WOW 555 – Life

Happy Friday!

This has been kind of an off week for me – I feel like I’m still recovering from being on the west coast, though it definitely shouldn’t be taking this long. The weather hasn’t been helping much either – I thought we were finally over chilly days, but they just won’t let go. At least gloomy/chilly days are good for writing (not that I got a lot done this week, but still).

For #WOW555 this week, the prompt is a bit more chipper than I had hoped, and it actually was pretty difficult fitting it in with Emma and Malakai’s story. But, by some miracle, I was able to make it work. How successful I was is up to you.

Prompt: This week’s challenge must include the phrase “It’s a new life.”

So, here it is.

~~~

His Thoughts

“Idiot!” My fist collided with the stone wall, knuckles splitting painfully, though it didn’t bother me as much as it should have. I glanced at Emma, who was back to sleeping on the ground by the dead fire. Why did I do it? One kiss had been bad enough – why did I have to kiss her again? Even worse – I still wanted to.

With a sigh I moved away from the wall and towards the spring to wash my now bloodied knuckles. I deserved it, though I couldn’t let Emma see me this way. She’d start asking questions, and the last thing I wanted to do was lie to her – more than I already had, anyway. I’m such an idiot.

“Wallowing in self-pity isn’t like you Malakai…” The voice was soft, and I knew that, even if Emma were awake, she wouldn’t be able to hear it. The source of the voice shimmered to life in the water, replacing my reflection, so that a pair of soulless amber eyes looked up at me. The rest of her face formed after – all sharp angles and thin lines. “What’s got you so put out?”

“What do you think?”

“Poor, tortured soul – don’t tell me you’re having second thoughts.” She smirked up at me from her image in the pond. “I told you, bring me the girl and I’ll trade her for your sister. Even your curse will go away.” I fought to keep my eyes from glancing over at Emma. She couldn’t know the very girl in question lay only a few feet away.

Thoughts of my sister filled my mind, sparking a sense of shame. She’d never forgive me if I sacrificed another in her place.

“It’s ugly.” My face contorted in a look of disgust only a small child could muster. Crouching at the base of the tree, I fought the urge to poke the baby bird.

“It’s not ugly, Mal, it’s a new life.” My sister, already equipped with gloves, gently scooped the baby bird into one hand. “Ah. There’s the nest.”

I watched as she deftly climbed up the tree and placed the little bird back with its chirping siblings.

“Remember, Mal,” she climbed down from the tree and made her way over to me. Ruffling my hair, she continued, “all life is precious, okay?”

“Okay…”

“So quit disturbing bird nests and come inside for lunch.” The reprimand wasn’t as stern as it could have been, but she was serious.

“Go away.” I muttered under my breath, but I knew she could hear me.

“Whatever you say…you know I have all the time in the world.” Her presence disappeared.

I knew the witch wouldn’t hurt my sister – her death would break my curse. And she seemed to want Emma – badly. A new anger at the situation boiled in my chest, my fists clenching with new resolve. She wouldn’t get either of them, not if I had anything to do with it.

~~~

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the submissions on Saturday. If you’re a writer, consider submitting!

As always, think happy thoughts!

Image Credit: Image found via Google Image search on animalstime.com

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