The Flightless

Heart of Ice

"Momma!"

"Hi, my babiest!" I sweep the almost four-year-old into my arms. She giggles in my embrace, and my hands tremble at the sweet sound of it.

I look her over carefully. Dinah is unharmed, happy, rested, and even clean. She even carries her favorite blanket.

Our visitation room is covered with toys, books, and tables for us to play. Several agents are posted around the room, I suppose to ensure I don't run off with her.

"I miss you so much, pretty bird. Know who else misses you?"

My baby glances up from her train track. "Who?"

"Your daddy." A knowing grim comes upon my lips.

She gasps in the same, exaggerated expression that her father would. "He does?"

"He does," I laugh. "I promise, we'll go to see him very soon. Okay?"

Dinah claps, and her dark curls bounce with her.

We spend the afternoon reading books and playing together as if nothing's wrong. To her, nothing should be wrong. However, I can't keep my worries at bay.

"Pretty bird?"

"Yes, Momma?"

"Where do you sleep?"

My child thinks hard for a minute before lighting up. "A bed!"

"That's right," I praise. "Is your bed comfy? Is it cozy?"

She nods so hard that I think she may give herself whiplash. "Yes."

"And what do you eat?"

"Food!"

"Good food?" I ask. "Are you eating yummy food every day?"

Again, Dinah answers with the same excitement. "Yes, Momma."

"Okay, I have one more question then we can play. Who's taking care of you? Do you know their name?"

"S-S—"

"Susie," a woman says from the door.

I jump into position, prepared to defend my daughter at all costs. A pregnant woman stands at the entrance. Deadshot stands behind her.

"Susie Lawton." She extends her hand to me. "Little Dinah and I have been roomed together for the time being. You must be Sera."

My heart softens. This must be Floyd's wife, and she must be due at any moment.

I take her hand. "I am. You've been taking care of my daughter?"

Her smile is gentle as she drapes a hand across her growing belly. "It's good practice for the real thing. Mother-to-Mother, allow me to assure you that your baby is being taken care of. It must be so heartwrenching out there in the word, not knowing if she's safe."

She voices my concern like we're old friends. The sweetest comfort washes over me. I trust her. She's a prisoner here, just like the rest of us.

"Thank you." I pull her into an embrace, not minding any manners. After I've realized my rash action, I release her and sheepishly rub the back of my neck. "Sorry, I just— You don't know how good it is to hear that."

"It's okay, Sera. I can't imagine how hard it's been for you."

It's been harder than I can even voice, but perhaps she knows that. Perhaps she sees just how much her husband is aching.

"It's certainly been an unpleasant road, but I have a feeling we're nearing the end of it."

Agent Waller peeks in. "This is your five-minute warning, Cardinal and Deadshot. Join us in the meeting room."