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“I hope you’re having a stellar weekend, folks! Thank you for visiting the Creaked Star Exhibit, this city’s largest rescue zoo. It’s our pleasure to guide you so you can meet every one of our unique creatures that have been rescued by our organization. Please remember that Creaked Star closes at exactly four o’clock PM today, and three-thirty tomorrow. Now let's begin with the morning’s activities, which include a relaxing scavenger hunt, Animal Bingo, and a chance to meet our exotic birds, starting right around the corner!”
The familiar voice babbled on. His voice was muffled because of the glass, but Gil still knew what he was saying. He already memorized every word.
Today was Saturday, and he only knew because a large crowd was assembled around them. If it were any other day, they'd be ignored for the more mighty, bloodthirsty animals such as the mountain lions and wolves. But Gil didn't mind living in silence, without the cameras flashing into his eyes, or the young children drumming on the glass.
But to him, the silence wasn't peaceful either.
The silence made him feel even more trapped.
"How are you folks doing?" one of the staff employees, Corbin, asked a mother and her child.
The mother smiled courteously. "We're doing fine, thank you."
"Glad to hear that. Would you like an introduction? This is a wonderful place to start."
"Very much, please."
The employee pointed at Gil. "This is Gil, a lovely starling who can understand a bit of human speech. He tends to be shy, but he has the voice of an angel." This was his cue to sing his four-note tune, the tune that would always blow the crowd away. But this time, he didn't utter a sound. Corbin waited, stiffening.
"His feathers," the mother began.
Her son interrupted. "No bird," he said, pointing to an empty glass cage next to Gil. All that was left in the cage was a single purple feather that belonged to another starling — Violet. Gil knew Violet. They were just strangers until the capture, until fate had placed them next to each other. She told him about how she witnessed her friend's abduction, and that they never saw each other again.
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Tap. Tap. Tap. The sound of Violet frantically knocking on the glass.
Chirp. The sound of Gil pleading her to stop.
He would never forget her harsh, sudden cry when she was taken away hours later.
Now Gil would never see Violet again.
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The other birds erupted in mellow warbling. Gil joined in.
"Look, Mom! He's singing!"
But he wasn't singing. He was weeping, calling out for freedom. Mourning for Violet. Was she still alive? What did they do to her? But no one understood. Anguish filled the cramped cage, choking the air out of him. With another breath, Gil whistled a short melody. The melody his sister sang to comfort him every night when the sun set. About freedom.
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The audience clapped, gradually clearing out of the area.
It was all over, only for today. Another day locked, another day on display.
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