ZW15- Good Evening No. 7

MAELSTROM

(based on The Birds)

"It's just up ahead, right around this canyon."

They've been travelling through the desert for close to an hour, ever since leaving their caravan to wait for them.  It's entirely possible that they'll be turned away before they can set foot in the village, and so it's best if they are waited for, just in case.  In the event that they are not thrown out, their guide has orders to head back to camp and wait for their signal in the morning.  They shouldn't want to stay more than twenty four hours if it all goes well.  It isn't that Zuko wants to leave quickly, only that he's been inordinately busy since becoming the Fire Lord.  Every day, it seems, someone has a new problem, or there's a new legislation for him to approve, or there's another commotion in the streets because some people don't understand that the war is over and Ozai isn't coming back.  

That he was able to get even this much time off to visit the Earth Kingdom is a minor miracle.  

Katara accompanies him because that's what wives-to-be do for their future husbands.  More importantly, it's what friends do for friends.  She's interested in this little village Zuko speaks of so fondly, and sadly.  She wants to understand the regret in his words when he talks about the boy he befriended.  Lee.  He had liked him enough to use his name when hiding out from Azula.  Now, it's time to see what became of him in the last year and a half.  He was probably taller now, more mature.  The last time they met, he told Zuko he hated him.  Time will have softened that rage.  The end of the war and the new reign of peace will have shown the tiny village that some firebenders can be trusted.  At least, that's what Zuko hopes.

A bird flies overhead as they make their way across city limits.  Strange.  Zuko didn't remember seeing any birds around here last time.  

"I don't see anyone," Katara says.

Zuko looks around, and indeed, there are no people.  It's not that unusual.  It's early in the day, and it's possible no one has woken up yet.  

They enter the village, and Zuko instantly gets a negative feeling from the place.  Last time he was here, this village was under siege from selfish Earth Kingdom soldiers.  They've long since been driven out.  Now, everything is quiet, and that's the thing that bothers Zuko the most.

It's too quiet here.

Another bird glides to a tall building and joins six or seven others perched on a door that's been left open. Inside is pitch black, not even the sun streams through.  Taking a closer look, Zuko feels a sinking sensation as he realizes the windows have been boarded up.  

"What is going on around here?" he asks.

Katara shakes her head and points.  "I don't know, but I think we should move.  Those birds don't look right."

Zuko glances at them.  They glance back.  Their beady black eyes seem to cut through his defenses and eat away at his soul.  He doesn't know how to describe it, he doesn't even know if it isn't just his imagination, but he agrees with Katara either way.  Something's not right.

"Hey!"  

The voice came from behind them, from a crack in one of the plywood boards that's just wide enough for half a face to stick out.  Zuko takes a step towards the building, which appears to be a tavern of some sort.  He stays ahead of Katara, knowing that she'll chastise him later for being overprotective.  Right now, he doesn't care.  

"Sir, where is everyone?" he asks.  "Why are the streets empty?"

"Those of us left are hiding," says the man.  Someone deeper inside starts speaking, but their words are impossible to make out.  The man turns around to shush them.  "You should be hiding, too.  Unless you two want to get your eyes pecked out."

"Pecked out?"  Katara has caught up with him, and she stares at the man's one eye in horror.  "What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about the birds!  Can't you see them?"

The flapping of wings draws their attention.  Zuko turns to see that the number of birds had multiplied again.  Twenty or so had sat upon the roof just minutes ago.  Now, there are hundreds, all big and black and staring down at Zuko and Katara like a starving man before a plate of food.  Some have their wings outstretched, not flying yet but ready to lift off.  One wrong move, and they'll swarm.  What they will do, Zuko can't say, but he takes Katara by the hand and her pulls her close.

"What is happening here?" Zuko wonders aloud.

"Buddy, if I knew, I'd tell you," says the man.  "All I can say is they started acting crazy about a week ago, flying around in a swarm and scratching everyone to death.  They always show up around this time of day, so I'd recommend you find some shelter and do it now.  Would let you in myself, except we're already pretty full in here."

"Wait!" Zuko says before he can leave.  "Just tell me... do you know a boy named Lee?"

"Lee?  You mean Gansu's boy?  Of course!"

"Do you know if he's all right?"

"Last I checked, him and his mother were stocking up to barricade the cellar.  That was about two days ago.  If those damn rats didn't get to them, that's were they'll be."

He disappears before Zuko can thank him.  Another board falls into place, and now the street is as devoid of life as it ever was.  Only the birds remain.  The birds and Zuko and Katara.  They've started cawing at them, a wave here and there of bird calls that are menacing in a way Zuko never thought possible.  He clutches Katara's hand.  She clutches back, though there is no fear in it.  There's none in her eyes either.  Her free hand is next to her water pouch.  The sun is high in the cloudless sky.  There's a pair of swords on his back and a dagger in his satchel.  They're both ready for a fight, unlikely as their foes my be.

"Come on, I know where to go from here."

They walk very slowly down the street, no sudden movements.  Thousands of eyes follow them, heads turning unnaturally far to watch them pass.  Everywhere Zuko looks, it seems more birds are appearing.  They come out of nowhere.  One minute an area is clear, the next it's home to sharp, grasping talons and a sea of rustling feathers.  One bird caws at Katara when she gets too close.  The sound makes her jump and Zuko holds her tighter.

"Be careful," he tells her.

"Easier said than done," she says, and when Zuko looks at her next, he sees the first hints of fear break through.  They match his own.  "What are we going to do?"

They leave the main street behind, and beyond it is no relief from the infestation.  Birds line every rock and every upturned piece of farm equipment.  The fields have been ravaged, nothing let but shreds of leaves and dying stalks.  A scarecrow has been picked apart with straw scattered in the wind.  It's missing a face and both arms.  There are ten birds perched atop it, watching.  Always watching. 

"We'll do the same thing we always do," Zuko says, as together they move further into the maelstrom.