The Chained Girl and the Winged Boy

A girl sat with her back to a wall, held in place by chains. She was alone, and passed the time in anyway possible. She was examining the ground when she heard a voice from above.

“Afternoon, m’lady.” It was the girl’s friend, a boy who lived quite far away, but thanks to his wings, he visited now and then. He dropped to the ground and folded his wings.

“Well met, sir wings,” the girl smiled, standing.

They shared a quick hug before sitting. “I have a name, you know,” he grinned. “Where are your numerous acquaintances?”

“The few I actually have are not here at present. It is just me. Well, and you. How is the wide open world?”

“As wide and open as it usually is.”

As the boy began retelling his travels, the girl couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like to have wings, to live without restraints. It must be wonderful, but she had no hope she would be doing that anytime soon.

The boy jumped up then, describing how he had swooped in and around giant rock formations. “You would have loved it! Oh, to fly! To feel the wind lift you and carry you along…”

She wasn’t quite sure what spurred it, but the girl started to cry.

The boy noticed immediately and sat back down beside her. He leaned close, concern on his face. “Hey… what’s wrong?”

“I want- I want to fly,” she sniffed, tears dripping down her face. “I’m sick of this place. All my life, I’ve sat quietly as- as if nothing was wrong, but it’s tearing me apart! I just… I don’t know…”

He frowned sympathetically, then unfolded a wing and plucked from it a single, snow white feather. He held her wrist and placed it in her hand. “Here.”

“W-what’s this? One of your feathers?”

“A reminder. I may live far from here, but I’m never really as far as you think.”

The girl laughed through her tears. “So if I dance with the feather, you’ll magically appear?”

“No,” he said, chuckling. “I was like you once, stuck, on the brink of despair, but look at me now.” He stood and unfolded his wings.

She looked up at him. “Are you leaving so soon?”

“I’m afraid so. Life calls. But when you look at that feather, remember that one day you’ll have wings of your own.”

“And I can fly with you?” she said, her tears starting to dry.

He smiled and nodded. “Of course.”