Page 4 of Gift from the Wing

Before she tells me goodbye, she promises I’m safe with him and he’ll never hurt me.

Although I’m dizzy, as though I went on the merry-go-round too many times, I can’t stop from flinging myself at him in a fit of tears, clinging with my arms around his neck.

“There, there, it’s okay. I’m here now,” he says as he smooths his hand down my hair, shushing me quietly as I cry.

Time seems to stand still as I continue to let the heartache and confusion of the day pour out of me and into him. All my young, puzzled mind wants is to feel this affection and soak in this feeling that I’ve never felt before.

“You’re CC.” I hiccup as I finally release him and lay my head on his chest as though I’ve known him forever, not minutes.

“I am.”

“That’s not the name the lady called you in my head.”

“Oh really? When did a lady speak to you?” he asks.

“Just now.”

“Can you tell me what she said?”

“She called me a funny name and said she sent you here to look after me. Then she called you a different name. It was long.”

“I see. Did she give you her name?”

“Yeah, it’s…Elma…Elma…” I grunt, growing upset with myself as my stuttered, tear-drenched speech can’t get the word out.

“That’s okay. I know who spoke to you. Her name is Elementra,” he says softly, washing away the frustration.

“So it’s true? You’re going to take care of me from now on?” I pop up excitedly, smiling from ear to ear.

His eyes soften as he smiles down at me, but it’s not as full as my own and I immediately feel his restraint. “Yes and no. I’ll be here every single day, right in this spot, but you still must live in your house, and no one can know about me.”

My lip trembles and my eyes water as heartbreak spreads throughout my chest. “I-I don’t want to go back there.”

“I know, and I wish more than anything you didn’t have to, but for now, it’s the only way. It’ll be our secret and an adventure you get to go on every day,” he murmurs.

“Adventures? Like playing games and make-believe?” I ask with a newfound childlike excitement at the opportunity to do things I hear all the other girls talk about at school.

“Just like that. It’ll be like we live in a whole other world,” he says.

“I’d like that. Very much.”

“Me too, Willow, me too.” He sighs softly as he traces my face. Reaching up with his thumb, he wipes away the blood still dotting my chin, then looks up at the sky. “It’s time for you to get back.”

“No, not yet,” I beg.

“They’re out looking for you, my girl, and I have somewhere I must be, but I promise I’ll be back tomorrow.”

“Where do you have to be?”

He laughs lightly, wiping the tears pouring down my cheeks. “Today is a special day. My oldest nephew turns fourteen.”

“Fourteen?” I gasp. “That’s so old.”

His laughter echoes through the forest and he tilts his headback against the trunk of the weird tree. It’s so warm and comforting, I giggle right along with him.

“One day, you’re going to find that hilarious, sweet Willow,” he says gently, with a small smile. “Come on now.”

Again, I cling to him like my life depends on it, refusing to allow him to put me down. Without a complaint, he stands, holding me cradled in his arms, and makes it back through the trek that I practically crashed through to get here.

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