And just like that, Nibi's newly found freedom ended.
Now her heart went from galloping to straight-up breakdancing. Unlike the alpacas, she wasn't handling this well. Erich probably wouldn't get in too much trouble. But her life? Over. Dead on arrival.
Erich didn't get it. He just stood there the next day, waiting outside the Binglz home, wondering what the big deal was. Nibi hadn't meant any harm. She just felt bad for the animals. That was a good thing, wasn't it?
His parents got it. Ardon even apologized over the phone, explaining that yes, nature is beautiful, but dollars live best in his wallet. So, -Son, maybe don't try to run covert ops with your girlfriend next time, cool?- Gina, for her part, sent a message to say she'd be happy to see Nibi at the Summer Solstice Festival.
So really, Erich couldn't figure out what was wrong with Nibi's behavior. Ardon and Gina had reacted pretty well. They even praised her for having guts and moral backbone. Shouldn't her family be just as supportive?
But then he got a short phone call. It was Nibi. Her voice was low and heavy: – I'm in a trap, Erich. – And then she hung up. Just like he had, a day earlier. That was it. That was all he needed.
Now, he wasn't saving animals. He was saving a human.
He had her address now—thank you, cops, for walking her home first. And while they spent the next hour listening to her furious mother rant about politics, animal rights, and how the system had clearly failed if alpacas were allowed to migrate illegally, Erich was already planning the next jailbreak.
Erich memorized the address and, just to be sure, shared it with his dog—hoping M.K. would store it somewhere in his doggy brain. Then he called the people he needed to call and checked if they were still working at the same place.
They were. Perfect. So he ran to a store and bought a visor cap with an open top, two large pizzas without pepperoni (he hated it and didn't wanna poison anyone else with it), and a pair of sunglasses—for stealth mode. All he could do now was pray that Nibi's mom wouldn't recognize him in this glorious disguise and remember he was the same guy who'd stood on her porch the other night after the police brought her daughter home.
Lucky for him, she didn't even recognize the boy she'd scolded years ago.
His loyal sidekick was thrilled to be going on another mission and needed zero prep. Everything he needed was already attached to his body: paws, tail, tongue, the whole set.
But once they got to the house, Erich, with great sorrow, tied M.K. to a pole and explained:
I can't bring you to the door, Mrs. Mother's definitely gonna remember you and blow my cover.
The dog's ears drooped. He lay down on the cold pavement and gave Erich a look of pure betrayal. Erich lasted five seconds.
You fuzzy manipulator. Let's go see the fortress of evil together.
He rang the bell. And rang it again. He didn't have a thermal bag, so the pizzas in his hands were already ice cold. But hey, at least he had them. He was proud of his plan. He was proud of his shades, too—even though they looked ridiculously out of place in this dreary autumn gloom.
The door opened. A man stood there, and right between his eyebrows—a zit. Maybe not the same
one from Erich's childhood, but definitely a blood relative. Possibly visiting from overseas. Nibi's dad squinted at the so-called delivery guy, and Erich explained immediately:
I've got a delivery for Miss Nibi Can you get her for me? The man gave him a solemn nod and disappeared inside.
A few moments later, Nibi appeared wearing a velour pajama set that said: -Nibi. Just Nibi. - On her feet—fluffy slippers so luxurious, even M.K. glared at them with pure envy.
She clearly recognized Erich despite the dumb outfit—her eyes went full saucer mode—but she played it cool and walked up to him like this was totally normal.
Get I'm waiting.
I can't! I'll get grounded again! – She whispered, glancing nervously toward the kitchen where her dad was making noise. You're already grounded, Come on! – He coughed, and then said loudly – Thanks for the tip! Have a great night!
Back on the street, he waited.