched it in days. I’m tying my wings to my middle when a whirlwind of feathers tumbles across the tower.
Avgi.
His crash landing startles the rope from my hands and it drops, a dead snake at my feet. Avgi exhales and brushes his hair from his face. “Whew! Almost didn’t make it!”
What’s he doing here so late?
Not me, right?
Please say you didn’t come because of me.
Please say you were hoping I was still here.
He shoves a takeout bag at me. “Sorry I’m late, kid! I really wanted ya to try the Spiced Shrew Stew from the new meatpie place downtown, but the line was nuts!”
I accept it.
One gulp warms my hollow bones. I have to put it down and curl my arms around my knees. “Thank you, Avgi.”
He smiles. “Thought ya’d like it!”
He doesn’t have a clue. I grimace at my mixed feelings about that thought. “I think… I’m going home when I’m done eating. I need a couple hours’ sleep before school later tonight or I’ll be trashed by tomorrow morning.”
I look at him, and he has a weird toothy grin on his face.
“What?” I ask.
Avgi shrugs. “Nuthin’, kiddo. First time you mentioned tomorrow, that’s all.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
This story just gets me with THE FEELS. I LOVE IT SO MUCH. So beautiful and impactful. <3 <3 <3
Truly a captivating story! I can see everything happening vividly and really liked the unique perspective and style. I thought the theme of the story was really interesting you realize what’s happening. Great work!
Ahhh!! That final line was the perfect touch! As someone who struggles with depression and has family who struggle as well, this story made me feel seen. <3
Avgi has skills, many skills. keep listening, keep sharing, keep living. great story.
@Beka Gremikova: Thank you SO MUCH, friend!!
@Aleithea: *overdramatic bow* Why thank you very muchly! I am honored by such words!
@Katie Hanna: Oh, that’s SO WONDERFUL! Coming from a fellow “Struggler”, that was indeed the goal! <3
@SC Steamer: So awesome to hear the message came through loud and clear!! Thank you so much!
I got to this story a little late, but great story! It brightened my day!