by Susan Klaus
The dirt highway ended at the harbor, and Kari was surprised at the growth of additional docks. She passed the box-shaped barges and the men working the loading equipment. Several piers away, the flat barges held brightly colored sheets of lumber. She steered her vehicle toward them. Noisy machines lifted large wood bundles off vehicle transports and placed them on waiting barges. She noticed they carried the name of Turner on their side. She pulled up alongside a man supervising the process. “Is Mr. Turner here?”
“Just missed him,” the man yelled over the loud equipment. “He flew back to the mill. Can I help you?”
“No, thanks,” she said. “I’m his daughter, and I stopped to say hi. I’ll see him later.” The man grinned and gave her a nod. She left the harbor and its smooth shell-covered lot and drove south along the coast on a narrow sandy road. In the distance she saw the little shack sitting off the beach. After a half a mile, she came to the old weathered building. Beyond the shack was a dilapidated wooden dock. Several ill-kept boats were moored to it. She parked next to a few late-model terrain vehicles, apparently belonging to fishermen. After climbing out of her vehicle, she walked through the loose sand toward the building and found it held rusted traps and other tired gear. A fish-cleaning table with a water hose rested against the shack. She turned the handle, taking a sip of cool water, and glanced up at a high pole. Dangling from the pole was a chain and hook used for large fish. A fire pit containing charred ashes was nearby and large, unburned logs circled it for sitting.
A strong wind blew from the ocean as she walked down to the long, rickety dock. The sun was setting on the horizon, and she was glad she brought a light jacket. The night would be cold. At the end of the dock, she sat down on her jacket and waited for Carol and the other girls. The barges left the piers and motored out to open water and their noisy engines engaged, lifting them above the waves. Reaching full throttle, the boats moved at great speed and were quickly out of sight.
Kari reveled in the peaceful setting. The green and yellow seabirds gracefully glided on the wind drafts, and they occasionally squawked for territory before landing on the black beach. Her thoughts drifted to the harpies. To be able to fly must be wonderful. She was so engaged in the birds and tranquility she failed to hear the footsteps on the dock.
“Aren’t those birds wonderful?” said a soft woman’s voice.
Kari glanced up and saw a young woman, close to her age. “I didn’t hear you come down the dock,” Kari said, a little surprised.
“I’m sorry I startled you. I’m Lea. May I sit with you?”
“Sure,” Kari said. “My name is Kari. Are you here for Carol’s cookout?”
Lea nodded and clasped Kari’s extended hand.
“I was just thinking that to fly like those birds must be wonderful,” Kari commented, looking at the shore.
“You really missed it here,” Lea said. “Carol told me of your travels to Earth.”
Lea’s long brown hair drifted on the wind against the red sky and her large green eyes gazed at Kari.
“You’re one of the few people that have said that,” Kari said. “That I missed Dora. Everyone thinks I was lucky to go to Earth.”
Lea shyly smiled at her.
Kari instantly liked the quiet girl. “So you’re a friend of Carol’s?”
“I know her, but I’m not sure we’re friends,” Lea said. “My mother and I make jams and jellies and sell them at Mr. Baker’s grocery store.”
Kari and Lea heard the slam of a vehicle door. Kari stood and saw Carol and two other girls. They waved at Kari to join them. “I guess we better go say, hello,” Kari said. She walked down the dock and Lea followed.
Carol’s booming voice rose above the whistling wind and broke the tranquility. “You’re early,” Carol screeched as Kari approached. “You remember Beth and Cindy from school? And Lea, you showed up. That’s a first,” Carol said sarcastically.
After Kari said hello to the other girls, Carol took her arm. “Kari, can you help me carry some drinks?” Carol dragged Kari away from the others. “I just want to let you know it was not my idea to invite Lea. My stupid father suggested it at the store. That girl gives me the creeps. She hardly speaks. She and her mother moved here from some hole north of Terrance. I think she’s missing a few marbles. Now don’t get me wrong, I tried to be her friend and invited her to our activities, but she’s never showed up. That’s why I’m rather surprised to see her.”
“I find her rather charming,” Kari said. “Maybe she needs time to get used to strangers.” Kari recalled her own isolation on Earth.
“If you enjoy a one-sided conversation, then she’s perfect,” Carol said.
Kari wondered how a conversation could be anything but one-sided when it included Carol. They unloaded the food and drinks, setting them on a small table. Kari and Lea strolled on the beach gathering firewood, and were happy to be away from the chattering voices. Carol and the other girls arranged the solar lights, and by dark, a blazing fire burned in the large pit.
“Kari, you must tell us about Earth,” Carol said as they sat on the logs and watched the fire.
Reluctantly, Kari told them about her experiences in the Earth schools. She didn’t reveal the disdain or the depression she endured. They would not have understood. After some time, she changed the subject. “Why do your boyfriend and his friends travel so far to fish and hunt? Isn’t the first island over a hundred miles away?”
“That’s your dad’s fault,” Carol said. “Mr. Turner banned hunting on his estate, and Jake has to go to the islands for a harpy.”
Kari felt her blood pressure rise and stood. “Your boyfriend is hunting the harpies?” she asked, her repulsion barely contained.
“Of course, silly,” Carol said. “Other game animals can be taken here.”
Kari grabbed her jacket. “I can’t stay here and see this.”
“Come on, Kari,” Carol mocked. “You’ve seen dead harpies. Your father holds the record for largest pair of golden wings. I heard he hung them on his porch for years.”
“I’ve never heard that,” Kari said angrily.
“Well, everyone in Westend knows about the golden he killed when it went after your mother,” Carol said.
“My father does not hunt harpies anymore,” Kari said harshly.
“What? Are you still a harpy lover?” Carol taunted. “Thought you grew up and got over that crazy notion.”
Lea walked alongside Kari. “Some things are better left unanswered,” she whispered.
“Lea, stay out of this,” Carol screeched. “It’s none of your business.”
“It is best if I go,” Lea said quietly, walking toward the road.
Kari glared at Carol. “No, I haven’t changed, but neither have you. You’re still an ignorant bitch.” She called to Lea. “Wait, Lea. I’ll come with you.” Kari ran to the vehicles and approached Lea.
“You should stay here,” Lea said, watching Carol come toward them.
“Kari,” Carol said, smiling. “I don’t know why we’re arguing over something so silly. I do want us to be good friends.” Carol was obviously sucking up since Kari was the wealthiest girl in Westend. “And Jake rarely gets a harpy. Even if he did, he strips their wings on the islands. Most harpies don’t survive the trip. I’ve only seen one live harpy that they hung on the pole here and dressed out.”
Kari gasped. “You watched?”
“It was no big deal. The thing was in shock and never made a sound. It squirmed a little when Jake cut off its wings.”
Kari covered her mouth and mumbled, “It was still alive when they took its wings?”
“Yes, Kari. Most hunters prefer to dress them alive. The blood flows out without soiling too many feathers. After the wing is drained and hacked off, the harpy is gutted. But I doubt if Jake got one. Please, stay.”
Kari looked around for Lea, but she had disappeared into the darkness. The sound of a motor came from the docks, and she saw the boat lights as it pulled into a
n empty slot.
“They’re here,” said Carol, taking Kari’s arm “You can lecture Jake on the evils of harpy hunting.” She led Kari toward the boat of hunters.
It was like a bad dream, Kari thought, but she had to know the outcome. She was hardly aware of walking alongside Carol toward the bright boat lights. On the dock, a young man jogged to them.
“Baby, you’re not going to believe it,” he yelled. He reached Carol and picked her up in his arms. “I’m taking you to Hampton for a trip you won’t forget.”
“What, Jake?” Carol asked.
“I got him. I finally nailed the golden. Been after him for years,” Jake said.
Kari couldn’t breathe and felt that her heart had been ripped out. She stumbled past Carol and Jake and approached the large boat. A small hovercraft was strapped to the cabin, and a man was securing a line. He smiled as she looked on the deck.
“You want to see the harpy?” he asked.
Kari could only nod, climbing on board. “Is he dead?” she asked.
“Not yet, but we’ll string him up soon,” he said. “Jake figured you girls would want to see a live golden rather than just its wings. Most Dorians have never seen one. He’s tied over here.” The man led Kari around some boxes on the deck.
Kari swallowed hard and stared at the yellow feathers partially stained with dried blood. The wings were attached to a lifeless slender frame resting against the boat side. His bound wrists were lashed to a cleat, forcing him to sit up, and his tied ankles were fastened to a wooden beam. The lower half of one wing was twisted and broken from a laser gun blast. The golden’s head hung low, his face concealed by his long hair and buried against his arms.
Kari knelt down in a pool of his blood and pushed back the locks, exposing his face. It was Shail. “No,” she murmured, tears running down her cheeks. His eyes were shut, and blood trickled from his full lips. She placed her hand against his chest and felt his shallow breath. She spotted another laser blast below his ribs. “This is why you didn’t come in my dreams last night,” she whispered. “And why you were so scared and said the spell would be broken. My poor Shail.” Kari now dwelled in a real nightmare.
“Don’t get too close,” the man said. “He looks dead, but he can still hurt you.” He kicked the harpy’s side. The pain jarred the golden awake, and he breathed rapidly.
“Don’t,” Kari screamed. She put her hand on Shail’s face.
His drained eyes stared at her. Turning his head, he nuzzled and softly kissed the palm of her hand.
Carol, Jake, and the other two girls had come on board and two more men emerged from the cabin. They stood around Kari and the harpy.
Jake said, “We found him on an island two hundred miles out. We came across some fledglings, and I winged one. We quickly landed the hover before it could hide. Hank found it under some dried leaves and held it up. Bang, this golden harpy came sailing out of the trees. It was unbelievable. He kicked Hank, sent him crashing into a tree trunk, swooped down, and grabbed the fledgling.”
“I think it broke my arm,” said Hank, holding his arm in a makeshift sling.
“Well, I got off a shot and hit his wing,” said Jake. “He went down, but tried running off. My second blast got his side. We cornered him, but even wounded, he gave us a hell of fight. We got kicked, scratched, and bit by the damn thing. Took all of us to tie him down. Man, I’ve hunted some harpies, but I ain’t ever tangled with one like him. Guess what they say about goldens is true—they’re tough little bastards.”
Kari half listened, but her mind raced, wondering how she could save Shail.
Jake said to Kari, “Hey, sweetie, keep your hands off him or you’ll lose a finger. The sucker bites.”
“He’d never hurt me,” Kari said.
They watched the harpy nuzzle Kari’s caressing hand. “This is Kari Turner,” Carol said, smirking. “John Turner’s daughter. She likes harpies.”
“What are you going to do with him?” Kari asked, fixated on Shail.
“We’re gonna string him up and cut off his nuts and wings,” said Hank. “I’ve waited two days to see this baby hang on the pole and wiggle.” He adjusted the sling on his arm.
Kari wiped her watery eyes and stood up, facing the people. Hiding her feelings, she glared at Jake. “I’ll buy him. How much do you want?” she asked with a controlled tone.
“What are you going to do? Make him a pet?” Jake chuckled. “Even if he survives those wounds, he’ll die in a cage. Believe me, I’ve tried to keep ’em alive for the hell of it.”
“What I do with him is my business,” Kari said. “Do you want to sell him or not?”
Jake eyed her. “You’re like your old man. You Turners think you’re better than everyone else.” He sneered. “Sure, I’ll sell him. I want fifty thousand credits. That’s the going price for gold wings in Terrance.”
Kari knew she didn’t have that kind of money, and even if she could get it, Shail’s injuries couldn’t wait. She glanced down at the yellow wings. “A pair of wings in perfect shape might be worth fifty,” she said, “but one of his is broken, and there’s a lot of feather loss.” Rather than pleading and crying for Shail’s life, she glared at Jake. “But I have an offer that may interest you. Parked by the shack is a brand-new terrain vehicle worth forty. You can have it in exchange for the harpy, but I’ll need the use of your old vehicle so I can move him.”
Jake scratched his chin and grinned. “Let me go look at it.” He stepped from the boat and began to stroll down the dark dock.
“Hurry, Jake,” Kari said firmly. “This offer is good only for a live harpy. If he dies before I take ownership, you’re stuck with your broken feathers.”
“Sure, sweetie,” he called and jogged toward the beach shack.
Kari knelt back down to Shail. She took an old knife from a wooden slat and cut the ropes pulling on his wrists and ankles. The harpy feebly collapsed on the deck.
“Hey, he’s not yours yet.” Hank yelled at her.
Kari ignored Hank and rested the golden’s head in her lap. Clasping his hands, she bent over and whispered, “Just hold on, Shail. Don’t die on me. I’ll get you out of here.”
Shail pulled up his legs and curled his long slender frame around her.
Carol and the others watched in bewilderment. Kari stroked his head as the harpy gently licked her hand and nuzzled his nose in her lap.
Beth and Cindy moved closer. “I’ve never seen a live one,” Beth said. “He’s beautiful.” They heard the sound of running feet on the dock’s wooden planks. Jake appeared out of the darkness and hopped on the boat.
Jake glanced down at Kari and the affectionate golden and frowned. “Did you tame that little devil?”
“What’s your answer?” Kari said.
“Throw in that new laser gun, and you got a deal,” said Jake.
Kari quietly breathed a sigh of relief and removed herself from the harpy’s grasp. Shail was too weak to move.
“I can’t believe you’re selling it to her,” Hank complained. “I want to see it hang.”
Jake took Hank aside. “Look at it. It’s almost dead,” Jake said. “Probably die, right after it was hung. And she’s right about that mangled wing. I won’t get much for the pair, and her vehicle is worth plenty.”
“The deal isn’t over until the harpy is in a vehicle and still alive,” Kari said.
“Sure, Miss Turner,” Jake said, and leaned over the comatose harpy. He placed one of his arm under the harpy’s neck and the other arm under its legs and wings, scooped up the harpy and cradled it in his arms.
“Want some help?” offered one of the guys.
“Nay, Tom, these scrawny harpies are like birds … don’t weigh much,” Jake said. “Bet this little golden tops out at eighty-five pounds. As long as Miss Turner will open the rear door when we get up there.” He stepped off the boat and strolled down the dock carrying the limp body, and Kari walked alongside. They reached Jake’s old blue vehicle, and she op
ened the back. Jake placed the harpy on a worn blanket and put his hand on its chest. “Still alive,” he said. “You got yourself a harpy.”
5
Kari jumped into the driver seat and pressed the start button. “I’m not sure when I can return your vehicle.”
“Take your time,” Jake said, leaning in the window. “Didn’t your daddy give you that new vehicle?”
Kari nodded and pushed the starter again.
“I was fired from your dad’s mill for poaching on his land,” Jake said. “Wait’ll your old man finds out you traded that expensive vehicle for a busted-up harpy.” He laughed. “Tell him it’s payback time.”
The vehicle engines engaged, and the transport started to hover. Ignoring Jake, Kari threw it in reverse and pushed the old vehicle to its top speed down the coastal road. She sped passed the harbor and reached the highway to Westend. She decided to take Shail to Doc. There was no time for another doctor or vet. She glanced back at the motionless body and wondered if the golden male was alive. “Please don’t die, Shail,” she cried. Her earlier assertive attitude dissolved into tears, and she wiped them away with her sleeve. Ten long years of waiting and dwelling on the harpy, and now he lay dying. She glanced at her hands, stained with his blood. “This can’t be happening. It can’t end like this.” She sobbed as the dark jungle flew past. The trip to Westend was taking forever.
* * *
Kari finally arrived in the little town and zipped down the quiet main street. Seeing the yellow cottage, she took the terrain vehicle over the lawn and parked by the front door. The cottage was dark inside, and the outside lit by a porch light. She leaped from the vehicle and ran to the porch. She rang the bell, beat on the door, and shouted for Doc. An inside light came on, and the door opened. Dressed in his Pajamas, Doc stared at her.
“Hurry, Doc. It’s an emergency,” she screamed, leading him to the vehicle.
“Okay, okay,” he said calmly. “I’d be disappointed if it wasn’t.”
