Chapter 3 - Taking flight into uncertainty

Robbie holds his leash firm. "No, Freddie, it's too dangerous. You should come back to the farm with me! I'll give you food!" she tries to reason with the bird. "Maybe you can even sleep in my room. But you can't tell my parents."

Robbie looks to her friends. "What do you think? With the big birds gone, it might be safe to visit the nest briefly. Maybe we'll even find something in there that explains... this. But what if we lose Freddie in the crowd of birds?"

'Well is it the end of the world if we do? Its his home right.. if he knows us.. we can come visit?' Rather than dragging him away from his friends... and his family?[/b] Emilia locks eye briefly with Robbie's before becoming as self conscious and looking away to the floor,. '..it can suck to not be with your family.' She mumbles.

Robbie wants to argue. Even though she's only known Freddie for a day, she has already grown really attached to him and doesn't want to lose him as a pet. But there is something in Emilia's eyes and tone that makes her feel that there is more to her opinion, and she doesn't really want to dismiss what is clearly an important topic for the girl who Robbie wants to be her friend. So she squats down next to Freddie and clicks her tongue to get his attention. "Freddie," she says nervously. "You have to make a decision. Do you want to stay here with your family or live with me on the farm?" She sounds conflicted about this, but maybe Emilia is right. "If you want to stay here, we will come visit you of course."

Robbie only considers this for a short moment, then she says, "I bet I could get all of that organized for you. And we can talk all the time if you live with me. I like talking to you, Freddie! And I guess we could come and visit your family sometimes if you want."

"Oh-kay... Is it me, or Freddie is getting a little pushy? Anyway... I agree that we should take a quick look at that giant nest... We might not get another chance. Quick, before the big ones come back..."

She turns to Freddie and leans down, wagging her finger "and you Freddie, you tell all your pigeon friends not to hurt us, OK?"