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.
Alex Brightsmith 
Excellent take on the prompt, very inventive 🙂
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