"Should we kill it?" Gax joked while climbing over the largest duct in the alley.

The purple tub lighting from the faded Cryptomart across the street dimly illuminated the sloped passage, and Kyla nudged their way to the back. Even though Kyla managed to get further ahead between the tight gaps, Gax caught up quickly.

"No, G, I wanna take a look at it," Kyla responded.

The bird was stuck in a cardboard box that had been used to store bruised apples that did sell and were placed in a dumpster nearby. It doddered in the box, sounding like rat caught in tinsel. Kyla went closer.

Gax grabbed his nose and assured, "yeah, go on in deeper; I'll make sure these greasy pipes are well accompanied." He sheltered his hair from the grim dripping above.

Shifting to the corner of the cardboard, Kyla could see the corvid up close. They had never seen a prettier bird—or a bird as close as this. With the cool, violet iridescence shimmering on the lining of each feather, the line of iridescence wavered up the body as it took each unsure step forward. Kyla was on the balls of her feat now.

The crow leaned it's head to a small opening in the cardboard. The creature was supposed to be an omen of impending death. But, Kyla didn't seem to share that opinion, especially by the way she appeared to be searching for an opening.

"Kylaaa," he dragged out unsurely before squealing, "Kyla!"

"What is it now, Gax!"

In the loudest whisper they had ever heard, he responded, "Curfew busters!"

The crow had already taken off, through an opening chiseled in the back, before Kyla could gather their pouch that fell just to the side of their shoulder. But, they managed to see it escape further down the alley. They decided to follow it, the curfew be damned.

"Hey! Kyla!" he continued in a tone that wasn't as quiet as he thought. "Take me with you!"