In the tales her uncle and aunt used to tell Kodiak, days spun beautiful fairies and nights breathed monsters. After the frightening story, Aunt Inaya amended it by conjuring another tale, this time of whimsy and happiness, and carried by the moment of joy Aunt Inaya and Uncle Jantzen tucked in beside her, the three of them off crossing the threshold to dreamland hand in hand. That was the happiest day of her life, recalled Kodiak.
The apple orchard next to Mama Annistyn's house rapped against her temporary room's window. Their branches reminded her of a monster's claws.
"There is a monster in this house," Mummy had told her, words shaking. The wind-whisper racing past her lips was enough to soak Kodiak's heart in ice-cold fear, erasing all traces of courage she had walled around herself that first day of fleeing to the confines of Mummy's bedroom. "Get out, please, my love."
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THE DREAMER'S LAMENT
Short StoryIn the hearts of dreamers, lament will always linger. Sadness can bloom into the brightest, lambent shades, like the rain giving way to the phantom of a rainbow, like the promise of hope. But sorrow may also wind down a darker, colder path. Our hear...
