“Hey Melvin, come over here, we gotta situation, c’mon, look over there at that human couple. They got those sandwiches, I think they’re called, boogles or something. Those humans are always snacking on them in the morning. They don’t look too happy, no?”
“No, but hold up Harry. I’m dealing with this small lady, one with glass circles on her eyes. She can’t hear a damn thing I tell you. You always gotta look for the one with those lines on their foreheads, real deep lines. Those ones never know you’re coming. This lady, she got a brown bag full of potential.”
“I’m bored of the deaf old ones, okay Melvin? Come on, these people right here. He’s focused on his little rectangle thing, moving his thumbs and nodding, and she, she looks like she can’t control her foot. It won’t stop thumping the ground! She seems awfully concerned with his little rectangle thing.”
Melvin agreed, if this mission were successful it would certainly be more rewarding. The woman’s body was stationed perpendicular to the side of the man’s, while she lazily held her bagel like a glass of wine at a tired cocktail party. Melvin flew in front of the couple, while Harry swooped from behind. As Harry’s tiny beak pecked the bagel, the woman shrieked, flinging the sandwich into the air.
“Damn you flying rats!”
Marvin flew around in a victory lap, circling the boyfriend, who still hadn’t looked up from his phone, before going in on the fallen bagel.
“See Melvin? I told you they were suckers.” Melvin couldn’t reply because he was too busy stuffing his beak.
That afternoon the duo retreated to the top of their post—the roof of Belmont station. Their days were filled with targeting the meek and elderly; sometimes they were delighted when a man in a suit who spoke too loud into an earpiece would approach the platform. Those who took themselves too seriously were always the best targets.
One morning in the middle of March around 9 A.M., they felt something in the air change. This was usually peak season—more people took their time buying food they didn’t need and chatting with strangers. The sunshine did wonders for the Chicagoans’ morale. Today though, there were only three humans, all of whom kept to themselves and wore funny looking cloth on their faces. Their eyes were glazed over, fixated on some distant light. Not one glanced at their phones. All three stood at a distance, and no one uttered a single word. When the train approached, they waited, stepping almost reluctantly toward the opening doors. That alarmed Melvin and Harry the most. Normally folks pushed, and even pulled their way in front of their neighbor, carelessly dropping coins, receipts, granola bars, and candy wrappers.
In the days before, humans had been carrying unusual amounts of food, but the pigeons had dismissed this behavior as a result of the glorious weather. Now the platform was barren. Fortunately, they were a savvy duo. They began rummaging through alleys, eating mostly Thai and deep-dish scraps. Actually, they were eating better than ever, but they were profoundly unsatisfied. No longer did they need to intricately plot against their next victim or memorize characteristics of the most vulnerable. No longer did they relish in curses cried out by angry humans, signifying a job well done. No longer did they retreat to their post exchanging stories of triumph and defeat. Nonetheless, Melvin and Harry took time to watch from their post every day. Each day they would bet on the date the people would return. Whoever eventually guessed right would get dibs on plotting their first attack. One day the people would be back, they assured one another, though they both silently asked themselves, when?
I am a sophomore studying English and Peace Justice and Conflict Studies. I enjoy writing short fiction and creative nonfiction. I am originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. In my free time I like to read, make earrings, watch films with friends and try new restaurants. In the future I hope to work with kids and young adults, empowering them with the tools to express their truth through writing and storytelling. I am also interested in the editing and publishing fields.