Mack purses his lips and looks around the yard. “We need to find them, and quickly.”
Sofia jogs down the steps, frowning. “They aren’t here, but there’s a coffee cup on the bench, and it’s still warm. I’m really worried. Where could they be?”
I look at the shed and make my way towards it.
“Whoa!”
I look over my shoulder at Elijah’s soft hiss.
He’s looking behind us. I turn and find that our path into the yard is surrounded by white bodies. They have landed in a flutter of wings. Seagulls study us with alien gazes. The perplexed tilts of their heads are unnerving, but the sheer number of them is terrifying.
“What the hell?” I mutter, turning so I’m facing them.
I instinctively step back before I remember I’m an alpha, and these are just birds.
A couple rush us, flapping their wings and screaming.
“Um, there was a movie like this, right? What was it called?” Mack whispers anxiously.
Sofia gets the giggles, which turns to cackles, and then morphs so she’s almost doubled over howling with laughter. Seagulls rush us, and I grab her and put her behind me. I’m not scared exactly, but I’m cautious.
“Stay behind me, Sofia. I’ll save you.”
That really sets her off.
“They might eat me?” She crouches on the ground, trying to hold herself up, swiping at tears.
I glance over my shoulder at her. “Really?”
She laughs so hard she snorts.
I step back. They advance.
“Death by bird was not how I planned to go out. Tell everyone we fought well!” She says in between hysterical laughter.
We retreat step by step. I have to admit, I’m getting panicked. Danger barks at the end of his lead, and Elijah swoops in and lifts him to the safety of his arms.
“We need to get in the shed!” Elijah says.
“Get the door open,” I say as even more gulls arrive.
Elijah and Mack drag a still giggling Sofia to the shed. The seagulls scream in protest.
“It’s locked!” Mack says in alarm. The screaming of the gulls is deafening.
Elijah bangs on it as hard as he can. “Grandpa! Help!”
A seagull swoops down; it’s bigger than the rest.
“Hello, Sullivan, my old rival,” I mutter. “You aren’t going to win this war!” I warn him.
He tilts his head to the side, calm amidst the screaming chaos that are his brethren. I slide my foot back, and he responds by shaking his feathers and opening his beak to let out a truly intimidating shriek.
“Get in here!” Grandma shouts.
I whirl and rush towards the door, getting inside just before they can follow us.
Sofia is doubled over, her hands on her knees, laughing so hard she’s crying. She can’t seem to stop.
