For previous editions, go here.

Birdie shifted from one foot to the other, drawing the cloak closer around her.  She peered through the curtains, her foot tapping the stone ground betraying her anxiety. Behind her, Percy fiddled with his own cloak, his hat slipping down his forehead every few moments until it plopped against his glasses, only to have Percy shove it back up again.

If this had been a real magic act, Birdie would have been humiliated.

“How is everything?” Mr. O’Neil hissed from his hiding post behind the curtain.

“So far, so good.” Birdie whispered back.  “Mrs. Abigail Adams is leading Detective Michaels around, introducing him to all the ladies of the junior league.  Mr. Pemberely is oogling the tent where the Zarina elephant is supposed to be, and my mom is leading a bunch of society women in a chanting circle.”  She rolled her eyes.  “I don’t think she’s even acting.  She’s probably forgot all about the plan.”

Percy tugged at his collar, his eyes large behind his thick glasses.  “Are you sure this is going to work?” he whispered.  “How do you know so much about the Zarina elephant, anyway?  And do you really believe Mr. Pemberely…”

“Shh!” Birdie hissed, one hand flying back and waving at him.  “Shh!  Something’s happening!”

Through the curtain, Birdie watched as Mrs. Adams clapped her hands.  “Gentlemen! Ladies!”  she cried, an enourmous red hat peppered with everything from flowers to bell peppers to a cockeyed fake cocatoo on her hat.  “Welcome to the Zoobilation!”

A smattering of quiet applause followed her proclamation as several ladies in cocktail dresses and men in tuxes found their chairs.

“We have a wonderful program to entertain you this evening,” Mrs. Adams cried, her cheeks pink with excitement.  “From magic to a woman who can read into our souls”–

Birdie suppressed a groan as her mother, fully emitting Willow Lake in every inch of her hippie-granola attire, stood and waved.

“–This Zoobilation will truly be magic,” Mrs. Adams continued.  “But before we begin tonight’s entertainment, I know you’re all curious to see our guest of honor.”

“Here we go,” Birdie whispered.

“Here we go what?”  Percy’s eyelashes fluttered and his top hat smacked into his glasses with a thud.

“From the forests of the East, she has come,” Mrs. Adams bellowed, her arms waving wildly around her exuberant hat.  “With magic in every inch of her wrinkled skin, this amazing animal is a legend!”

“She needs a better speechwriter,” Mr. O’Neil muttered, grimacing.  “She’s terrible.”

“Shh!” Birdie hissed, practically tumbling out of the curtain as she strained to listen.

“Birdie”– Percy whimpered, struggling with his glasses, which had entangled on the silk band on his hat.

“Shh!” Birdie leaned forward, the satin curtains wrapped tightly in her fingers.

“She’s cured disease, brought prosperity to utter poverty and turned gold from grey river rocks,” Mrs. Adams bellowed, her wildly gesturing elbow knocking over her fake cockatoo, who surveyed the crowd sideways from her hat.  “Imagine what she can do for our fair town!  Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, the elephant of Zarina!”

The silken tent flew up with the discrete pull of a golden cord, and the crowd gasped.  Mr. O’Neil peeked through the edge of the curtain and laughed.

“Magic elephant,” he snorted.  “It looks absolutely miserable.”

Birdie stared at the sad little elephant staring at the crowd with wide, frightened eyes.  It’s tail drooped and it’s ears hung in unenthusiastic folds, it’s trunk dragging along the ground in its golden cage.  Curling her fingers into fists, rage pumped through her.

No matter what happened tonight, she’d make sure Zarina was free.  Pemberely would never get ahold of her.

“Isn’t she lovely?” Mrs. Adams cried, preening.  “Isn’t she grand?”

Cameras flashed and people crowded closer as the elephant cowered towards the corner.

“You must get back!” Willow Lake, normally known as Birdie’s mother, shouted.  “Someone is hurting her aura and turning it black!  She’s scared!”

If Birdie had tried to tell a crowd of society members that, they would have laughed at her.  Because Willow Lake said it, they leaped back, cooing at the elephant.

“Birdie”– Percy wailed, desperately trying to separate his glasses and top hat from their wild embrace.

“And now,” Mrs. Adams shouted, sensing she would soon loose the crowd’s interest, “Now for our first performance.  Ladies and gentemen, I give you, the magic team of the century!  Birdie and Percy!”

Leaping back, Birdie jammed her own top hat on her head.  “Showtime!”  Whirling around, she rolled her eyes in exasperation and reached forward, yanking Percy’s glasses and top hat apart.  “Percy, this is no time for games.”

Percy glared at her sullenly, remaining that way as the curtain parted.  Turning to the crowd, Birdie grinned.

They had never seen a magic show like they were about to see.

Stay tuned, Invisible Friends!  We have a new recipe tomorrow and a new Butterfly Dress story Friday!

More