Slappy- Canaries

My breath caught in my throat. I uttered a strangled gasp.
Chirp.
I heard it again.
It came from behind me. To my left. I turned — and I saw what made the sound.
The canaries in the birdcage.
Chirp. Again.
And I began to feel strange. The spotlight dimmed. The whole auditorium darkened to black. The stage felt as if it was tilting beneath me, about to spill me into the audience.
My head suddenly felt heavy.
I knew what was happening. Yes, of course I knew. But there was no way to stop it.
The birds had given the signal. There was no way to stop Slappy from taking over once again.

- Son of Slappy, chapter 34