Echo Fieldana's Arc

Chapter 1 of 4

Echo Fieldana adjusted her glasses and counted the cardboard boxes stacked against her apartment wall. Seventeen. Each one held supplies she'd been gathering for months—netting, first aid kits, perches, feed containers. Her dream was simple: build a bird sanctuary in Fenif where every injured wing could heal and every lost creature could find a home. She taped the last box shut and smiled. Tomorrow, she'd scout locations. The morning sun warmed her face as she walked through Fenif's empty streets. Most buildings were falling apart or too small. Then she spotted it—an old stadium painted hot pink and gold. The paint was peeling, but the structure looked solid. Echo pushed through the gate and stepped inside. The open space stretched wide, with high ceilings perfect for flight cages. Her heart beat faster. This was it. She needed to start rescue work right away. Echo pulled out her notebook and sketched plans. The gothic cage she'd bought last week would work perfectly for catching injured birds. Its black latticework was strong but gentle, with a hinged door that closed smoothly. She could set it up with food inside and wait. Any bird that needed help could walk in safely. Echo walked to the town square and found a quiet alcove surrounded by trees. Someone had left a small table there with books and an old tea set. She pinned her notice to the board nearby: "Bird Sanctuary Opening Soon. Found an injured bird? Call Echo." She stepped back and read it twice. The sanctuary was real now. People would see this and know where to bring birds that needed saving. Her boxes of supplies would finally have a purpose.