“Caw. Caw.”
Hitch stared at the crow hollering at him from across the street before shutting the window and heading into the kitchen. He dropped the eye into a tupperware container and put it in a saddlebag, then attached his badge. There was somepony in town that the birds had hurt, and Hitch was going to find them and make sure they were okay. Then he was going to kick every single bird out of town.
His first stop, after rushing out of the apartment, was Dahlia’s apartment on the second floor. He started banging on the door to wake them up, perhaps a bit too enthusiastically.
The door finally opened and he recognized the sleepy-eyed pony. Flour had white fur, befitting her name, and a golden brown mane. Her hair currently stuck out in every direction except down, and she’d likely been fast asleep.
“Sheriff?” Flour tried to run a hoof through her hair, before giving up and just trying to lean behind the door a bit.
Hitch blushed, before composing himself. “Flour, are you and Dahlia all right?”
“Uh, yeah… you gave Dahlia quite a fright though. She went to take some of her medicine.”
He felt a twinge of guilt. “I’m sorry… I forgot about her heart condition.”
Flour smiled. “Don’t worry too much, she’s too stubborn to die until she finds somepony to help give her grand ponies. But what got you so riled up?”
“I found a severed—” Hitch caught himself, though Flour’s eyes had already gone wide in surprise. “I mean, I think somepony has been hurt and I need to figure out who, and why. So help me if it’s those crows…”
Dahlia walked up to the door behind her daughter. “Now, Sheriff, don’t be too hasty. My mother taught me never to be mean to a crow, you never know when one of them is actually a witch.”
Flour rolled her eyes. “That’s ridiculous, mom.”
“Hmph. And they said it was ridiculous the three tribes would get along, but we saw how that worked out.” Dahlia wandered off after saying her piece.
“Okay, just stay inside for a bit. It’ll be alright, I Just need to figure out what happened. I mean, it might not even be from a pony.”
“What’s not from a pony?” Flour asked.
“Nothing, sorry, the last thing we need is panic.” Hitch offered a weak smile. “Just promise you two will stay inside until I figure it out?”
“Hitch, it’s four in the morning. I’m going back to bed, and the worst thing Dahlia will get up to is throwing some bagels in the oven,” Flour explained.
Dahlia returned with a styrofoam cup full of coffee. “Here you go, Sheriff.”
“Thanks, Dahlia. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Probably get turned into a frog by an angry witch. Why just yesterday this unicorn tried to trade me some homemade butter for a bagel and had this weird sparkle in her eye,” Dahlia explained.
Flour groaned, but shot Hitch a brief smile as she closed the door. He could hear her on the other side trying to remind her mother that unicorns didn’t run around melting brains with horn lasers.
Hitch headed downstairs on three legs while sipping his coffee. He didn’t want to pull the eye back out just to try and figure out whose eye it was. Even if he had a great memory, there would be dozens of mares with a green iris. He decided the quickest course of action would be to head to the town’s medical clinic and see if anyone had come in with an injury.
The walk to the hospital was a bit quieter than yesterday, most ponies were still asleep. He took his time, but there really weren’t any clues to be spotted on the ground. It was pristine in fact, though he noticed a lot more bird droppings around than there were yesterday. The sky was a big foggy too, but that would clear up as soon as the sun finished rising.
Every rooftop appeared to be outlined in black. Perched side to side with no gaps between them, most buildings now had a veritable army of crows sitting atop them. Most of the birds were watching Hitch, while others took to preeing their flight feathers or pecking into the garbage for bits of discarded food.
He lost count after about a hundred, and started just shooing away as many birds as he could that got close to him. Hitch threw away his empty coffee once he finished it.
When he got to the hospital he was glad to finally be inside again. The lobby was empty, no injured ponies waiting to be seen was a good sign. The sterile white walls, smell of chemical cleaners, and absence of chattering birds was comforting.
“Sheriff, what can I help you with?” Nurse Cynthia asked.
Hitch walked up to the counter. “Has anypony checked in since yesterday missing an eye?”
She raised an eyebrow. “No. One foal with a fever, and a stallion who had too much to drink, but that’s all. Why do you ask?”
He looked around again to make sure the room was empty, and pulled out the plastic container. “I found an eye outside, and I need to know who it came from.”
Cynthia took the container, opening it up and glancing inside. “Hmm, about the right size, but if somepony lost an eye why wouldn’t they come to the hospital right away?”
Hitch paused for a moment as she held up the container to look closer, feeling his stomach shift a bit. “How can you be so detached?”
She offered him a smile, closing the container again for his benefit. “Trust me, the medical staff has seen it all. I’ve helped a surgeon fix a globe luxation before.”
“What now?”
“An eye that popped out, partially.” She gestured at the container. “As far as I can tell, this wasn’t cut out by a blade, and I doubt anypony would hold still anyway while it happened… so I figure you should look for one of two things.”
“I have a feeling I’m not gonna like the answer, but what are they?”
Cynthia nodded. “A pony that was already dead, and that an animal got to. Another option would be a criminal who got into an altercation, and can’t afford to come into the hospital as the Doctor would have to report him to you, Sheriff.”
“Could the crows have done this?” Hitch asked.
“I can’t rule it out, but the eye’s intact. Even if it came from a dead pony, could a crow get it out in one piece?” Cynthia sighed, handing the container back. “Sorry, Sheriff, I know you hate Tuesdays but it looks like this is going to be another long day for you.”
“Thanks, Cynthia.” Hitch put the container back in his saddlebag. “Well most of the town isn’t up yet, but if anypony does come in missing an eye, or injured by the birds, you find me at once. If you can’t, then find my assistant, Sprout, or one of the trainees. I think we’re going to need all hooves on deck to get to the bottom of this.”
As Hitch left the hospital he almost stepped on a small pile of buttons left outside the doors. A couple of the black birds stared down at him. Hitch scooped them up and carried them over to the trash.
“Caw.”
He looked at the crow perched on the rim of the rubbish bin and sighed. “What aren’t you telling me?” Hitch pondered. If ever there was a time to be able to talk to animals, this was it. Finally, he stuck the buttons into his saddlebag so as to not antagonize this crow.
“Caw.”
It seemed pleased, flying off to rejoin the others.
Hitch wasn’t sure why, but he felt like he should go check on Sunny. Perhaps it was the fact Sunny and his neighbors were the most important ponies in his life. Maybe Hitch just needed a little bit of that patented optimism right now; for Sunny to tell him that everything was going to be right. Either way, he should head over as soon as he could, and at the very least ensure she was okay.
The first order of business though, was to stop by Sprout’s house. He needed his deputy to help him out, for the time being Sprout’s past sins would be forgiven. They’d need all hooves on deck to get to the bottom of this mystery.
Sunlight was streaming through the windows to the modest mansion that Phyllis and Sprout lived in. After trying the doorbell a few times, Hitch gave up and just held the button down. Eventually the door opened and Phyllis appeared, curlers still in her hair.
“Sheriff, what seems to be the problem?” she asked.
“I need to talk to Sprout,” Hitch stated. “You too.”
“Oh, no problem.” Phyllis turned around and yelled “Sprout! Hitch is here to see you!”
“One minute!” Sprout shouted.
“No yelling in the house, sugarcube!” she replied.
Hitch heard a groan from upstairs, but a minute later Sprout headed down the stairs. He looked like he had just rolled out of bed, at least he had the good sense to get his deputy’s badge on the way.
“Hey, Boss, what’s up?” Sprout asked.
“Something’s off about these crows that have started showing up around town. I only asked a few of them to help with litter but there must be hundreds all over town now,” Hitch explained. “I need you to round up the trainees and get everyone to the precinct.”
Sprout leaned out the door to get a better look at the flock perched along the picket fence surrounding the house. They didn’t look menacing, unless he counted the power washing he’d have to give the fence later to get all the crap off it. “Sure. Are we under attack?”
“I’m not sure yet, the hospital reported no injuries but somepony lost an eye. Don’t agitate the birds, and sit tight at the station until I make sure Sunny’s safe at her lighthouse. Then I’m gonna have to find a way to convince them all to go away.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Phyllis asked.
Hitch thought about it for a few moments. “Help keep everypony calm, and get anything at Canterlogic that can be used as a bird cage ready. I have a feeling this is going to be a long day.”
Phyllis nodded, and noticed a cowlick in Sprout’s mane. She spit on a hoof and started straightening it out.
“Mom!” Sprout whined. He escaped her out the door and started to walk through the front yard with Hitch.
“Okay, Sprout. You’re in charge until I make sure Sunny’s okay. Don’t start any wars while I’m gone,” Hitch stated.
“Too soon, Hitch. Too soon.”
The trot up to the lighthouse was rather peaceful. All the crows seemed content to sit atop the rooftops as the sun came up, keeping a silent vigil over the town. The dirt path to the lighthouse was empty, with no places for the crows to perch. A couple were flying overhead looking for food, but for the first time in a couple days Hitch had finally gotten away from the incessant wailing. Hitch looked back at the town from the top of the small cliff that surrounded half the bay. On the other half was a smaller cliff, the two protecting Maretime bay from storm surges. From a distance the town’s terra cotta roof shingles gave most of the community an earthen brown appearance. Mixed in would normally be some warm reds, oranges, and white walls. Instead, the roofs had turned black as birds fought for space to nest.
As he approached the lighthouse he noticed that a large group of the birds was perched all around the upper levels. She must’ve been watching him approach. Before his hoof could make the first knock, Sunny opened her door and yanked him inside. Hitch stumbled in her living room as he heard the door close. The mare caught him and latched on in a hug so tight he had to push back a bit just to breathe. That was when he noticed how badly she was shaking, bad enough that perhaps she’d not have been able to stand without him to lean on.
“Are you okay? What happened?” He asked.
“I… I don’t know… I was just feeding the birds yesterday…”
Hitch noticed a wet spot on his shoulder where Sunny had cried. “It’s okay, I’m here. Just show me what happened, okay?”
It took her another minute to let go, before she took a deep breath and gestured towards the back door. “They started nesting on the lighthouse, and I’ve heard birds like peas. So I started cooking some to feed them, but more kept coming. They must have been happy because they started leaving… gifts…”
“Oh no. Please tell me it was bottle caps and yarn?” Hitch inquired.
She shook her head. “It’s right outside the back door.”
He gently pulled her legs off, ending the hug. “Okay, have a seat and I’ll check it out.”
Sunny nodded, taking a seat as he headed towards the door.
Hitch opened the back door and closed it behind him, looking over the assorted gifts the crows had left.
Surrounding a small garden that Sunny had planted was a pile of strange looking things Hitch had never seen before. The first that drew his eye was a large purple scale, it looked like it belonged to some sort of giant reptile. Next to that was a jagged black unicorn horn, except that it had several holes that pierced through it, and it looked sharp enough to cut flesh.
Beside that was a large hoof, cloven and too large to belong to a pony, or any domesticated livestock Hitch had heard of. A severed gray paw from a large dog lay atop two yellow halves of a shattered beak, again too large to be from any animal Hitch recognized. A large severed tentacle, perhaps from a squid, was still twitching in the pile.
A large stinger, curved and more wicked looking than any scorpion, was still dripping toxins. Beside that were two antlers of different sizes.
It occurred to him that it would be valuable to take some photos of all the unidentifiable parts for later. He pulled out his work phone and began to snap picture after picture of the different alien looking objects, from carapace to wings and horns, each distinctly alien.
Hitch stopped cataloguing and surveying the gruesome pile. He grabbed the black horn with holes in it, and stuck it in his saddlebag. Maybe a unicorn in town could tell him if they’d seen one like it before. He also took a rainbow colored insectoid wing, and one of the smaller reptilian scales.
By the time he got back inside Sunny had brewed some tea to calm her nerves. She looked up at him expectantly.
“I’ve never seen anything like it, other than a few bits of sea life I don’t recognize any of this stuff.” Hitch sighed, going over to find a cup of tea that had been prepared for him.
He noticed that Sunny still looked worried, so he put a hoof on her shoulder to comfort her.
“Do you think they’re hurting ponies?” Sunny asked.
Hitch thought about the eye in his saddlebag, but decided to spare that detail to her. “Most of it must be wild animals, but none I’ve heard of. I’m also going to call Zipp, maybe she can convince the Queen to send some of her guards to help us out. I need real reinforcements to deal with this.”
“Zipp mentioned taking some biology classes to me when she was studying to learn why Pegasi couldn’t fly. Do you think she’d recognize any of the… stuff in my yard?” Sunny shuddered just thinking about it.
“Couldn’t hurt to ask.”
He sent off a few quick text messages explaining the situation, and queued up a couple dozen pictures of the macabre effigy piled up in Sunny’s backyard. Hitch watched them send one by one, grateful for the stronger cell phone signal up at the lighthouse. It only took a few minutes to get confirmation from Zipp she’d do all she could to help out.
“Looks like we’re set on that front.” Hitch put his phone back and latched his saddlebag closed. “I think it’d be best if you come back to town and stay with me until we sort this out.”
Sunny opened her mouth to say something when the walls shuddered and an explosion of angry screaming shook the windows. The sun was blotted out for a moment as dozens of angry crows circled the building. Several of them attempted to fly through the windows.
They both looked around trying to figure out what had happened, when somepony screamed outside. Hitch vaulted over the coffee table and ran to the door, cracking it open to make sure no birds flew in.
A large black mass of undulating feathers seemed to be rolling across the ground, with brief flashes of pink fur and feather beneath it. The crows were diving in, beaks open and claws spread wide.
“Caw! Caw!”
Hitch rushed to help the pony being attacked by the swarm. “Stop this! Now!” He shouted.
Most of the crows turned to regard him and halted their attack, but there were still several angrily pecking at the pony. She was covering her face with her forelegs, both ears and wings flattened to her side as she curled into a ball.
“Stop, or else!” He started to bat away the crows with a foreleg. He got a few angry shrill cries, but they seemed unwilling to attack Hitch. Feeling bolder, he less gently hit the last few crows off. “Get lost!”
The crows watched him and he could sense their anger, but not one made a move to attack the pegasus again. Hitch recognized Dawn, and helped her to her hooves, before hurrying her inside.
As soon as Hitch had gotten some distance from the crows, whatever power he had over them broke. They began screeching and impacting the lighthouse looking for an opening again. The resulting cacophony of noise was panicking the mares, but the lighthouse held together.
Now that they were safe from the birds, he helped Dawn onto the couch. Sunny had gotten up and returned with a small first aid kit.
“What happened?” Hitch asked.
Sunny gave her a hug until Dawn calmed down a bit. “I was looking for you, Sheriff. When I was landing I accidentally stepped on one of them, and they went insane!” She winced in pain, spreading out her wings. Over half the feathers had been torn out. Her fur was a mess of small gashes, and tinged red
“I think I can clean up most of these wounds for you,” Sunny said.
Hitch sighed. “Crap, well I don’t think it’s a good idea to bring you into town at the moment. They seem to… tolerate me when they’re in a rage, I’d rather not try to walk you two out of here right now.”
For the first time today, Sunny finally cracked a smile. She knew how to be there for a pony in need, same as Hitch did, and having Dawn here to take care of seemed to embolden her. “Go on, Hitch. They just rebuilt the lighthouse and the windows are already closed and locked. I’ll take care of Dawn, you take care of the town.”
“You’re certain you’ll be fine here?” Hitch asked. “I have a feeling this is going to get worse before it gets better.”
“Yeah. We’ve still got the old storm cellar too, in case they get through the windows. We’ll do our part, Hitch.”
He smiled. “Hoof to heart.” He tapped Sunny’s hoof before heading towards the door.