‘Hair dye,’ Joel explained. ‘We got ten packages. But there was one little problem: they aren’t all the same colour. We got dark brown and black.’ He paused and added, ‘They’re not the same brands either. Do you think that could cause a problem?’
Emily shrugged. ‘I don’t know. I used to help my mom colour her hair, but she always used the same kind. I don’t even know if this will work on a horse.’
Once again, Pegasus complained at the ‘H’ word.
‘I’m sorry, Pegs.’ Emily reached out to stroke his face. ‘But you know what I mean. This is meant for people. I just hope it doesn’t hurt you.’
‘We’ve got to try,’ Joel said. ‘He’s shining like a star. It won’t take long for the CRU to find us if he stays like that. It’s not so bad in daylight, but now he’s glowing like a beacon.’
The decision was made to use the hair dye before they went much further. They picked their way through the trees until they came to one of Central Park’s many ponds. The major work would be done under the cover of the trees, and they would only risk exposing themselves once it was time to rinse Pegasus off.
‘If you work with his head and mane, I’ll start with his tail and back end. We can meet in the middle,’ Joel suggested. ‘It’s too dark to read the instructions. Do you know what to do?’
Emily explained to Joel how her mother used to mix the chemicals together before applying it to her hair. They both put on the latex gloves that came with the packages and started to work.
‘I’m so sorry, Pegs,’ Emily apologized as she applied the dark, smelly liquid to his beautiful white face, ‘but this is to help hide you. We are going to try to make you look like a regular dark horse. That way, if anyone sees you, they’ll never know the truth.’
Covering the entire stallion seemed to take ages and used all of the dye that they had. They were careful not to get any on the feathers of his wings. When they finished applying the last of it, Emily pulled off her latex gloves.
‘Now we wait,’ she said as she sat down tiredly. Her leg was really starting to hurt. ‘It used to take my mother thirty minutes to set the colour.’
‘How about we give him thirty-five,’ Joel said, setting his digital watch and sitting beside her.
As they waited, they listened to the sounds of the helicopters endlessly searching the park. More than once, a helicopter passed directly over their heads, but the cover of trees kept them from being seen.
‘Time’s up,’ Joel finally said, helping Emily up.
‘Let’s get you rinsed off, Pegs,’ Emily said as she put on a fresh pair of gloves.
Leaving the protection of the trees, they looked up to check the position of the helicopters. The military were concentrating their efforts at the lower end of the park. Pegasus entered the dark water of the pond. Emily started to follow him in.
‘Emily, stop,’ Joel held up a warning hand.
‘But I can help,’ she protested.
‘Yeah, and your leg can get really infected by this filthy water,’ Joel argued. ‘Stay on the shore and keep watch. Let me know if anyone is coming.’
Emily resented being told what do to. She could do as much as he could. But deep down, she knew Joel was right. Her leg was throbbing badly. There was something seriously wrong with it. Adding dirty water would only make things worse.
‘All right,’ she agreed. ‘But be as quick as you can.’
Standing on the edge, Emily nervously watched the searching helicopters overhead as Joel led Pegasus into deeper water. The stallion submerged himself and Joel rubbed him down quickly.
‘Hurry,’ Emily cried as two of the helicopters started to veer away from the others and move towards them. ‘They’re coming this way!’
They were moving faster than expected. There was no way Joel and Pegasus would have time to get out of the water before the helicopters were upon them.
‘Get down!’ Joel cried as he and the stallion ducked beneath the surface.
Emily barely had time to dash into the trees before the bright searchlight shone on the spot where she’d just been standing. With the blood pounding in her veins and wounded leg, she followed the progress of the helicopters as they continued north over the park.
‘All clear!’ she called as she limped back to the water’s edge.
Joel and Pegasus both raised their heads above the surface cautiously. With renewed urgency, Joel finished rinsing off the stallion.
Pegasus emerged from the water looking as dark as the night, though his wings were still brilliant white. As Emily covered the wings with a blanket, a new voice startled them.
‘What have you done to him?’
A tall woman stormed forward. She was dressed in filthy rags, but had an elegance and authority when she walked. She carried a long spear that had a sharp point that glowed bright gold. Her eyes were electric blue and blazed in the dark.
‘How dare you touch him!’ she challenged, shoving Emily aside and going straight up to Pegasus. ‘And what is this horror you have done to him?’
She turned her attention to Pegasus. ‘How could you let these foolish children touch you like this?’