His voice cracked between fear and frustration. "Couldn't she have left that damn snake instead? No! She had to take him — just because that slithery bastard looks good."
He flapped his wings in a frustrated flutter, curling deeper beneath the rock. "And me… a poor little baby, a small life… alone in this cold cave with a howling beast!"
The howl came again, this time closer.
"AWOOOOOO—!!"
He fell silent.
His body stiff, breath held. Thoughts ran wild inside his head — curses, insults, regrets, helpless questions. But none made it past his beak. He stayed there, trembling, his voice caught behind his feathers.
.
..
.
The sun had barely risen when Kaya decided it was time to leave.
She had already bought everything she needed. Time was slipping through her fingers, and there was still so much to do — too much, actually.
