A Flash Of White On The Shoulder
Tires hummed a steady rhythm against the asphalt as a silver sedan blurred past on the two-lane road.
Moments later, a white Toyota Land Cruiser pulled off the main lane, its heavy tires crunching onto the rough, loose gravel of the shoulder.
The vehicle’s headlights cut through the flat, gray light of the overcast afternoon, illuminating a strange shape resting near the solid white boundary line.
Just inches from the pavement, a large, pure white bird lay completely motionless on the rocks.
It was a peacock, its long tail folded tight and resting perfectly flat against the jagged gray stones.
A thick cluster of dark debris sat clumped against the bird’s back, creating a harsh visual contrast against its snowy plumage.
The bird’s long neck stretched out limply, its head resting near the asphalt as the wind from passing cars lightly ruffled its neck feathers.
The driver’s side door clicked open, and a man wearing a blue and white plaid short-sleeve shirt and jeans stepped out.
He pushed the heavy car door shut and turned his attention immediately to the fallen animal.
His boots dug into the loose gravel as he walked slowly toward the front of his parked SUV.
He kept his eyes fixed entirely on the bird, watching carefully for any sign of a flinch or a twitch.
He closed the distance using measured, deliberate strides, clearly trying not to startle the creature.
Assessing The Damage
Reaching the bird, the man bent his knees and crouched down low beside it.
He brought himself closer to eye level with the peacock, resting his weight entirely on the balls of his feet.
He leaned in close, inspecting the feathers along the bird’s left side.
Beneath the cluster of dark debris, tucked slightly under the curve of the main wing joint, a stark patch of red blood stained the white feathers.
The injury looked raw, a bright crimson spot standing out vividly against the surrounding clean down.
The blood had clumped a few of the smaller feathers together, exposing the skin underneath.
The man shifted his posture, reaching down and pulling a green aerosol can of wound spray from his supplies.
He held the can a few inches directly above the injured wing, eyeing the target.
He aimed the nozzle carefully, making sure it pointed exactly at the center of the deep red mark.
With a firm, sustained press of his index finger, he released a steady mist onto the cut.
The spray hissed loudly as it coated the damaged area, the liquid settling deep into the ruffled feathers.
The peacock remained perfectly still under his hands.
It did not lift its head or pull its wing away from the sudden hissing sound of the aerosol can.
After thoroughly coating the spot, the man released the nozzle and set the green can down onto the stones beside him.
Careful Application
He reached over and picked up a small white plastic bottle, twisting the cap off with his thumb and forefinger.
He tilted the bottle downward, aiming the narrow spout at the exact center of the red stain he had just sprayed.
He squeezed the plastic sides of the bottle gently.
A thick, milky-white liquid poured from the tip, forming a straight line directly over the deepest part of the wound.
He dragged the bottle slowly across the injury, moving his hand smoothly from left to right.
He watched the liquid pool slightly against the rigid quills of the flight feathers, completely coating the red skin underneath.
Next, the man retrieved a flat, square white gauze pad.
He grasped the very edges of the pad between his thumb and first two fingers, keeping the center portion untouched.
He lowered the square down toward the bird’s side, hovering for a split second to check his alignment over the white liquid.
He pressed the pad gently onto the wet spot, using just the soft pads of his fingers to apply light pressure.
The moisture grabbed the gauze, adhering it instantly to the surrounding feathers and sealing the wound.
His fingers lingered over the edges of the bandage, smoothing them down against the natural curve of the peacock’s side.
He pressed the corners down one last time, making sure the red stain was entirely hidden beneath the clean white square.
A Sudden Display
The man stood up fully, straightening his legs and stepping a few paces back.
He brought over a clear plastic tub filled with water and set it carefully on the gravel near his boots.
The white peacock was no longer lying flat on the rocks.
It stood upright now, its long, thin gray legs supporting its entire body weight.
The bird took a tiny, tentative step forward on the loose stones, testing its balance.
It shook its body slightly, the long tail feathers rustling against the ground as it adjusted its posture.
Suddenly, the bird lifted its massive tail feathers straight up toward the gray sky.
The long quills fanned outward in a single, fluid motion, creating a massive, perfectly symmetrical half-circle.
The display was a solid wall of pure white plumage, catching the ambient light.
The intricate eye-spots characteristic of peacocks were barely visible as raised, ghost-like textures woven into the solid white fan.
The man stood with his arms relaxed at his sides, a wide smile breaking across his face.
He watched quietly as the peacock held its bright white display wide open, standing tall next to the plastic water tub on the side of the road.
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