Zola and I left the man with his keys. Now that she had a flashlight Zola was able to see and walk on her own. She showed me the path to the door, and after trying a few different keys, the lock clicked and opened. Zola turned off her flashlight and we followed a stone path. A lot of buildings stood left and right, all looking the same in their dull gray colour and lifeless windows. The cold air made me chill and I hoped for finding Durc quickly so I would not cool down too much.
We walked in silence for a while, looking around anxiously, expecting everything and nothing at the same time. Zola had to take three or four little steps for every leap I took, which was kinda funny zo watch, but I did not focus on the little rat. My view was locked onto the high fences of the Aviary and the building connected to it. Suddenly, a siren cut the silence, and beams of light lit up the night. Zola crouched down and squealed.
"They found the guard! I'm sure of it! And if they see I'm gone -" My thoughts rushed through my brain, one being more ridiculous than the previous.
"Go back!", I said. Zola looked up, her eyes wide and watery and surprisingly light blue in a brown face.
"Tell them I kidnapped you." I grabbed her tiny arm and dug my claws into her flesh. Zola let out a little cry. "They will believe you. Now go." A little tear rolled down her cheek, and she hugged my leg.
"I hope you find your friend." She then hurried off. I was alone. And quickly dove into the next bush as I heard yelling. A few guards passed me, weapons drawn. The siren sang its neverending shrill notes, drilling into my head. I tasted the air, got out of hiding and sprinted towards the Aviary.
Just as I reached the massive building, the siren stopped, finally. I rubbed my temple and then examined the doors, trying different keys. They didn't fit. Apparently the guard only jad keys for the Small-Mammals-Department. I kicked the door open. It smashed into a wall and shattered into a dozen pieces. I heard yelling. It was now or never. Everything or Nothing. I inhaled deeply and held my breath for a few seconds before letting out my voice. My scream, bloodcurdling, high pitched and goosebump-raising deafened myself and everyone else. But it was no scream. It was a call. And I could already hear the answer, a screeching, hollowing sound from inside. I sucked in all air that could fit into my lungs amd pressed it out again, calling even louder than before. And Durc answered. He was here.