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go ask him to come and help. Will you please let me do it?’
    The stallion considered her words. He neighed softly.
    ‘Thank you,’ Emily said, patting him. ‘If I leave now, I should be back very soon. With Joel’s help, we can get that spear out of your side and set your wing.’
    She pulled out her cellphone and stepped up to his side. ‘I’m going to take your picture. It might be easier then to convince Joel that you’re really here.’ Making sure she got his wing in the shot, she took the stallion’s picture.
    ‘Perfect. OK, I’m going now. You’ve got extra water for drinking, and there are still some carrots and beans left if you get hungry. I really shouldn’t be too long. But even if I am, please keep hidden in this shed. I don’t want anyone to see you and take you away from me.’
    Emily wondered if she should lock him in the shed. But then she thought better of it. If Pegasus were to get frightened, he might break down the door or even destroy the shed. Then there would be no place to hide him. Instead she left the door open and hoped the stallion would remain inside.
    ‘I’ll be back soon,’ she called as she turned on the flashlight and entered the stairwell.
    Emily was surprised by how many people there were on the stairs. Some, like her, had flashlights; others used lighters or candles. Everyone seemed in bright spirits. Neighbours who usually never spoke to each other laughed and chatted as they slowly descended or climbed the stairs.
    It took ages getting down to the ground. But as Emily stepped into the lobby, she realized that going down was a heck of a lot easier than climbing back up was going to be. She only hoped she could get Joel to come back with her.
    Once outside, Emily was struck again by the eerie silence of the city. There were people on the sidewalk, but very little traffic. All the shops and wholesalers were closed. It was like some strange holiday.
    Emily ignored the stares of the people she passed along the way. She’d forgotten to comb her hair or even wash her face. She knew she looked even worse than Pegasus.
    The journey seemed endless, but as she arrived at 21st Street and 2nd Avenue, she looked at the line of brownstones across from the school. Which one was Joel’s?
    She considered calling out his name in the hopes that someone would hear and tell her where he lived. But as she walked down the street, she saw a well-built boy sitting on the front stoop of one of the buildings. His wide shoulders were slumped and his head of wavy black hair was lowered. As she drew near, she was grateful to see it was Joel.
    Then the nerves started.
    Emily wasn’t sure how she should approach him. His expression was as threatening as the storm from the previous night. She took a deep breath and climbed the few steps to the stoop.
    ‘Hi Joel.’
    Joel looked her up and down.
    ‘I’m Emily Jacobs,’ she pressed on. ‘We both have the same home-room and math class.’
    Her comment received only a blank stare.
    ‘That was some storm last night, wasn’t it?’ she said with forced cheerfulness. ‘I saw the lightning hit the Empire and blow the top right off. It did more damage than King Kong!’
    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