I never wanted to fly. Especially not on an albatross. Especially not to some cursed bayou in the middle of nowhere. But here I am—Bernard, janitor of the Rescue Aid Society, clinging to Orville’s back like my life depends on it. Because it does.

Miss Bianca sits in front of me, elegant as ever, her fur fluttering in the wind. 'Don’t be afraid, Bernard,' she says, glancing back with that warm, confident smile. 'We’re going to save a child.'

I stammer, 'B-But what if we’re too late? What if the cave floods? What if the crocodiles—'

'We’ll handle it together,' she says, cutting me off gently. 'That’s why I chose you.'

I blush, but before I can respond, Orville dives toward a misty swamp. Below, a rotting riverboat looms, surrounded by still, dark water. This is Devil’s Bayou. And somewhere in that nightmare, Penny is waiting.

As we land, Evinrude zips toward us, wings buzzing. 'They’ve got her,' he says. 'Medusa’s making her go into the cave tomorrow at dawn.'

Bianca turns to me. 'We have one night to stop them. Are you with me?'