Birds Of A Feather

Chapter 1

Saturday, September 28th

"I had a great time at the open mic last night here in Fort Layton, Idaho. My absolute favorite part was when a masked poet—whom people call "The Ghost"—showed up and performed an amazing piece. She had written it that very night and said she just had to share it with everyone. I still get chills when I replay it in my head. The analogy made between herself and a puppet was super cool. It was truly an amazing experience."

I look beside me to check the time. 4:00 am reads my alarm which sits at the bedside table in room five at the Fort Layton motel. Yup! Bedtime. Don't get me wrong—I'm not an insomniac. I just have a blog to keep updated with all the info on the latest underground open mics.

*Phone dials*

"Please leave a message at the tone."

"Hey dad, it's been a fun couple of days here at Fort Layton. It would be a lot better if you were here though. How are you doing? Call me back okay? I'd love to hear from you and Lina. Goodnight dad."

*Hang up tone*

I feel my stomach start to rumble, letting me know that it is time to fill it. "Ugh, I'm starving! I wonder if the mini-mart is open." I mumble to myself as I start to look for my shoes, only to find them tucked under the bed next to yesterday's cup of coffee. "I should really throw that out," I said.

Sliding out of my blanket, I put on my shoes and stand up to stretch. It felt like I hadn't moved in years—but I guess that's what happens when you spend 3 hours in the same position. 

As I'm walking outside towards my car, I see a figure out of the corner of my eye. Standing near me is a woman who looks to be in her twenties.

"Late night?" she says.

"Yeah—started feeling hungry so I'm headed to the mini-mart."

Who else would be up this late?

"Mini-mart doesn't open till 7:00 am," she says. "There's a 24-hour breakfast place down the road though—mind if I tag along?"

Social butterfly much?

"Not at all, let's go. I'm Autumn by the way." I introduced myself to the stranger.

"Jane," she replied.

Well—new friend, I guess. Quite rare to find a random chick who wants to hang out with a total stranger. 

"So, are y-"  She interrupts me as I try to open the door to my car.

"Whoaaa what are you doing?" 

I jumped back a little from the sudden rise in her voice. "Damn you scared me!" I exclaimed.

"Oops, sorry..." she says trying to hold her laugh. "No car. Don't you know late-night walks do wonders for the soul?"

She's not wrong—didn't have to scare me though... "Alright Jane, you know the streets best so—lead the way!" I smirk and she takes the lead with a smug look on her face as if she had just been told she's the line leader at school—it made me laugh a little.

The streets are so beautiful at night. The lampposts had a saturated shade of orange which reflects on the brick walls of nearby shops. There isn't much light so it's easy to see the stars and the crescent moon as we walk downhill on this grainy, messed-up road.

"So Autumn, I've never seen your pretty face around here—you new?"

"I'm just passing through," I said. "I like to hang out in small towns, visit open mics—you know that kind of stuff."