Little Hall Birds
Chapter 3: Little Hall Birds
Jack walked into the mid-sized kitchen, the small squared tile floor felt refreshing on his feet. He knew where the fridge was and pulled it open taking out a box of sliced fruit, milk and cream, and reached to the top of the fridge to get cereal. After pouring himself bowl, and making a cup of coffee he felt the labels on polished wooden cabinets for the words “smaller bowls”. Reaching inside he grabbed two glass bowls, and filled a mixture of fruit in one and poured milk and cream in the other. He placed it on the ground for Toothless. He replied with a low grumble of dissatisfaction, but the chameleon ate happily. “What? You don’t want it now?” Jack asked arching an eyebrow. Toothless whined, and Jack scratched the back of his head. “Sorry little man, but I can’t see you, so I don’t know what ya want.” Jack explained. The chameleon turned a sad blue, while Toothless’s eyes widened a bit and his ears dropped slightly. The cat purred and coddled close to the boys leg. “Wow even the animals feels bad when I say it,” he thought to himself with a chuckle.
Jack bent down to pet the cat. “It’s all good little man, I’ve got plenty of eyesight right here,” he said pointing to his ears, the chameleon squeaked. “Eyes that you stuck your tongue into,” Jack frowned pointing at him, he knew the lizard was smiling. “So, what do you want me to do with this,” he asked holding up the liquid filled bowl. Toothless jumped on the table to the counter, and scratching Jack’s blue microwave. He pressed the button at the bottom of the machine and opened the door. Jack heard this and walked over to his microwave. “Seriously… did you just open my__ Ok? What you want to warm it up? You do know you have a cat’s tongue?” He arched and eyebrow.
Toothless gave an annoyed growl and Jack sighed. “Alright, it’s your tongue lil man,” He shrugged and put the bowl in the microwave for 20 seconds. Taking another sip of his coffee, the ding rang in his ear and he opened it taking out the warm bowl, he tested the heat with his finger and sat in on the floor for the cat. Toothless wasted no time eating and Jack finished up his cereal, made another cup of coffee, and stole one of the chameleon’s fruits. He sat down and enjoyed his third cup, hearing something outside his apartment.
Jack stood up and walked down the hall to his living room couch and sat down. He closed his eyes and listened to the pattering sound of feet on the wooden hallway floors. Jack could tell from the sound of the thuds that these weren’t children, but they also weren’t adults. He toned in on the sound of their voices and words.
“I can’t find them on the 7th floor,” one voice said out of breath. “We didn’t see the two on the 4th floor,” another voice spoke with a particular accent. “We gotta keep looking, they couldn’t have gotten far,” this third voice was filled with anxiety, and worry. “How do ya know they didn’t go back to the apartment lad?” asked the second voice; Jack could tell this voice was from a female. “Or maybe they went outside in front of the building?” the first voice spoke, who was also a female. “No, Toothless likes to wander, but he never wondered far from me. He’s got to be in the building, and you both know he loves exploring big places. He’s here we just have to keep looking.” The last voice said, its tone determined, and worried at the same time. “Hiccup’s right! And Pascal is one to go looking for danger. We’ll find them!” A bright fourth voice said.
The third voice was a males, it was a bit sturdy, but held uncertainty, as appose to the two female voices that were strong but nimble, while the last female was soft and sweet. “Have we tried this room,” the female with an accent asked. “No one lives there, it’s been on sale for months and no one’s moved in yet,” the sweet voice replied. The male sighed, “Come on let’s try upstairs again, and if we don’t find him we’ll take a break and start again later.” The other three agreed and their footsteps faded in seconds.
Jack looked at the cat whose head came to find a pillow on his lap. He smiled lightly and shook his head, “you two must be a handful.” He said placing the two on the couch cushion and walked into the kitchen to clean up a bit. Then, he went upstairs to take a quick shower. He put on a royal blue shirt, and some black jeans with a few worn holes in the knees. Before he went downstairs, he sat the lap top on his desk, and told the voice command to write and print out a note.
He called out for Toothless and Pascal as he walked down the stairway and cat meowed in a tried yawn. Jack faced the direction the cat was, “You two eat my food, sleep on my couch, and now I gotta take you home. Talk about a gold diggers guys,” he chuckled. Toothless replied with jumping into his arms, Pascal on his head luckily Jack hand good reflexes and caught the feline with ease.
He didn’t bother putting his shoes and he opened the door and left his apartment. As he walked upstairs he spoke to them. “Alright, are you on floor 6, or 7? Two meows for 6, one for 7.” Pascal squeaked once, and Jack nodded his head, going up one more flight of stairs. “I hope you remember what number you came sneaking out of, because I don’t.” The cat meowed a reply, which he took as a yes. “Ok, so I’m goanna go down and say every number I pass. I’m not doing it slowly so keep up,” he said placing his hand on the upper center of the first down on the hall. He walked a normal pace, as his palm just grazed the outline of each door number and he called them out.
Toothless gave a solid meow when he said 207, Jack stopped. “Is this it?” he asked, he blinked at the door. Toothless meowed once again, and Jack sat him down. He placed a small white note in the chameleon’s mouth and knocked on the door before leaving. “Later Toothless, nice having breakfast with you Pascal,” he said, before turning down the hall to the elevator. Toothless looked at the boy go, his ear laded down slightly, but perked up when the door in front of him was opened.
A red headed girl looked down at the black cat, who looked up at her with big green eyes. “Everyone they came back!” She smiled letting the cat in and walking beside him. The brunet, green eyed boy jumped up and ran to hug his best friend and pet. “Oh bud, you’re ok. Hey no more running off like that again! Bad! Bad Serengeti!” he said waving his finger at the feline. “Where’d you run off to Pascal? You had us worried. Where’d you find them Merida?” A blonde girl with green eyes, who sat beside the brunette asked. The fiery red head shrugged, “Ah just found him in front of the door.” The blonde looked at the chameleon and saw the letter on his mouth. “Hey, what’s that you got there Pascal” she pulled it out, unfolding it.
It read
“A few little Birds in the Halls told me were looking for these two. I found them in my attic playing tag. I’m glad their home safe and sound. Have a good day.
P.S Your pets are total gold diggers, but great guests. You raised them well.
J.F.”