Javier ran with the sandwich clamped between his teeth, his legs carrying him swiftly across the sand. He glanced ahead and spotted Buddy standing at a distance, looking smug and proud, his tail feathers newly grown back and gleaming under the sunlight, long and shiny.
"Buddy!!"
Buddy glanced toward the voice, his head tilting as he spotted Javier sprinting toward him.
"Cuquawked?" (What?)
Buddy blinked in confusion as Javier suddenly diverted his run, veering sharply to the left and taking a completely different route. Buddy watched him go, his head tilting the other way.
"Cuquawked?" (What's wrong with him? Why is he running like that?)
A shadow fell over Buddy, and a chill ran down his long neck. He slowly lowered his head, turning it just enough to glance behind him. His father, Giddie, stood directly behind him, his massive golden form towering. Giddie's beak curled into a knowing smirk.
Buddy let out a low, panicked squawk.
"Cuquawked..." (Oh no...)
