Max had undersold the number of pelicans outside the Engineer’s shop. The place was filthy with them. They were crammed onto the roof and a sizeable pod of them also loitered outside the front door. They crapped on the pavement and opened their beaks to let out a strange and guttural noise.
The building had a large neon sign above the door that read, Books. A pelican stood perched on the letter B. All the adjacent buildings appeared to be abandoned, their windows sealed shut with wooden boards. The pelicans didn’t rush to clear a path for Malibu as she walked to the door, but just slid a step or two to the side, opened their beaks wider, and made that strange noise even louder.
BooksWhen Malibu reached the door, it creaked open wide, as if moved by magic. She stepped inside. Light floode
