Now that they had both decided that Dream had been right, Sparrow was riding on Dream's shoulder.
Funny, thought Sparrow. I'm not usually this trusting of a person. Dream was moving along at a quick pace, only stopping at traffic lights. Sparrow closed her eyes to rest, and told Dream,
"You know what to do if I....really fall asleep." Dream nodded curtly and continued.
"Almost here!" Whispered Dream excitedly, just as a callused hand grabbed his shoulder roughly.
"Young man, you are quite un-aloud to be carrying wildlife." At first Dream was confused, then the Park Ranger said in an even gruffer (and slightly irritated) voice, "I'm afraid you'll have to put down the bird, son."
Dream remembered Sparrow. "Oh....um, she- it- ....has a hurt.....wing, I was just trying to take her back to the forest-" he gestured largely at the humongous forest, looming ahead of them just across the street. "-and maybe make a nest for her- it?" The Park ranger looked skeptical. He scratched his head for a moment, then glanced at Sparrow for only the second time.
"I can take the bird, boy. You run home."
"It's ok, I know my way around the forest..
"I know it better- I'm a Park ranger, you know." He puffed up his chest, and the sunlight hit a golden badge pinned to his chest.
"No, really, I come here all the time.... Maybe even more than you!" He hadn't meant to sound so haughty, it just came out. The ranger narrowed his beady eyes.
"I don't like your attitude, kid. Gimme the bird and get lost, or I'll call your parents. Now scram."
Dream grinned. "Okay, I will!" The Park ranger held out his hand in triumph, only to hear Dream's feet running away.
Dream couldn't keep the smile off his face. He grinned harder and snickered at the thought of the Park ranger. He brushed his sandy, yellowish hair away from his face, suddenly noticing Sparrow was digging a little too hard into his arm.
"That was close..." She muttered. "Nice going, By the way- I think we really got him!"
"We're here- close your eyes."
Sparrow's little talons sank harder into Dream's shoulder.
YOU ARE READING
The Summer of Sparrow and Dream
RandomA disease is sweeping the peaceful town Drolr, causing its victims to sleep for weeks on end, eventually dying of starvation. There is no cure. Dream, a thirteen year old boy, has caught it. He knows his life will come to an end sooner or later, bu...
