“Thanks,” said Phil, repositioning himself so that his feet were on the ground and his body was once more aligned with the vertical plane.
“Don’t mention it,” replied Timmy telepathically. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got bigger fish to psychokinetically eviscerate.”
“He’s actually a snake. With wings.”
“Yeah, I know, I saw the reports on TV. It was just a play on words.”
“Oh, right,” said Phil, “right. Sorry, it’s been a… hectic… disorientating couple of days.”
“Been there, brother.”
A helicopter noisily passed over the duo. They looked up, neither one entirely sure of what to expect. What they saw was Quetzalcoatl also noticing the helicopter and fleeing from the Eiffel Tower like a startled pigeon.
“Damn it,” said Timmy, watching his prey escape. “What the shit is that?” he asked, returning his attention to the flying machine.
“A helicopter,” answered Phil.
“You have no idea how much I’m regretting saving your life.”
The helicopter landed in the middle of the street, less than twenty yards from Phil and Timmy. A number of people in suits and a number of people not in suits poured from the vehicle’s door.
“It’s a philosopher!” shouted one of the ones in a suit, pointing at Phil. “Kill him!”
“Seriously,” said Timmy. “No fucking idea.”
“Whoa, hold on,” shouted Phil, stepping forward and putting up his hands in a gesture of surrender. “I’m… on your side.”
“Why should we believe you?” said the suit with a bag on her head, approaching the duo.
“Because Quetzalcoatl… no longer cares for my company. He threw me… off the top of an Eiffel Tower.”
“An Eiffel Tower?” asked a taller, bagless her.
The even taller, well-built man with the sideburns standing next to her pointed up.
“Oh, right,” replied the girl.
“How are you alive then?” asked the other, shorter, bagless female.
“This squirrel…” said Phil, motioning to Timmy, “halted my descent… with his mind.”
“Somehow,” said the girl, lowering her head and rubbing her temples, “that’s not the strangest thing I’ve ever heard.”
Timmy stood up on his hind legs and waved. His tiny cape billowed heroically.
“Good enough for me,” said the tall, blonde man by the girl’s side, shrugging.