Hawk's thoughts were rudely interrupted by a sudden whiff of air and a hiss as the barn owl swooped just over his head, its talons nearly brushing his hair. He skidded to a stop, gasping, as the owl swung round towards him, a ribbon of noise trailing ethereally from its claws. Hawk stared, transfixed, as the owl opened its beak--and then its throat split too, nearly all the way to its shoulders, forming a pair of crude and jagged jaws. It made no sound.

"Jesus," Hawk whispered. The owl made for him again and he flung one wing up to shield himself and Teige. "FUCK OFF!"

The owl--now elongated, skinny, looking less and less like a bird--skated off the outside of his wing, a wan blue noisy light hissing between its talons and his feathers. He left it flapping soundlessly behind him, its jaws agape, as he sprinted for the end of the alleyway.

"Teige?" he asked. Teige, reassuringly, grunted in response. Hawk clenched his jaw. "Look, this is gonna sound crazy, but can people see death? I think that's death I'm seein'."