Morning Patrol

Super Paintbrush Doe stretched her arms wide as morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of Paintbrush Fortress. Her blue and black supersuit gleamed with fresh paint splats from yesterday's training. She adjusted her purple mask and checked her red cape.

"Another peaceful day in Art Gallery Forest," she said, grabbing her giant magic blue paintbrush from its stand. The brush pulsed with a soft glow.

Outside, the four paintbrush towers sparkled like beacons. Deer families walked along tree-lined paths while human children played near colorful flower gardens. Street artists painted murals on designated walls throughout the forest city.

Doe flew a quick patrol loop, her cape flowing behind her. Everything looked normal. Too normal, perhaps.

Her phone buzzed with an urgent text from Gallery Director Martinez: "Emergency at the Modern Wing! Come immediately!"

Doe's heart raced as she changed direction, diving toward the main gallery building. What could be wrong on such a beautiful morning?

The Empty Frames

Super Paintbrush Doe swooped through the glass doors of the Modern Wing, her cape billowing behind her. Gallery Director Martinez stood frozen in the center of the main hall, staring at four empty frames hanging on the white walls.

"The paintings," Martinez whispered, her short black hair disheveled. "They're all gone."

Doe landed softly, her small antlers catching the overhead lights. "Which ones?"

"The Moonlight Series. Four masterpieces painted by local artist Rosa Fernandez. They were here when I locked up last night." Martinez pointed at each empty frame. "No alarms went off. No broken glass. Nothing."

Doe examined the frames with her x-ray vision. Clean cuts around the canvas edges. Professional work.

A small sparrow suddenly flew through an open skylight above, circling frantically before perching on one of the empty frames. It chirped repeatedly, as if trying to tell them something.

"Strange," Doe muttered. "Sparrows don't usually come inside galleries."

Martinez pulled out her phone. "Should I call the police?"

"Wait," Doe said, watching the sparrow. "Something feels different here."

The bird flew to the next empty frame, then the next, following a specific pattern.