Syrinx.

3.

New York was so much different than the girls expected. For one thing they hadn't expected it to be so loud. Or the buildings so tall.

Kayden was tired, dirty, and wanted a bed and shower. Deanna was just trying to find a library or hotel, and New York wasn't her strongest point. She was pretty sure that they were in Brooklyn though. Eleven o'clock traffic was hard to navigate through, as the pre-lunch rush was beginning.

Kayden was leading the way as Deanna studied a map she'd bought at a corner stand. She was looking for a library.

They had been constantly discussing what had happened that night, and trying to decipher the Goat Boy's message. They hadn't checked out the address he'd given them yet. It was a ways away, and Deanna felt that the address should be treated as a last resort. She wanted to see if they could figure out what had happened on their own.

The girls had taken to calling the Goat Boy G. B. to save time.

Deanna wanted to know more about the coin he'd given her. He'd said to call upon the Chariot of Damnation, but she was leery of just tossing the coin and the street and shouting. It was old, and looked very valuable.

Not many people were out on the streets as it was cold, even for October. The girls were wearing all of their sweaters and sweat shirts, and the boots helped the most to keep the cold away.

Kayden was getting hungry, and they stopped at a hot dog stand and ate. Deanna found the hot gods delicious, while Kayden disliked them.

Deanna and Kayden headed for the Brooklyn Public Library after Deanna had found it on the map.

The library was huge, and beautiful. Deanna was in love with it. Libraries were always her favorite places.

They started up the steps, and Deanna paused to admire the statues of a huge, golden gryphon hanging on a light pole.

Kayden sat on the stone wall leading up the steps while Deanna walked to the library doors. She tried the doors and groaned.

Apparently they weren't open that day. She sighed and went to join Kayden while they figured out their next move. The wind buffeted them, and They huddled together closely.

“Deanna, can I see the coin?” Kayden asked a moment later, while Deanna was digging through the bag. Deanna passed the coin to Kayden while she continued to rummage in the bag. It seemed to hold no end of stuff, she still hadn't reached the bottom of the thing. And yet none of their stuff got lost, and their sleeping bags fit into it somehow.

Something pricked Deanna's finger, and she grasped something in the bag and pulled it out. It glinted in the sunlight, and she moved the gleaming golden dagger side to side, staring at it in awe.

There was movement on the light pole.

Kayden froze, and then the beginning of their problems for that day began.

Kayden shrieked as Deanna dodged the statue that was very much alive.

Deanna twisted away from the beasts sharp claws and grabbed Kayden's hand. The dagger was in her other hand, the bag over her shoulder.

And then they ran.

The beast chased.

The girls jumped down the stairs and ran down the side walk, nearly tripping a jogger in their haste. They had no desire whatsoever to fight that thing.

Deanna yanked Kayden down a side street as the beast made a swipe at Kayden. It tried to take flight and chase them, but Deanna ran down yet another brick alleyway and it couldn't spread its wings in the tight space.