Chapter 39 A Touching Feathery Reunion

At the Gomez residence, Clifton Gomez was alone in his daughter’s room, perusing a piece of paper that he had clenched between his fingers. His eyes became teary as he read the note’s contents. [Sob! Sob!]

“Papa please forgive me for causing disgrace to our family name. Though I was wrongly accused, I had a part to play in letting myself get set up by Iyana. Don’t trust her, she is the true mastermind behind central Upaya’s biohazard attack. As for where I am now you don’t have to worry. I am safe. Tell mom that I love her and that I will miss her. Please take care of yourself dad. I’ll come visit you guys when my name has been cleared. PS Jackal will be keeping me company. From your loving daughter, Selene.”

[Sob! Sob!] Clifton Gomez held the paper delicately in his hand as he walked towards the window. The backyard was now in view. With his woeful gaze, Clifton stared at the empty pet house below. He also took notice of an FPD vehicle parked at the street; staking out his home.

“My baby girl.” Clifton looked up at the moonlit sky and wished for his daughter’s safety. “Don’t die out there.”

“Dear, what are you doing in here?” Isabel Gomez came inside her daughter’s room and saw her husband staring outside the window.

Clifton Gomez hurriedly hid the letter in his breast pocket then turned around and exited the room with his wife. “Isabel, I was only looking out at the moonlight. Come let’s go back to bed.”

……

Back at Liberal Vista, Selene was combing her hair out in her room when she received a notification on her encrypted phone. “Huh, this is…?” Glancing at the notification, Selene tossed the comb on the bed then rushed to the door. She went to the front entrance of the mansion in elated strides.

What got Selene so excited was the confirmed arrival of her delivery. As she was nearing the entrance, a dark van drove in and parked close by the expansive garage.

“Is that it?” Selene ran over to inspect the van. Soon she recognized a familiar face coming out of the driver’s seat. [Thud! Thud!] “Pac, how did it go?”

Pac directed Selene to the back of the van while saying. “I got it out no problem. The only trouble was transporting it here. I risked my life to bring you this thing. So you owe me one.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to repay you in the future. Can you open it for me?” Selene was very eager to reunite with her feathery bro. as soon as Pac came around and opened the trunk, a perturbed peacock dashed out in a frenzied manner, attacking the first human it sees.

Squawk! Squawk! Squawk! Squawk!] The obese peacock was flapping its angry feathers all over Pac’s face. It was disorientated after getting kidnapped against its will, moreover, drugged with tranquiliser. Which was why it was taking out its frustration on its oppressor.

“Jackal calm down! It’s me! Your big sister.”

“Squawk???” After Jackal heard Selene’s loving voice, he stopped pounding on Pac’s face then dashed into Selene’s embrace. “Squawk! Squawk!”

“I know you are happy to see me, bro. I'm overjoyed too.” Selene perused her fingers across Jackal’s colourful feathers. “I’m so sorry for what I said to you at that time. From now on I will keep you close to me.”

“Squawk!” Jackal was happy that it got to spend time with Selene again. As usual, it rubbed its head across Selene’s bosom like it was in love with them.

“Geez, you two. Go get a room.” Pac picked himself up from the ground while spitting out feathers. [Cough! Cough!] “That damn big bird almost disfigure my handsome face. Look at this.” Pac showed Selene the scrape wound on his face.

“I’m so sorry. Jackal was just upset that he got kidnapped. It won’t happen again. Do you need me to dress that for you?” Selene reached out her hand towards Pac’s face. He took a step backwards and said:

“No need. I can look after it myself. Just keep that bird from causing trouble. The leader doesn’t like animals shitting all over her lawn either so make sure that you clean up after it.”

“Squawk!” Jackal glared at Pac upsettingly after hearing this.

“You don’t have to worry about that. My Jackal is well potty trained.”

“If you say so.” Still partially covering his face, Pac went in search of the medical staff to get his wounds looked at. He told a fellow rebel nearby to park the van in the garage.

“Jackal I’m so glad that we’ve finally reunited. Follow me. Let’s have a stroll around before tucking in.” Selene brought Jackal outside the secure complex. Both of them journeyed across the upper street while absorbing their surroundings. The passer-by stopped and stared fixedly at the rare growth spurt of Jackal. He was extremely massive for his type of bird.

They continued their night stroll across Liberal Vista until many activities were erased from the streets. Most of the establishments have already closed; people have gone home to get some shut-eye. “Now that everyone has gone indoors. The island is so peaceful and quiet. Don’t you think, Jackal?”

[Squawk!] Jackal agreed with Selene’s evaluation. Enjoying their time together, they travelled down a very steep slope to visit the beachfront. The brilliant moonlight reflecting on the ocean surface illuminated Selene’s extrasensory perception, Jackals too. His crimson eyes were a glimmering splendour of youth.

“We should go back now before those people close the gate on us.” Selene’s legs became tired as she was climbing back up the hill. “Help me out here.” She requested aid from her feathery companion. Jackal willingly complied by letting Selene ride on its back.

“Yah! Giddy-up! Faster!” [Squawk!] Jackal galloped like a loyal steed. It spread its train of feathers as it dashed all the way up the steep slope. Within half an hour, they arrived back at the secured mansion.

“Whew, that was fun.” Selene wiped some excited sweat from her brows after dismounting Jackal. She caressed her pet’s head for a brief period. Feeling satisfied, Jackal followed Selene up to her room. He was a well-trained house pet, almost humanized. So Selene didn’t have to worry about him making a mess of things.

Both of them tidied up; ate some snacks before snuggling into bed. Jackal took up most of the mattress space, Selene had to cotch at the edge to get some shut-eye. [ZZzzz!]