Song of the Red-Legged Birds: Chapter 36, Part 1: Re-exist
Bodhi is born
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With gratitude, Bill
Last week, in chapter 35, Part 2, Ira was pinned down.
Chapter 36, Part 1: Re-exist
Scott and Takeda were each ten yards from where Ira sat, trapped in the flock. All at once, a scream came from the tree, and the birds stampeded back into the mouth. In a flash, they were gone. Its face morphed back into the bark as it returned to vertical. Earsplitting fractures bit the air, accompanied by a shower of leaves that cascaded to the ground. The roots that held Ira retracted into the earth, leaving nothing but the smell of disturbed soil.
It became quiet, except for the sound of Ira’s body slumping into the dirt.
Scott walked up to him cautiously. Takeda followed suit, keeping an eye on the tree that was now as motionless as a tree should be.
Scott took Ira’s pulse at the wrist.
“Is he dead?” Takeda said, standing over him.
Scott held up a hand, “Nah.” He patted Ira down, looking for weapons. The crumbled fragments of a cell phone fell from a torn pocket. He picked up a knife and stun gun from the ground and gave them to Takeda. “Watch this asshole. I’ll sweep the rest of the area and make sure he was alone.”
“Holly’s mother made it sound like there was only one guy,” Takeda said, training the gun on Ira.
“Can’t be too careful. That was something, wasn’t it?” Scott said, bending down to pick up a black feather from the ground.
“I’ve got no words,” Takeda said, reaching out to touch the tree but pulling his hand away. He stepped backward and looked up, shading his eyes. “Huh...”
“What?” Scott said.
Takeda pointed, “Look up there. There’s a feather sticking out from where its mouth was.”
“Creepy.” Scott walked backward a few steps to take it in, then turned toward the house. “I’ll be right back.”
Takeda watched him walk away and then squatted down next to Ira. He was breathing, and his eyes moved behind the closed lids as if in REM sleep. This is a killer? Looks like a used car salesman.
“Mom, wait!” Holly yelled.
Diane appeared on the porch with Holly on her heels.
Takeda waved, “It’s okay, he’s… it’s okay. I think.”
Diane ran down the steps and over to Takeda with Holly and Sheila chasing after her. “What happened to him?” She knelt next to Ira.
“Uh, hard to say,” Takeda said. He locked eyes with Holly, then looked up at the tree. Her eyes widened, and she took a step backward.
Diane patted Ira’s cheek, “Hey, you in there? Is he sleeping?”
“I’m not sure.” Takeda nudged Ira’s foot.
Diane stared at Ira for a long moment without saying anything.
“Mom?” Holly said.
“Get him inside, please. Now,” Diane whispered. She stood and noticed several black feathers underfoot.
“Mom? He’s a killer! Screw this guy. Leave him here. Let’s call the cops.”
She looked at Holly, and touched her shoulder, “Let’s get him inside, dear, please.”
Holly huffed, “Sheila, would you mind?”
Sheila scooped him up with ease and carried him back to the house. The rest of the group followed, shuffling through the leaves.
Once they got inside, Diane said, “Put him on the couch.” She propped up Ira’s feet and put a pillow under his head.
They stood over him when he began moving and opened his eyes.
“Hello,” Ira said, looking around.
“Hello? Hello! Is that all you have to say, asshole!” Holly yelled, lunging at his throat.
“Stop, stop!” Diane ordered and grabbed her arm.
“Jesus, Mom, this guy could’ve killed you, me, all of us! Why aren’t you pissed!”
Ira sat up. Sheila moved in front of him like the moon blocking the sun.
“I’m sorry, who am I?” Ira said.
“Who are you? That’s your question you piece of shit! You’re a fuckin murderer, and you’re going to get what’s coming to you.”
Ira’s eyes widened, then softened. He rubbed his head. “I, I don’t remember. I’m sorry.” He looked from face to face, searching for a clue. “You’re all clearly upset with me. If I’ve done something to offend you, I’m truly, very sorry. I’d like to make it up to you in any way I can, but I’m a little freaked out at the moment.”
“Bull-fucking-shit,” Holly said, hands balled into fists.
“Language, enough.” Diane snapped back.
He looked at the palms of his hands. “I don’t seem to remember where or who I am. A bit frightening. What a beautiful house this is. My head hurts.” Ira winced.
Diane pulled a chair in front of Ira and stared into his eyes. She stared so long that Takeda tapped Holly on the shoulder and made a face. Holly shrugged and relaxed a little.
Ira broke the silence, “I’m so sorry that I can’t introduce myself, but I must say that your eyes are quite lovely.”
“Sheila? Crunch him up into a little ball that Triscuit could play with,” Holly said.
“You’ll do no such thing.” Diane held up a hand, “My name is Diane.”
“Triscuit...? Sheila, where is she?” Takeda said, panicked.
“She cool. Buckled into the back seat.”
“I’m going to get her,” Takeda went outside.
“Young man, what do you remember?” Diane asked Ira as she sat in front of him.
Ira looked down at his clothes and ran a hand over himself, looking for clues. He brushed off some debris. His expression was like a chalkboard recently erased.” Very pleased to meet you, Diane,” he said, hesitating as if testing new vocal cords. “I guess that’s strange to hear because clearly you know something about me… something bad, I gather. I’m sorry, but I don’t remember anything. All I can tell you is that I feel very peaceful–even happy. Except, of course, for the fact that I’ve done something to distress you, kind people. It’s a beautiful day to be alive, and I’ll be in your debt until I can repay whatever damage I’ve done.” He clasped his hands together.
“This guy’s good,” Scott said, quietly appearing and leaning in the open back door. “Hi, Mrs. Johnson. My name is Scott.”
Diane was startled for a moment, “Oh, hello. My, how many more people are here, Holly?”
“Aside from Triscuit, that’s Takeda’s dog; you’ve met everyone.”
On cue, Takeda came in with Triscuit, who bounded at Diane and sat wriggling by her feet. She reached down to pat her, and the dog squealed with joy.
“Wow, I’ve never seen her do that with someone she hasn’t met,” Takeda said with a slack jaw.
Ira tried to pat the dog. Triscuit stopped wagging her tail momentarily, cocked her head, and inspected the stranger. Then she pawed him, nudged his hand, and resumed bobbing her tail.
“Seriously, Tris? Not you, too. “Holly said, shaking her head, looking betrayed. “And I’ve definitely never seen her do that with a murderer. But, to be fair, I think you’re her first.”
Ira looked shocked, “I’m sorry, you’ve all been so nice. Twice it’s been mentioned that I’m a murderer. If that’s true, please call the police and restrain me for your safety. I can’t imagine such a thing, but I won’t risk harming anyone, nor a flea on this pup’s head. Not that this beautiful creature has fleas.” He stopped patting Triscuit and put both hands, palms up on his knees in supplication.
Triscuit fell over. Diane gasped and helped the pup back to her feet.
“Sounds good to me. Scott, this guy’s got zip ties somewhere. Check the car. Let’s get him cuffed and call the cops.” Holly said.
“Cool,” Scott said and started for the door.
“No,” Diane said without ambiguity.
Diane faced Ira, “You don’t know your name?”
“I’m sorry, I don’t.”
“Well, what should we call you then?”
“Whatever you like, ma’am,” Ira said, lowering his eyes.
She studied his face. “First, please call me Diane. Second, I like to know the names of guests in my home, and you never introduced yourself. Since we found you under a tree, let’s call you Bodhi. I don’t know that you’ve reached enlightenment, but you’ve certainly been awakened. Just until we figure out your real name, okay?”
“It would be my honor,” he said, bowing his head.
“Are you hungry? Would you like to have dinner?”
“Oh… my… god,” Holly said, walking away.
Diane dismissed her comment with a flick of the chin.
“Only if you wouldn’t mind that I cook. For some reason, I feel that I know my way around a kitchen,” the newly anointed ‘Bodhi’ said.
“That sounds lovely. I do hope you can stay?” Diane said to the group.
“Uh, Mom, I’m not leaving you here with this guy. Ever. So yeah, I’ll stay, we’ll stay, right guys?”
“Great!” Diane said, getting up. “Bodhi, the kitchen is that way. If you’ll all excuse me, I’m going to freshen up upstairs and be right back.”
Bodhi (née Ira) got up like he was standing on ice, searched their confused faces, and walked to the kitchen.
“Sheila, would you mind watching Chef Bodhi in the kitchen, please? Lots of stabby things in there, you know?” Holly said as Diane went up the stairs.
“Yup,” Sheila said.
“And Scott, stay on your toes out here. Maybe Mr. Forgetful has other people coming to save his stupid ass. Also, please call Wake, and let him know what’s going on if he hasn’t already seen this shit show through the button cameras. I’d like to know if he’d have dinner with this psychopath or if he has a better suggestion.”
“Will do, don’t worry about a thing,” Scott said.
“Great. I’m going to smoke.” Holly stepped over the broken chair and went out the front door.
She was sitting on the small wooden front steps when Takeda came outside and sat beside her. “Hey, H, you okay?”
She inhaled the smoke and let it go. “No, I’m not. One stupid thing to the next. We come up here to save her and end up having dinner with this guy. I’m losing my grip on reality.” She looked at him, grabbed his arm, and nuzzled her face against it. He leaned into her.
“Your Mom seems pretty cool.”
She leaned back and looked at him. “Tak, she’s a nut,” Holly paused, “I take that back, she’s a lot like me, and that’s frustrating as hell. That woman is a damn saint, but sometimes I have no idea what she’s going to do. She’s always had this thing about the good in people, but this is extreme.”
Takeda pointed over his shoulder. “Some shit happened to him over there. I saw it. Probably similar to what you saw in Boston. That tree came to life, and the birds came from it, like, out of it. Except this tree didn’t disappear, it’s still over there.”
Holly’s eyes widened, and she started to turn, but they both noticed an older woman coming down the street. The woman enthusiastically waved as she approached the driveway, “Hello there!”
Holly leaned toward Takeda and muttered, “It’s my Mom’s neighbor, Sasha.” Standing up, she said, “Hi, Sasha. How are you?”
“Holly? Is that you, dear? Oh my, look at you!”
“Yes, it’s me, and this is my friend, Takeda,” she said so loud that he leaned away in surprise before standing.
“Pleased to meet you, ma’am.”
“Oh, isn’t he a nice boy,” she said, winking at Holly. “Are you still living in Boston?”
“Yes, we’re visiting Mom. How’re you and Kevin?”
“I’m fine, the aches and pains of anyone my age, I suppose. I apologize for stopping by without calling first. I heard loud noises coming from here and saw strange cars in the driveway. I wanted to make sure everything was all right. Of course, Kevin said I should mind my own business, but I’m not about to start that now,” she laughed.
“Ah, the noise.” Holly paused for a moment.
Takeda jumped in, “I, uh, brought a couple of friends with me. They were helping with some yard work, ...leaf blowing and stuff.”
“Isn’t that nice! I’ll have to tell Kevin that at least someone is tending to their yard around here. That still won’t pull him away from his VR headset and the football game, games, I mean. It’s like he’s not even in the house with me sometimes–I swear!” She put her hands on her hips.
Holly laughed and nudged Takeda, who did the same.
“Well, I’ll leave you all to your visit then. Please say hello to your mother for me. It was so good to see you, Holly, and to meet you, Takeda. And Holly dear, I hate being that person, but I hope you stop smoking soon. It’ll be the death of you.” She wagged a bony finger over her shoulder while walking away.
“Okay, I will, promise,” she said while crushing out the one she was smoking. She held it up for Sasha to see, and the woman waved in return.
“Nice to have good neighbors like that,” Takeda said, waving.
“Yeah,” Holly said, sitting. “So, what happened over there, with the tree? What did you see?”
“At first, I couldn’t even tell the dude, Bodhi or whatever, was there at all. There was a giant mass of red-legged birds flying in circles. And the tree had, like, these red slits for eyes, and a mouth, like you’d described before. Then suddenly, the birds disappeared into the mouth of the tree, and there were these roots holding the dude down, and they vanished back into the ground.”
Holly started to tap another cigarette out.
“Breaking your promise already?” He nodded in the direction Sasha walked.
She put the pack down. “Are these things on our side? Wake made it sound like we should be worried about the government, and maybe that’s who fuck-face in there is working for, but it never occurred to me that the birds and trees are trying to help us. What other explanation do you have? They just took down someone who was out to kill us all.”
She jumped off the porch and walked towards the side yard.
“Wait up!” Takeda said.
Holly shuffled through the leaves and walked right up to the tree. “What do you want from us?” She pushed against it. “Hey! I’m talking to you! You’re not going to disappear on me again? Why all the secrecy? What the shit is this all about! Use words!” She kicked the base of the tree, and pieces of bark flew. “Hey, fucker!”
"Holly, stop…” Takeda stammered.
She pushed at the tree again, and fell into it, down, fast into the sky.
Why won’t the reserve open? Wind smacked hard against her. Thick smoke obscured her goggles and seeped into her lungs. Fuck, I don’t want to die, I don’t want to die… a branch touched her, a cocoon, the soft needles of the ground. Who was yelling? Bill? Where is my chute? Is that tree standing back up?
“Hey!” Takeda was cradling her, sitting on the ground, when she came to.
“Oh god, oh god, Tak...” she wept hard, burying her face into his chest.
“What’s wrong? What happened?”
Holly stood up shakily and stepped in front of the tree. She hugged it and whispered, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Thank you.”
She stepped back, wiping her nose with her sleeve, “I’m okay. I’m better than okay.” She patted the tree and looked up at it. “Yeah, these guys are definitely on our side.”
“If you say so, then I believe it. What happened?”
She grabbed his face with both hands. “There was something that I never understood or could explain. Now I can and do. I’ll tell you sometime, but it’s between me and this wooden bad-boy right now.” She patted the tree and smiled. “Let’s go inside.”
Next week in Chapter 36, Part 2, “Re-exist,” The crew hears from wake