Ella & Vlad at the end

# 4 - night encounters

Slower than Ella it takes Vladimir a couple hours of flapping to reach the city. Its' population over nine-hundred makes it the largest surviving place on the earth, and one of the few genial cities left. Late and minimal electricity or amusement the place is quiet.

These days the laws of the land depend on the land you are on. Areas where there are groups of people run under mob mentality. No matter the century or where you go there are assholes imposing their will on others; including scourge who attack, trick or raid smaller weaker people.

Mainly there for protection from marauders this city has sentries placed on main street corners and tall buildings. Spying several sentries Vlad sails over to the quiet streets of a residential neighborhood.

Unfamiliar to the city Vlad flies lower creeping along. Can't believe I'm actually doing this. This area is so dead I don't even detect rodents. I'm the only thing moving around here... Hope I don't end up dead too.

Spotting the tallest building Vlad gains greats altitude seeking a nearby coffee shop. Gliding high over the area he can't read business signs.

Circling over the tall building he observes two men walking the roof. The men's focus directed towards each other Vlad knows if they look up he'll be spotted. Best get out of the air here.

Making another pass Vlad spots a sign with a cup and donut on it. A brick building between the shop and the tall building easily identifies itself to Vlad.

Noticing the men on the building are distracted on the opposite side, Vlad dives from the sky.

Softly landing on the roof of the three-story building Vlad audits the area. Only faintly hearing the men above he feels safe to check things out.

Slowly spiraling outwards Vlad employs his senses.

At the upper edge of the roof he hangs upside down viewing patio doors. Though the sliding glass door is open a screen door is closed. Behind drawn vertical blinds gently sway with breezes. From within the upper apartment people can be heard sleeping.

Stretching out a wing he hooks the screen door trying to slide it open. Obviously locked in some manor he stops and looks about.

Something darts across the patio space to a fruit tree in a big planter. Rat his senses say, a possible snack he keeps still watching for it.

The crafty rodent is carefully attempting to remove bait from a trap tucked behind the planter.

Attempting to benefit from the moment Vlad lunges for the rodent.

A solid hit Vlad grasps the rat in foot before it knew he was there. With a snap, the trap goes off startling two nesting pigeons to take flight from the potted tree.

One pigeon lands where Vlad started from watching the big bat. The other flies up to the top of the tall building, drawing the two night sentries over.

Disease smelt in the rodent Vlad releases it. Ah too bad. Watching the rat scurry away he glimpses the pigeon.

The surroundings seeming safe Vlad scrutinizes the pigeon.

Testing his speed Vlad tenses muscles to spring up focused on the bird.

Reaching the tall building's edge the two men scare off the second pigeon. Curious to what got the bird flying in the first place they look over the edge scanning below.

Ready, set, go.  Vlad springs intensely upwards swiftly taking flight.

One man spots catches it pointing it out to the other.