But we had perfect weather today! Sis called. Her fingers stopped pushing the keys, and the end of the peaceful music gave way to an unbearable silence. We stared at each other, each with our own expression etched on our faces. Grandad looked tired and worn, while my sister and I had eyes full of determination. Sis would not speak out - she always opted not to - so I gladly took the lead. What are we going to do? Slowly, I spun around on the stool.

Grandad would not look at me or Sis. He was staring at his wrinkled hands with a glossy, faraway look in his eyes. Sis sighed impatiently. We both knew that look. Grandad was gone. He was back 50 years, reliving the day when he and his own father bought this place and made it into a booming business. He was reliving all the offers he rejected and sweat he shed trying to keep his place family run. Then his eyes closed. Perhaps it is time I, and this business, retired.

I was startled by Sis' sudden outburst. She sat up, pushing away from the piano. Her cheeks were red, but I could see she was more worried than angry. What about us, Gramps? she hissed. We live here. Brother and I need work. You can't just 'retire'! Her arms stretched skyward. She rolled her eyes around the room. Then what was all this for?!
I agreed with her, but it was not my turn to speak.

What else do you want me to do? We could be next! He reached for his cane and hobbled out of the door.
Sis gaped at him, but let him leave. She turned to me. Felix?

I watched Grandad through the -blocked- I can't believe he doesn't feel safe in his own home, It was sad because we've faced other problems before, and each time we braved through it. Maybe he was getting too old to run a business. Maybe this problem was too much for his shoulders to bear alone.

We should handle it this time, Sis blurted out, her arms crossed defiantly.

I knew from a young age that my twin was more adventurous and daring than me, but this was insane. Have you gone off the deep end, Sis?
I turned to face her completely again. You and I understand the danger lurking about unseen. We could be killed.

Sis shrugged. Ignoring the problem doesn't make it go away.

She was right. Whoever was out there, they were bold enough already. If he or she was left to their own device, they might make their way here. When that happened, we would be forced to stare the problem in the face.

Grandad will be worried, I thought back to the tired look he gave us when the morning's bad news had arrived. Could we really just leave him here alone? It didn't seem fair in the slightest. He might go looking for us and get hurt.

Sis walked through the aisles, picking up equipment. She was obviously going to ignore me and go alone if she must. I sat in silence as a pile grew atop the piano. Her movements were brisk and she refused to stop and answer me.

Who are you taking? I asked, standing up.

Perhaps she thought I was going to stop her. She looked at me with narrowed eyes, silently daring me to lay a finger on her. Red is in his prime and has the most experience.

I stared at my feet. If Sis died I'd no longer be a twin. I'd be a bird with one wing. Red would be happier if his brother, Blue, came with, Walking to the pile I lifted up an aged aviator.

* * *

I wonder if he knows we're gone now, Sis commented, peering down below.
We were flying above the canopy, so it was no wonder Grandad was out of sight. I did not want to think about him or how he would feel. Guilt was gnawing at me long before we even suited up to go. It took strong will power not to turn around and head home. Let's take the scenic route, Sis. We'll see nothing if we stay up above the trees.

She waited until there was a large gap between one tree and the next, and made a sharp dive to re-enter the swamp. I followed close behind, and as we leveled out again I positioned myself below Red to watch the ground that lay out more than thirty feet below. To some this trip would be frightening due to the height. But no one could deny the beauty of the rainbows that formed here almost every day due to the natural waterfalls. That's why Great Grandad made his business where it was. People would pay anything to see a breath taking view.

I could hear one of the first waterfalls far off to our left. It wasn't often we got to take the owls out ourselves, and though it was hard to believe, we hadn't seem any of the beautiful things people arrived here to see everyday. Sis must've felt the same way, because she too was looking to her left. If we want to find out what happened on the last three trips, we have to take the same route they did, I glanced up at the belly of the owl above me as her voice rang through the air. Let's go.

As she banked to the side I leaned left, and Blue responded by flying in that direction. Both Red and Blue's wings were silent as they cut through the air. Sis was speeding up, and I leaned forward to tell Blue to copy their speed. Why was Sis in such a hurry? If Grandad already knew we were gone, there was no need to rush. Slow dow-

A loud BANG! echoed through the air and Red was plummeting down to the earth in a flurry of feathers and talon. I heard Sis screaming, startled and confused out of her mind. Juniper! I couldn't stop myself from panicking, and my body seemed to have a mind of its own. Blue spiraled downwards, and I strained to see my sister amid the feathers that continued to pour from the fallen owl.

Then there she was, her body still as the ground got closer and closer. I laid flat on Blue's back, and hoped that we could get under her in time. I had been flying beneath Sis incase this situation happened. Grandad always warned me that one day Sis could fall, but I did not expect it to really happen. I closed my eyes and felt a heavy weight knock against my back. Blue suddenly began to fall too, and I reached back and held onto my sister's arm, unable to turn around completely.

SPLASH! A foul odor filled my nostrils and darkness enveloped me. I heard a thud as Sis and I hit the bottom hard. Her hand was ripped from mine, and for a moment all I could do was float limply as my senses returned.

Blue stood over me, half of his body wet. He was holding up his wings outstretched, trying his best to keep them dry. Sis? I croaked weakly. I winced. A few of my teeth were gone. I also pierced my tongue with the rest that didn't break, and blood leaked from between my battered lips. Sis?! Mentally preparing myself, I stood up slowly, trying out each leg and moving each arm. Nothing else broken.

It was too bad I couldn't say the same about Red. He was submerged in the water, blood running from his chest. A bullet wound. I knew it. Someone is behind this, and they're close. Sis was on her hands and knees, staring at Red, one of our best owls on the team.

Juniper... I could see her trembling. She was scared, and so was I. The fall had shaken me, and the realization that a dangerous someone was lurking nearby made everything even worse. We have to get out of here. Find safe shelter, at least.

I trudged towards her, and hooked my arm with hers. I started to lift her, but she pulled away roughly, and stood up on her own. There's dry land just a few steps away, I pointed.

I knew it. Sis was limping. Something happened to her leg, and it was all my fault. Blue managed to catch her, but we couldn't stop the fall completely. Sighing, I walked after her, and Blue flew ahead, perching on a large, raised root. Sitting down beneath the owl's sharp talons, I lifted off the goggles that stayed secured to my face the entire time. We're soaked, The croaking of frogs and chirping of grasshoppers were louder now that we were down here. It may be warm now, but night might be cold. Sis had redrawn into her normal, quiet shell, and did not answer.