The Tree Girl and Her Sparrow

by Saizo's Little Lady

Once upon a time there was a girl named Annalaya who lived in a tree. Her only friend and companion a sparrow named Galian. One day Annalaya finds herself wishing at a wishing stream that Galian could be human like her. Not knowing that her harmless wish could come true she's surprised to find her little sparrow is now a man.

13. Chapter 13

I have no real excuse why I'm just updating now... but here it is!

Chapter 13

"No!" Annalaya screamed after the woman but she was gone. The girl pulled against her chains that held fast. "She can't do this to us!"

"An-nalaya," Galian reached for her. "You'll hurt yourself."

"What if she keeps us locked away until the third day? You can't change back to a sparrow like this." She held up her wrist, making the chains jingle.

"We'll find a way out. I promise." Galian found her hand.

Annalaya pressed her head to his shoulder, careful of his wound. Tears began a track down her cheeks. "It is all my fault. If I hadn't made that wish we wouldn't be here. I'm so sorry, Galian."

"Annalaya, don't say that." His hand wiped the hair away that had stuck to her wet face.

"But it's true," Annalaya only cried harder. She didn't want to cry but she couldn't seem to stop.

"If you hadn't made that wish I wouldn't be able to do this," Galian stroked her hair. "If you hadn't made that wish I wouldn't be to-," he tilted Annalaya's face up and gave her a chaste kiss.

She didn't stop crying.

"If you hadn't made the wish I wouldn't have found out I'm in love with you. These are the feelings of a human, not of a sparrow. Sparrows can feel affection but they don't know this emotion. It is past caring and affection. If I die as a human it will have been worth it. I rather die a human than live the rest of my life as a sparrow. I love you, Annalaya."

Annalaya stared at him in shock and amazement. She could see it in his eyes he truly meant every word.

Speechless, she did the only thing she could do. She kissed him.

Annalaya felt wetness on her face that wasn't from her. She realized Galian was crying.

"How is your wound?" she tried to distract herself from her fear. She rose into a straight position.

"It's bleeding again, I'm afraid," his tone was lethargic.

Annalaya bit back more tears. She wouldn't cry anymore, she tried to promise herself.

If the wish didn't kill him his wound would. He wouldn't be among the living much longer if he kept bleeding. She was most afraid of infection setting in.

"I think I need to rest." Galian slumped and laid his head on her shoulder.

She realized he passed out. She squeezed her eyes shut. This couldn't be happening. It just couldn't be.

"Somebody help! Help!" Annalaya screamed.

All was silent. There was no one.

No one was coming to save them. Who wanted to? They all wanted them dead.

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