Page 30 of Pick Me Up On Tuesdays

I paused, squinting through the camera.

Something was wrong.

The nest was... empty.

The bird was gone.

And I had a very bad feeling.

"Um," I said, lowering the camera. "Where did it—"

Before I could finish, the bird swooped down out of nowhere, and I barely had time to react before—

THWAP.

The camera was knocked out of my hands, the force of it sending me stumbling backward.

Joy gasped. "Clark! Are you—"

I held up a hand. "I’m fine."

A pause.

Ethan leaned in. "You sure? Because that was—"

"I am fine," I repeated, dying on the inside.

Shun picked up the camera, inspecting it. "Well… good news: the camera still works."

Mr. Dax crossed his arms. "And the bad news?"

"Clark’s dignity does not."

I groaned.

Ethan patted my back sympathetically. "You tried, buddy."

"Shut up, Ethan."

Final Documentary Report:

Footage collected? Barely.

Personal injuries? Surprisingly minimal.

Clark’s patience? Completely destroyed.

Would I do this again? Absolutely not.

The perfect shot?

Not even close.

Chapter 11: Clark vs, Gravity. A Tragic Love Story.

As I sat there recovering, I heard it.

Bzzzt. Bzzzt.

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