Talking Birds

Ch.1

Billy found the strange Arrowhead by the creek next to the old oak that stands at the waters edge. It was metallic, shiny, and kinda futuristic looking. At least that's how Billy saw it.

He placed it in his shirt pocket patting it in place. Satisfied that it would stay in place, Billy ran off after his brother's down the creek.
He arrived at the creek's bend, where the water is deep, several seconds behind the other boys.

They were there on the bluff looking out over the water.

Jimmy and Paul were throwing rocks into the deep and listening to the paloop sound that was made by the heavy rocks plunging into the depths. They looked at each other with matching grins and then ran on just as Billy was catching up to them.

Billy paused and took a much needed breath bending over hands on knees looking steadily at the ground before him. Just as air was returning to it's rightful place Billy heard something. Or he thought he did. The small bird digging in the leaves for insects stopped for a millisecond in it's hunt and looking in Billy's direction said, "I suppose you will have to throw some rocks now also?" Billy blinked and turned his head slightly thinking his thoughts were far too loud today.

Birds can't talk.

If he had learned anything in his 7 years of life it was that animals don't speak to people accept in movies, and children's stories.

The next stop the brothers visited was a park in the neighborhood. The swings were low and the slide was short but they remember when they seemed much bigger.

They climbed up on the playground equipment and took a rest. Billy was glad for the pause in all the running. He was the youngest and therefore the slowest.

Jimmy was 10, Paul was 11, and James was 13. James was the leader. As the oldest brother he decided where they went, what they did, and settled all disputes among them. And he had to settle one now.

Jimmy found a grasshopper and was looking at it fascinated by it's design. Jimmy was a bit of an artist and his favorite subject has always been science. He was captivated by the beauty and function of the living universe.

Paul had other plans for the grasshopper. As soon as Jimmy was distracted Paul snatched the grasshopper and started back for the creek.

He was going to throw it in the water and watch the fish eat it. Paul's pleasures were a bit on the crude side. His idea of entertainment was watching highlights of sports injuries and laughing at the outcome.

Jimmy cried out and James noticed. He wasn't sure why yet but he took off after Paul. Paul arrived first at the creek and threw the grasshopper into the deep end. James got there just in time to see the insect pulled below the surface never to be seen again.

Jimmy knew it was too late when he got to James. James didn't have to ask what happened. He shoved Paul to the ground and said "Apologize!"
Paul looked up but didn't get up. "Why it's just a bug?" "Because if you don't I will send you in after it." James was the best grappler among them. There was no question about if he could do what he said.

Paul looked at Jimmy, "Sorry!" It sounded more like an accusation than an apology but James nodded and let it go.

Billy, always late to the action, arrived bending over and taking fast breaths. "What happened?" "Nothing!" They all said. If there was one thing they could all agree on it's that their business was none of Billy's. Paul stood, and as he did Billy heard someone say. "You have to watchout for that one!" It came from the trees but Billy couldn't find from where. He looked around obviously startled. "What's the matter with you?, James asked. Billy looked at him. Then looked away. They didn't hear it. "Nothing."

Ch.2

James looked absent mindedly at everyone in turn. "Let's go to the pond."

At the pond, James looked about eagerly. The others knew why. Jenny is almost always here this time of day. They didn't say anything because they knew he would deny it, and more so, he might protest the comment with his fist.

They didn't have to wait long she was already in the water when they arrived. Jenny was 14, and she was a dream. Likely in many of James dreams anyway. He stared at her from the bank for a bit before saying anything. The brothers rolled their eyes, exchanged looks of disapproval and began looking for something to occupy themselves. They knew they might be here for a while.

James called out. "Jenny! How are you!?" She was far enough away he felt he had to shout. Jenny did not shout but everyone heard her just fine. You could hear the dismissal in her voice and the cold calculation of a disinterested young lady that knew she had the upper hand in the conversation. "Yes, James I am just fine." Jenny was in 8th grade and James was in the 7th. This made them miles apart in social circles and if this was at school James would likely not even attempt to talk to her. Here though, in his mind, was level ground.

Jenny knew James liked her and she figured the other brothers did too. She admitted to herself, ever so briefly, that she came to the pond at the same time of day for the water but, maybe more so, for the admiration.

Billy arrives hands on hips and staining for breath. He hears it. All at once from the trees all around. "Pain." 'Snake." "Stripe." The words repeat in quick succession beginning to overlap one another as Billy desperately tries to find their origin looking from tree to tree. Then they stop. And one word hangs in the air "girl." Just then Jenny cries out in a short burst of pain. A pause and then screaming. James dives in. The other boys scramble on the bank not knowing what to do or what happened.

James was fast. Before they knew it he had her out of the water and safe on land. At least they thought so.

Jenny's eyes were wide with terror and she was breathing fast. Her left arm was swelling fast. It was already three times it's normal circumference.

None of the boys knew what happened. After a few attempts to calm Jenny James told Paul and Jimmy to run to Jenny's house and get her parents. They didn't hesitate. Running as fast as they could and calling out to Mr. And Mrs Spitzer.

Paul and Jimmy ran in the back door of the home but no one was there. They called out to James letting him know that her parents weren't there. James told Billy to stay with her and he ran to the house. "There is no one here!" Paul was panicking and tears where in his eyes. James spotted the phone and called 911.

Paul and Jimmy ran back to check on Jenny. She was sobbing now resting her head on little Billy's lap. Her left arm was turning black and blue above the elbow. Billy cried silently making sure she didn't see. He wanted her to not be afraid and he didn't think his crying would help.

"Jenny," Paul said, "you are going to be ok." He didn't know why he said this but it felt right to say. Jimmy nodded vigorously but Jenny wasn't looking at them nor did it seem that she heard them. Jenny was trembling now uncontrollably and the sobs shook Billy as he struggled to keep his balance trying desperately to be a good pillow because he didn't know what else to do.

James returned and everyone looked to hear his report including Jenny.

James said he called 911 and paramedics were on their way. He sat down and took Billy's place holding Jenny. "Go wait for them, and lead them here," James said, trying to take the fear out of his voice.

Billy didn't leave but sat in the dirt stunned by the surrealness of the situation. Jimmy and Paul ran as fast as they could to the roadside, thankful for something to do to help their friend. They never thought of her as a friend before but clearly they cared about her.

The paramedics arrived with the two boys in tow. Neither of them knew what to say when asked so they just lead them down to the ponds shore.

The paramedics saw Jenny laying on the ground sobbing her arm swollen black and blue. "What happened?" Billy spoke up not even realizing he was speaking. "She was bitten by a Copperhead." The dark haired paramedic checking her vitals asked, "Did you see the snake?" "No," Billy said, still not conscience he was speaking. "The birds told me." Everyone paused and looked at him. Jenny even stopped sobbing long enough to look over at him shocked by his statement. The paramedics looked at each other for a moment and then began again tending to Jenny's arm. "Well that's certainly what it looks like," said the one putting on the antiseptic and small bandage over the bite.

Jenny made a full recovery but she did end up needing the anti venom. She spent a couple of days in the hospital for observation. She had a bad reaction to the venom. That is to say worse than most people that get bit.

Billy still carried around the strange arrowhead he found all those years ago. He also learned it didn't just work with birds. However, he somehow knew he needed to keep his mouth shut on this topic and soon everyone forgot about that one time Billy heard the birds speak.