And maybe… maybe they could do the same for all the animals. Set them loose in their natural habitats. Let Gina start a new business—one that didn't depend on the oppression of the fluffy, the scaly, and the feathered.
He caught up to Nibi and told her honestly:
You're amazing, Nibi! Thanks for opening my Like I said, I don't always see the truth on my own. You helped me figure out what's good and what's not. For real.
Yeah? Well, she wasn't so sure. She stayed silent, hunched into herself, quietly leading her alpaca down the street. Maybe it was a mistake to agree with Erich about needing outside help to process things. She'd used that confession against him. Manipulated him. Twisted his brain into a knot.
But then it hit her—maybe it wasn't the alpaca who wasn't free. Maybe it was her.
Maybe the cold was clearing her head. Or maybe she was just missing that stupid carefree grin of his—that goofy spark that made her get off her butt, ditch her books, and step out into the freezing night just to see him.
I'm not my I'm Nibi. – The words echoed in her head. And in that moment, she didn't exactly break her chains—but they loosened. Just a bit. Just enough.
She looked up at the dark autumn sky… and let out a rooster-like crow. Not because of the feathery rebel from earlier, but because she was thinking about Peter Pan and the Lost Boys.
Hey, Erich, what if we turn this cold, boring Chicago into Neverland? How's that sound? You wanna too, right?
Let's turn this night—this almost-night—into a sunrise. Let's run between the streetlights to a place where no one can find us! Not your parents, not mine! I don't even know what freedom feels like… but you're here, aren't you?
You'll help me figure it out… or not?!
One thing she was absolutely sure of, as she glanced from Erich to the pedestrians who had all shrunk into themselves after her outburst—her grown-up friend was still the same maniac as before. And that madness… it was his fuel. Way stronger than whatever negativity she'd thrown at him earlier.
And the boy crowed right after her. Loudly. So loudly that the last remaining passersby scattered like pigeons under a fire alarm. Anyone who didn't leave? M.K. took care of them with a soulful howl that could've cracked windows.
The teens laughed uncontrollably, their whole bodies shaking with relief and that delicious feeling of getting away with something. They -spurred- their alpacas forward and trotted across the crosswalk, lit up by the glowing headlights of confused cars. A few drivers even opened their doors and leaned out to witness the weirdest caravan Chicago had probably seen that week. The alpacas? Living their best life and blissfully unaware that they were the center of human chaos.
The wind picked up, slapping their faces with invisible boxing gloves, but the gusts were no match for the joy of this crew. Erich practically skipped along, petting Dondel, winking at M.K., and calling out to Nibi:
You feel that?
Feel what? – She snapped, trying to reclaim some semblance of civilized Still… she did
feel it. That pull and the need to live her life, her way. Erich grinned slyly and said:
Bet you Dondel outruns Marta with just his back left
Nibi couldn't resist diving into the dumbest bet of the century:
Not gonna You already lost just by saying that.
We'll see! – Erich picked up the pace, which looked ridiculous next to his unbothered alpaca, who had absolutely zero interest in going any faster.
Nibi didn't even bother trying to rush Marta. She just giggled at Erich's pathetic attempts—until Marta suddenly took off. Not like a horse, obviously, but like an alpaca on Red Bull.
Nibi bolted after her.
Nooooo! – Erich – Dondel, c'mon! We can't let 'em win!
There are no winners here except us! Stop! – came a sudden Even the animals froze. Oh no.
Was it… them?
Her heart stopped—and then pounded harder than ever. She turned to look, but the streetlights made it impossible to see their faces. Still, the shapes, the hats… yeah. It was the law.
They stepped forward and went straight into official mode.
After introducing themselves as sergeants something-or-other (Nibi wasn't listening—she was too busy panicking), they asked where the kids got the animals and why they were walking them across a public road.
We used the – Erich declared boldly, stepping into the role of Everyone's Lawyer. – Also, the alpacas belong to my family.
Got proof?
Like what?
Call your Or show us some documents. – said the sergeant with the forgettable name.
I don't have a – Erich muttered, suddenly sheepish.
Nibi, hands shaking, was already dialing the home number. She handed the phone over as soon as Monsieur Ardon answered.
The police didn't talk long. They made their decision fast:
So you snatched 'em from the zoo and decided to go for a walk? Cool. Here's what's gonna happen—we're taking the animals back where they And you two? You're going home. By the way, nice dog. What breed is he? Anyway, fun's over. Sorry, kids.