Joel looked at her blankly. Finally he broke his silence. ‘Go away.’
At that moment, seeing his angry, unwelcoming face, there was nothing on earth Emily would have rather done. But thoughts of the spear in Pegasus kept her feet locked on the spot.
‘Look, Joel, I know we’ve never talked before, but I really need your help—’
His dark eyes flashed. ‘Are you deaf or just plain stupid? I said go away!’
‘I would love to, but I can’t,’ Emily said desperately. ‘Something happened last night and you’re the only person I can think of to help. Please, will you speak to me for a moment? Then if you still feel the same, I’ll go.’
‘What do you want?’ Joel demanded. ‘What’s so important that you had to come here and bother me? Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately? You’re a mess.’
Emily’s own temper flared. The pain from her swollen eye and many scratches told her exactly what she looked like. But she also knew that Pegasus was her only priority. He needed her more than her pride did.
‘You really want to know what’s so important?’ she shot back. ‘Why I would come here and try to talk to you when I know for sure you hate the whole world? Pegasus, that’s why. He’s what’s so important!’
Joel’s expression changed for the briefest of moments. In that instant, Emily saw a flicker of interest. But just as quickly, the veil of anger came crashing down again.
‘What about him?’ he challenged.
Emily advanced on the bully. ‘I’ve seen the pictures you’ve sketched on your books. He’s all you ever draw.’
‘So?’ Joel demanded.
Emily looked up to the sky, not knowing what to do. Did she dare risk telling him her secret? Did she really have a choice?
‘What if he were real?’ she started. ‘I mean, if he was, and he was hurt, would you want to help him?’
Anger flashed again in Joel’s chocolate brown eyes. He stood quickly, looming over her. ‘What kind of dumb question is that? Are you making fun of me because I like Pegasus? If you are, I swear I’ll thump you!’
‘No I’m not making fun of you!’ Emily said, just as quick and just as angry. ‘Joel, listen to me. Please …’
She reached into her pocket and fished out her cell. Opening it, she held up the photograph of the winged stallion.
‘You may not believe me but last night Pegasus, the real Pegasus, wings and all, was struck by lightning and crashed on my roof. He’s there right now and he’s badly hurt. I’ve done all I can, but one of his wings is broken and I don’t know how to set it. If you really care about him like I think you do, you’ll come with me and help him!’
Emily’s hands were shaking too much to allow Joel to see the photograph on the small screen. He reached out and took hold of the cell.
‘He landed in my mother’s rose garden. That’s why I’m such a mess. Then when I tried to help him stand up again, his broken wing hit me in the face and gave me this black eye.’
Suddenly the exhaustion of the long night caught hold of her and she sat down. ‘Please,’ she begged. ‘He’s in so much pain. I don’t know what to do for him.’
Joel was still clutching the cell as he cautiously sat down beside her. ‘Go on, I’m listening.’
‘Pegasus is hurt. He’s hurt really bad,’ Emily explained, relieved at last that Joel was listening. ‘He’s also been in a terrible fight. He can’t tell me why or with whom. But he’s cut all over and there’s a big spear that’s still in him. I’m not strong enough to pull it out on my own. That’s why I thought of you.’
‘Why? Because I’m so big?’ Joel challenged, suddenly growing angry and defensive again. ‘Just a big dumb Italian?’
Emily shook her head. ‘No, that’s not it at all. Listen to me. Pegasus is hurt! I came here because I thought you cared and wouldn’t want to see him captured.’
Joel hesitated. There was now an expression of doubt rising on his face. ‘How do I know it’s not a trick? Or some kind of stupid joke?’
Emily shook her head and stood again. ‘Look at me,’ she said wearily. ‘Do I look like I’m joking? Does this black eye look like make-up? You think I gave myself all these cuts from the rose bushes just so I could come here to cause trouble for you? This isn’t a trick, Joel, I swear on my mother’s soul. Pegasus needs our help!’
Joel was silent for so long that Emily almost gave up.
Starting to descend the stairs again, Emily looked up at him. ‘I can’t leave him alone too long. It’s a simple question. Are you coming or not?’
Joel looked from Emily up to the doors of the brownstone, then back at Emily again.
Finally he started to descend the stairs. ‘All right, I’m coming.’
When he reached the pavement, he stood before her. ‘But if this is a joke, I don’t care if you are a girl. I swear I’ll knock your head off!’
6