As you sow …

Slither. Thump. Sigh.

Slither. Scrabble. Thump. A curse the child should not have known.

Opening one eye reluctantly, convinced that I had dozed for a decade, at most, I watched her climb the curtain and reach towards the seal.

Scrabble. Thump. “You’re awake!”

She bounded towards me, eternally optimistic, eternally determined. Eternally nine years old.

“I should be asleep – as should you.”

“I woke up. I was bored. But you’re awake now. Can we play? With dolls?”

Seeing my scowl, she changed track, wheedling

“Or any game you like? Can’t we? Please?”

I sighed, and conjured a pair of dolls from the air.

My fault. My responsibility.

Offered, with simple trust, her third wish, I had made that wish that was in my heart – I, who have seen a thousand unwise wishes.

I had wished only for company.

Merciful Spirits hear me, this was never my intent.

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You know the drill by now. This is a VisDare story: follow the link for more.