52

It was a brightly colored bird. Orange and red. No blue, just orange and red. Keep it inside, it will not return if you open the door. 

    “Okay, I can do that." 

–

The cage beat against his leg as he climbed the hill. The moon and sun were out together. His feet missed purchase in the soil. The ground was still wet from last night. The man thought it never went away. He hated cleaning his shoes. He wore the same ones each time. The soles were fading away. The laces were ramshackle bits of leather and scavenged parts.