Chapter 16 - X marks the Spot

Johnny sees that the back board of a bookcase looks sturdy enough and seems the right size for that window. He points it to the other Hunters, should be easy to quickly loosen it from the bookcase structure, only kept in place by small nails.

Logan moves to where Johnny pointed and begins working on the back board.

Al helps Logan tear it off, not caring about leaving it fully intact at the edges, as long as it'll still cover the window.

Logan pulls the back board of the bookcase loose, not caring for splinters or nails.
He manages to push it against the window with Al's help just as the glass of the window shatters under the pressure of the frenzied crows!

Both Hunters start pushing against it to resist the birds. They can feel the hard hits and thumps on the other side of the board.

Eddard glances at the Hunters blocking the window. The tattoo on one of his arms starts to take shape. Droplets of blood filter through his skin, wiped by Melissa as she works. "Keep them out, people!! "

"Ripper!", Al shouts as she leans against the board with her full body weight. "You have to scare the evil birds off. Bark as loud as you can!"

Johnny shakes off his boot and uses it like a makeshift hammer to drive the nails from the back of the bookcase into the window frame while the others hold it steady against the crows' assault.

The board shakes and vibrates at each bird impact, but holds fast, kept in place by Al and Johnny.

Logan places his back against the board and braces his feet. Wincing at each impact from the birds, he look over at Eddard and his friend. Hurry up! This won't last forever.

"Trying my best, here!" she replies, annoyed, attacking Eddard's other arm. One tattoo is fully finished, still reddened and bleeding some.

"Good puppy!", Al calls to Ripper. "Don't worry. Everything will be fine!"

Logan doesn't say much as he concentrates on holding the backboard up. Definitely going to have some bruises in the morning.

Johnny frantically swings his boot- hammer as he watches the board barely keep the murderous flock at bay.

The Hunters' joint efforts work, and the board resists the attempts of the birds outside. They keep thumping on the wood, but now with Johnny's nails in the window frame it is a bit easier to hold the board in place.
After a few minutes, the attacks seem to decrease in intensity, and eventually stop.Melissa gives a last dab to Eddard's second arm, then starts sterilizing her needles. "So... who's next?"

"Get ready Melissa, but let's test if this worked first... " he says wearing his motorcycle helmet and his leather jacket.

He turns to the Hunters, "Wish me luck, folks," then he rushes downstairs and towards the front door.

The Hunters spy him from the top of the staircase, as he steels himself and walks out of the front door, closing it quickly behind him...

"I can't," Al says seriously. "My parents are going to kill me and take Ripper away. We have to find another way. There has to be something else. I mean, who came up with that tattoo idea? We need to find out and they can tell us more. Some other solution."

"Better if your parents kill you than if Solomon does!!" He looks at the others, "What about you? Johnny? Logan?? And... where is this hidden thing you found? What was in it?"

"I don't have all day, people..." she says, her needle pen ready.