Fly away, Ms. Freeman

"Why do you defy her?  Look what you did."

"Shut up, Jeffrey.  I don't want her to leave, but I always seem to mess up." Lincoln stated, watching the flying figure above him.   He looked at his friend and he sneered.  "You still have that crossbow?"

"Yeah.  What for?" Jeffrey asked.

"Because we're going to have some fun.  I don't want to lose her ever again."  Lincoln reached for his friend, receiving the weapon instantly.

"I don't think this is a good idea.  You'll hurt her."  Jeffrey commented, seeming neutral about the situation.

"I know, but luckily I know a few things about birds." Lincoln replied as he concentrated on aiming at the dove in the sky.  Then he shot and the beautiful creature fell from the sky.  He ran and caught it, looking into its eyes.  He began to feel bad, but knew it was for the best.  He took the dove inside and carefully removed the arrow from her wing.  She was then put in a large bird cage.  "There.   That should hold her."

Jeffrey took back his crossbow and sighed.  "That wasn't a good thing to do, but if it's your choice to take the consequences then I guess it's okay."  He started to polish the weapon as he sat on the ground with his pal.

"Yeah.  This way I'll be able to keep her forever and she has a lot of room to breathe and fly around." Lincoln smiled and looked at the figure lying on the floor of the cage.

"Aren't you gonna get it some food?" Jeffrey suggested.

"Oh yeah!" Lincoln gasped and ran to the kitchen.  He brought back some worms and water.  "Here."

"Where did you get those?"  Jeffrey asked.

"The fridge.  My dad keeps them for fishing."  Lincoln replied as he opened the cage.  He tried feeding the dove, but it wouldn't move or accept his offering.  He got angry and tried to force feed the creature, but it bit his finger.  He backed away and left it, accidentally forgetting to close the cage.

His friend smiled as his saw the bird get up and limp out of the cage and toward the open door.  Jeffrey grabbed the crossbow and aimed at the injured creature.  "Bye bye birdie." He muttered and shot, but the arrow was stopped by a large object blocking its path.  "Lincoln!" He screamed and dropped the crossbow.  He knelt by the injured boy. 

"Fly away," Lincoln started, "Ms. Freeman.  Fly."  Lincoln sighed his last and lay on the floor with his friend leaning over him as the dove spread its wings and lifted its glowing form into the air.

*

"Lincoln, dear.  Wake up." A figure knelt over the young boy.

He opened his eyes and realized Ms. Freeman was smiling down at him.  He began to cry and embraced her tightly.  She chuckled a little with shock and embraced him back. 

"What's all this about?"

"I...I had a nightmare."

"What was it about?"

"I dreamt you were a dove and you flew away.  You left me alone with dad."

She gasped and hugged him tighter, laying her head on his shoulder.  "Honey, I'd never.  I love you both.  I would never leave either of you."

"Thanks.....mom."