Tales from the Hood by Michael Buckley Page B

being run over. The commotion was causing problems in the canal, too. Boats steered out of the way to avoid colliding with the unexpected swimmers. Other boats stopped abruptly, causing a traffic jam. In a matter of seconds, the family’s chase had come to a complete halt.
    “What do we do now?” Sabrina said, watching Goldilocks’s boat at the head of the line. She was still drifting along undeterred.
    Uncle Jake set the pole in the boat. “We improvise,” he said, stepping onto the boat next to theirs. Daphne was right behind him, followed by Sabrina. They moved from one boat to the next, careful not to capsize each new vessel. Soon they were making good progress and closing the gap between themselves and Goldilocks.
    Daphne called out to the woman when they were just three boats away. Goldilocks turned to them, but her attention was quickly distracted. The motorcyclist in black raced up a bridge directly over the canal and parked his bike. The bridge was under construction, and several large stones intended for the repairs were stacked nearby. The motorcyclist heaved one off the bridge and onto Goldilocks’ boat. His aim was either incredible or incredibly lucky. The heavy stone blasted through the bottom of the boat and water started pouring through the hole like a geyser. Startled, the gondolier leaped into the water, leaving Goldilocks to fend for herself.
    Goldilocks, however, stood up calmly, glanced around as if searching for someone, and then did something so odd that Sabrina wondered if the woman was insane. She began chirping and squawking at a pigeon resting on the bridge. The bird seemed just as surprised by the woman’s noises as Sabrina, and it flew into the air.
    “What was that all about?” Sabrina asked, but before anyone could answer, a flock of pigeons returned, casting an enormous shadow over the canal. They dove down to Goldilocks’s boat and dug their tiny talons into her clothes. Together they lifted her out of the boat, their wings flapping furiously. Goldilocks sailed high above the canals and over the hotels and other buildings. Sabrina gaped as she watched the woman disappear into the horizon.
    “Did you see that? It was like she was talking to those birds. They seemed to understand her!” Sabrina said.
    “Yeah, I forgot about that,” Uncle Jake said. “Goldilocks can talk to animals.”
    Sabrina scanned the bridge for the motorcyclist but he was gone. All she heard was the sound of his engine fading in the distance.

     
    “Who was that guy, anyway?” Daphne asked as their boat bumped into the gondola of some Japanese honeymooners.
    “I don’t know,” Uncle Jake said. “But now I know why Goldie keeps moving around so much. He’s chasing her. She’s in danger.”

     
    When the family returned home, there was no time to relax or even discuss what had just happened. Granny Relda and Barto the miniature orc were waiting. Judge Hatter had moved the trial up by three hours. If they didn’t leave for the courthouse right away they would miss the day’s proceedings. Granny ushered them all downstairs and into the family car. Uncle Jake started the massive jalopy, and after a good ten minutes of knocks and rattles, and several loud backfires, the vehicle was on the road headed toward the courthouse.
    The courtroom was more packed than the day before with many fresh faces in the crowd.
    “Stay close, people,” Barto insisted as he eyed the spectators suspiciously. Sabrina watched her sister roll her eyes at the little security guard, but said nothing. Her attention was focused on Snow White, whom she spotted near the door. Ms. White smiled when they entered and Sabrina waved at her. Granny thanked her for coming, though their conversation was short and stiff. Even Briar Rose was there. She kissed Uncle Jake on the cheek, and he returned the gesture by kissing the palm of her hand. They all squeezed into seats.
    Robin and Little John had warned them that the trial would be more