Copyright © 2008 Ava James
All rights reserved, Freya's Bower.
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A murder of crows inked the sky. Giana watched in rapt curiosity as the ominous living cloud approached with unnatural speed. She sat on the windowsill, beguiled by the sight. The sun crept lower on the horizon behind the oncoming horde casting the ebony creatures in malefic silhouette.
She moved from the window long enough to turn on the television and flip to a news channel. Did some sort of disaster wreak havoc, forcing the birds to migrate as if they were fleeing for their lives? The news provided no answers. She returned to her perch upon the sill and pressed her cheek to the cool glass. The television tritely droned on, and Giana relegated it to ambient noise.
The crows were still coming.
Her lips pursed in anticipation of the breathtaking phenomenon. Giana adored corvidae, more so crows and ravens. They were her favorite creatures from the animal kingdom. An expansive grouping such as this one was rare indeed, especially here in the city.
Giana followed a Goth lifestyle. The color black dominated her manner of dress and makeup. She held a deep fascination with the macabre. Her infatuation with corvidae came as no surprise to those who knew her best.
“Why are you coming here?” she murmured under her breath. “Did developers encroach upon your territory?” She walked to the front door and stepped out onto the concrete balcony. She knocked softly on the neighboring apartment door.
The neighbor, Casey Lowe, opened his door.
“Did you hear anything about a crow migration?” Giana asked.
“A what?”
“Look out your westward-facing window.” Giana pointed.
Casey turned to go look, leaving the door open behind him. Giana followed.
“Well, doesn’t that just beat all?” the older man exclaimed as he drew the blinds up.
“Yes, I heard nothing on the news about it. I wonder why they’re coming with such frenzy?” Giana mused.
“I’d expect you of all people could answer that.” Casey lowered the blinds and shook his head. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Well, at least I know I’m not crazy.” Giana chuckled. “You see it too.” She adored her neighbor. Since losing her parents, Giana had gravitated toward the man. She regarded him like a father figure.
“I see it. I just don’t understand it.”
“They’ll probably just pass us over,” Giana surmised. “We’ll have to wash our cars afterward.”
“Isn’t that the truth?” Casey escorted Giana back to the door. “Tell your feathered friends to go shit on Mrs. Markley’s car instead.”