Marginalia

the fourth floor

screeches, drowned out by the waves. horrific echoes. the tiles of the falcon at the bottom of the pool — its gaze piercing, cold, water rippling. panic and terror and blood course through them.

then the surface of the pool grows calm. quiet. puddles left for anyone to see. a blue ID slowly sinks.

30 minutes later, yellow caution tape surrounds the area. kids in gray and white, peeking in between.

the police know who did it.

a green feather drifts to the ground.

his mistakes have led to this moment.

they rip the mask off the mascot.

there must be consequences.

no one sleeps that night.

he just wanted to be seen.