Very short chapter, I know. The next one will be longer, promise.
A little girl was playing by a stream. It was a windy day and the water sped dangerously downstream. But the girl didn't care that it was cold out. She ran through the grass, chasing a yellow and brown butterfly. The sun was partially blocked by heavy clouds, promising rain. The trees added to the pools of shadow and soon the girl lost sight of her prize. Still she continued merrily along, skipping to some joyous song inside her head. Her shiny dark curls bounced until she skidded to a stop. She noticed something on the rocks by the water. It was a baby bird, chirping helplessly. It was being splashed continuously by the frigid water and was growing weaker. Soon it would probably topple into the icy waves and be swept away.
The girl hurried over to the rocks. She stretched out her arm but couldn't reach the animal. Carefully, she climbed out onto the rocks. They were drenched and slippery but she managed to keep her balance. Her shoes and bottoms of her pants were soaked but she knelt and reached for the bird again. Still too far. As she straightened and attempted to jump to the next rock, a particularly high wave knocked into her. She struggled to stay steady but felt her feet start to slip...
Strong arms reached out of nowhere and caught her as she fell, pulling her back to safety.
"Daddy-!"
Craig jerked awake with a start.
A little girl was playing by a stream. It was a windy day and the water sped dangerously downstream. But the girl didn't care that it was cold out. She ran through the grass, chasing a yellow and brown butterfly. The sun was partially blocked by heavy clouds, promising rain. The trees added to the pools of shadow and soon the girl lost sight of her prize. Still she continued merrily along, skipping to some joyous song inside her head. Her shiny dark curls bounced until she skidded to a stop. She noticed something on the rocks by the water. It was a baby bird, chirping helplessly. It was being splashed continuously by the frigid water and was growing weaker. Soon it would probably topple into the icy waves and be swept away.
The girl hurried over to the rocks. She stretched out her arm but couldn't reach the animal. Carefully, she climbed out onto the rocks. They were drenched and slippery but she managed to keep her balance. Her shoes and bottoms of her pants were soaked but she knelt and reached for the bird again. Still too far. As she straightened and attempted to jump to the next rock, a particularly high wave knocked into her. She struggled to stay steady but felt her feet start to slip...
Strong arms reached out of nowhere and caught her as she fell, pulling her back to safety.
"Daddy-!"
Craig jerked awake with a start.
