Tonight it looks as though Skyehaven’s Songbirds have a new song to sing. The two vigilantes known as The Crow and The Sparrow seem to be moving up from breaking up fist fights and stopping petty theft to targeting gangbangers. According to an inside source, the Skyehaven Police Department has seen a drastic uptick in reports of members of the Kingsnakes gang being found bound, gagged and beaten in the past month. Here is the Chief of Police with a statement.
“Make no mistake, these men are not doing justice any favors. They are taking the law into their own hands with no respect for law and order. These “Songbirds” are putting not only a danger to the people of Skyehav-
Adem clicked the radio in the small bookshop to some relaxing jazz. He had been hearing about how the Songbirds were a menace to society. He couldn’t even get away from it here at The Second Story. He loved it here: the musty smell of old books, the peaceful silence that only comes from a room full of paper, and the Stuarts. John and Millie treated Adem like a son not like their only employee probably because they didn't have any children of their own. He pretty much ran the place, the only thing he didn’t take care of personally was signing the check for the power company.
“Whatcha thinkin’ about?” Ruby’s question pulled him out of his thoughts.
Adem jumped. “When did you get here,” He asked looking around the shop as though someone else would jump out from behind a pile of books.
Ruby giggled, “Depends. How long were you zoned out for?” Adem rolled his eyes in response.
Before Ruby could continue harassing him they heard scuffling coming from the stairs. Millie was coming through the back where the stairs to the Stuarts home were. They owned the building and lived upstairs. “Hi, Mrs. Stuart,” Ruby smiled and greeted the elderly lady sweetly.
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Millie grimaced playfully, “I told you young lady, it’s Millie to any girlfriend of Adem’s,” She set down the still hot tray of muffins she had been carrying on the small wooden counter.
“Millie, she’s not my girlfriend. I’ve told you that,” Adem smiled even while he scolded the elderly woman.
“Well,” Millie waggled a finger at him, “Why not? Hmm? You’d do well to have a little spitfire like her on your arm. She’d keep you in line and not let you get away with anything.”
Ruby stifled a laugh, “Yeah, keep him on the straight ‘n’ narrow.”
Millie and Ruby shared a chuckle then Millie told them, “You two take those muffins home, y’hear. You’re both too skinny.” She gave Adem a sideways hug then shuffled off back up the stairs.
“Don’t humor her. The way she talks I’m gonna die sad, alone and underfed,” Adem said still smiling from the residual aura of cheeriness Millie exuded.
Ruby with half a muffin in her mouth replied, “Well, she’s right. All you do is work here and sleep. As a matter of fact you should come hang out with me and Chelsea later.”
“There’s this Chelsea person again,” Adam deflected the invitation, “So you do have a life outside breaking into my apartment and loitering in this bookstore.”
“I have friends, and I wouldn’t have to break in if you just gave me a key.” Ruby managed through a mouthful of muffin.
“No.”
“Why not?” Ruby pouted.
“Because I said so,” Adem scooped the muffins into a plastic baggie that he kept a box of for just this kind of thing, “Now take these muffins and scram. I gotta lock up. I’m meeting James and I don't want to be late.”