“They’re the ones who think I don’t have ears,” the bird argued.
Her yellow feathers sat loftily above her head, but her bright orange cheeks are what caught everyone’s attention.
“Seriously?” The woman asked as she leaned closer, inspecting the small creature.
“Where are your ears?” She finally asked.
“If you truly wish to know, help me escape,” the bird offered.
Leaning back in the creaking chair the woman set her boots on the decrepit table.
“Well, tell me what information you have first.”
The bird ruffled her feathers, then replied, “I know where the last three missing princes of Europe have gone. And well, because you’re a time traveler, we could rescue the helpless royalty.”
The woman squinted at her.
“What?” The bird challenged.
“Sorry,” she began as she leaned forward. “It’s just…. It’s been a strange day. You know it started with a simple assignment, take pictures of the guy that build Stonehenge. Done. Next thing I know I’m hurdling through France trying to avoid Napoleon, and now I’m making deals with a lost bird from the future.”
She shook her head.
“Look I mean no offense, I just can’t seem to get my feet under me these days.”
“That’s why I’m offering you the partnership,” the bird explained as she climbed closer.
Now poking her head out of the cage bars she continued, “You want to pay off your debt, and I want to get out of here. Did you know they’re trying to feed me worms? WORMS. The only reason I’ve survived this long is because I could listen with my hidden ears and my captors let all of the food inventories slip.”
The woman chuckled, but as she did, two men burst through the tent door.
“They’re in-” One of the men glanced around the room. “I…. I could’ve sworn….”
“How can they not see us?” The bird whispered.
“Temporary displacement field locked to our biometric signatures. The only way I can get to sleep at night.”
She walked to the guard frantically looking around the tiny room. She then waved her hand in front of his face, and gave him bunny ears. All the while the guard didn’t suspect a thing.
“So, does this mean you’ll help me? I will repay you,” the bird asked.
The woman opened the cage door, and retrieved the bird.
“I know what it’s like to have a debt hanging over your head for something you couldn’t control. I’ll get you out of here, back to your time, but you don’t owe me a thing alright?”
The bird flew to her shoulder, and snuggled into her cheek. The two then paraded out of the tent, happily pushing little objects over to freak out the guards.
“Zona Toderro?” A voice from ahead called.
Before them, stood a garrison of fifty men all standing ready with their electro shock weapons.
“Zona Toderro, you are under arrest for debt evasion,” their bulky leader announced.
“I’m paying my debt right now,” she argued “Why else do you think I’d be traversing time?”
The bird simply glanced back and forth.
“We know you’ve stolen that bird from the royal family of Australia to pay off your debts. Do you deny it?”
“Whole heartedly,” She answered sarcastically.
“I might have forgotten to mention,” the bird leaned in closer, “I wasn’t taken from my home. It just looks like that. I actually ran away.”
She glared at the bird then ran with full force back through the tent. Bursting out the other side, they darted through the forest weaving through the trees.
“Why didn’t you tell me!?”
“I wanted too, but I thought if you knew, you wouldn’t help me. You’d think I was just some spoiled bird looking for a free ride.”
The girl sighed then answered, “So, when you said you wanted me to free you, you meant you wanted to travel with me?”
She nodded her little head.
“Do you realize how dangerous that idea was!?”
A blast of electricity nearly missed them, smacking into a tree and burning it to a crisp.
“I’m starting to see that. What kid of debt do you have with them!?” The bird cried.
“I borrowed thirty million Krone for my brother’s operation,” she explained as she jumped from tree to tree.
“Can’t he help you?”
“He died two days later. I’m pretty sure he had some information they didn’t want getting out.”
The bird got quiet as she hung on tighter to the leather jacket.
“Still glad you asked me for help?” Zona asked.
“You’re the only person I would’ve trusted. That’s why I’ll return the favor.”
Ahead of them, a blue swirling portal ripped open.
“What is that!?”
“I told you I have good hearing. I can hear through time as well. Jump through and we’ll be in ancient Egypt. I promise!”
Zona looked at the bird, then back at the guards.
“Well, here goes nothing!”
Until The Next Adventure!
Do you think the bird is telling the truth? Will Zona ever be able to pay off her debts? Do you think her brother really was killed to stop him from leaking information? Let me know what you think in the comments below!
Thank you for reading this post on the Welcome To My Shoes blog! If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on any of the adventures!