Early in the morning, Oriell boarded the Upper Klamath ferry. He had a change of clothes, some snacks, his toothbrush, and $40 in a blue backpack. His mother had found an old birdcage, in which Arnica now looked very uncomfortable. It had taken a lot of convincing to get the owl into the cage, but the ferry did not allow loose pets. Oriell had resigned himself to the fact that there was no comfortable way to carry the cage. It was heavy and awkward. The wire handle cut into his fingers, and the owl’s constant shifting threw off the cage’s balance.

Oriell felt a pang as first Shallowdale and then the shore itself shrunk out of view. Even so, the tilt and roll of the small waves and the way the sun caught off the lake like fool’s gold made his spirit soar. This was an adventure.

All too soon, the boat docked at Upper Klamath, but the city itself was such a wonder, Oriell soon forgot to miss the lake.

More cars than he had ever seen waited at a single light. Shops and restaurants filled the air with smells, jingles, and neon. Billboards flashed, advertising diet soda and a new makeup line. Oriell stood, gaping. There was so much of everything, and so many people.

A bicycle tore across the sidewalk, nearly running over a lady with a green handbag. Upon it, a girl with a scarred and tattooed face sped by Oriell in a whirlwind. She leered at him as she passed, and snatched the cage and Arnica out of his grasp. The theft was so unexpected, Oriell let go in sheer surprise. Who steals an owl?

For half a second, he stared at the thief and the frightened owl. Then he ran after the bicyclist, calling for help. None came. Oriell could not catch the thief, not on foot, but once he lost sight of her, he was afraid he might never find her again.

The cyclist turned down a foul-smelling alley, and Oriell knew that she would vanish. He ran after her anyway. Arnica needed him. As he neared the opening of the alley, he heard an unearthly screech and the sound of metal hitting brick. Praying that the owl was unharmed, Oriell turned into the alley. He took it all in in a eyeblink.

A cat had run in front of the bicycle. She had tried to swerve, lost control, and crashed into the wall. She lay sprawled against a metal dumpster. Between her and Oriell lay the cage, dented and warped from the fall. Inside the cage, Arnica battered her wings in panic or pain, unable to get free.