Forever unfinished pigeon entry

Instructions

Pigeon is a freelance delivery cat on Dewbay, a sleepy seaside island. He gives letters packed in his feathered tote bag whilst his bird companion jin helps deliver by holding onto letters too. Pigeon and jin has set off to the city for a job interview so they can become part of a more major business in the industry. Pigeon has tasked jin with holding a letter, despite no deliveries needed to take place. Whilst they’re flying the letter flies open and Jin takes a peek, before realising the real reason they’re going to the city. Pigeon grew up in the city, with his parents and his little sister Dove. Thier parents were successful deliverers, so they would fly way overseas internationally to give out packages and larger loads, which resulted in Pigeon and Dove often being home alone. They received the news one fateful day that thier parents would be coming back, which excited Pigeon and Dove dearly and filled them with hope. On the day of their return, they where perplexed to find Jin, thier parents bird companion, alone with nothing but a look of pure empathy and a small paper letter wrapped in a familiar velvet ribbon- the family bow to wrap around thier delivery service hats to represent themselves, which is believed to never be taken off. Pigeons heart splitted into thirteen, pattering unexplicably fast as he dashed do the door and sprawled the letter out on the floor. Tears filled his eyes as he read the letter. It said his parents had passed during their return home. Pigeon didn’t believe it was true. It couldn’t be. His parents were the best delivery birds in the nation. They where even being scouted as pilots to deploy bombs in war. They wouldn’t die from a small setback like this. Though not present much, Pigeons parents where the pinacle of his life. His dad knelt down one day, placed a paw on his shoulder and showed him the family velvet ribbon to wrap around thier hats. He explained its importance and how it shows just how crucial they are to their family and shows their worth of delivering and protecting. His dad ripped off a small part of the ribbon and wrapped it round his sons hat. “You will be my successor son, delivering love, gratitude and relief, and most importantly, protecting fragile packages, such as your sister. Never forget that,” Is what he recited. “This ribbon will bind this oath to you. If you break it, there is no hope. Breaking it breaks your dedication to the family.” Pigeon took those words by heart, not fully understanding them all and strived to be the best and protect. So when he heard this news, his heart tore apart as he tore the letter to shreds. “What does it say Pigeon?” Dove inquired, but Pigeon already took off.“They can’t be dead. The can’t be dead. Mums clever. Dads brave. They’re invincible. They can’t be dead. They’re not dead. They’re hiding. They’re just running away, aren’t they? I don’t care if u leave us again!! Just be alive!! Everything is ok when I look into the sky and know that your up theyre!! But your flying too high!! U can’t be gone. It’s impossible. Im not ready to lead this family. Dad… please…” he muttered these words repeatedly and anxiously as tears brimmed his eyelids, voice cracking as his world did. He flew through the stormy city, with no sign of fatigue or end, as his sister watched in pure horror as he left her. His ribbon of honour unraveled, plunging into the damp gloomy sky as Pigeon soared high above. Jin followed after in urgency but Dove, with her undeveloped wings, could only watch. She saw her brothers ribbon silently and gently sway towards her. That’s when she knew all hope was lost. Her brother broke the oath and left her to die, or at least that’s how she perceived it. The storm Pigeon flew through grew harder, throwing him off course and eventually he lost all control and passed out, letting the wind carry him. In his final moments he reached for his lucky velvet ribbon, only to not see it there. His face dropped and he shrieked in pure agony once the realisation hit him. He left his oath. He left his soul purpouse. He left his will to exist. He left what he strived for. Just then, for a moment, he closed his eyes, and hoped he had left his life too as his ice cold heart plunged into the freezing waters of the ocean. He woke up on an island, the one known as Dewbay, with Jin beside him. He passed him his hat. It had a red ribbon on it. It wasn’t velvet, it wasn’t binded with an oath, and it definitely wasn’t dads. He pushed it away with a face of disgust. Jin frowned. “Your parents were destined for this fate. As sorrowing as may be, it was expected, especially in this risky field of work. I never liked they way they did things. Souls sold to the government, only doing as they said. Their recognition was as puppets, not people.” Pigeon was speechless. He had never really talked to Jin before, but his direct and harsh nature was painful but comforting. No wonder he was so close to dad.