Chapter 3All Souls’ Zoo

The next area was the aviary. A row of parrots perched on a branch, their heads cocked. As I passed, they started talking.

"Your favorite ship is queerbait."

"The day before my wedding, I found out my fiancé was sleeping with my maid of honor."

"I am the last heir of the Romanov dynasty. Venmo me $500 for a train ticket to my hidden vault, and I will make you a Duke when I reclaim my throne."

"The McDonald's ice cream machine is broken. Again."

I ignored them all. Finally, one parrot, its feathers matted with something dark and wet, preened itself and spoke in a chillingly clear voice.

"There’s no signal in this park. And the man you're talking to? He's not alive."

I wanted to reach out and clamp its beak shut. Way to be a buzzkill, you feathered menace. Shanyuan was my only lifeline in this godforsaken place.

I stopped in my tracks and spun to face the bird, my voice ringing with indignation.

"You take that back! Don't you dare try to drive a wedge between us! Everyone in my chat, all my viewers... they're my family! They're the only reason I'm still going!"

The parrot just stared at me. "..."

Then it spat. "Ptooey. Simp."

【LMAOOOO a parrot trying to stir up drama】

【omg that trust... i'm crying chloe we love you】

【I've been a sub for three years, I knew I picked the right streamer!】

【Fake fan alert, she's only been streaming for two years.】

The warmth in the chat settled my frayed nerves. I turned my back on the squawking parrot and pushed onward.