THE PHEONIX

olves, witches, and fairies were just storie

t's what I us

looked perfect. But behind the closed doors of our mansions, I was alone. My parents were alway

wirling patterns like ink in water. It burned whenever I got to

one else did, or when the pain became unbearable. Each time, my paren

quiet, and miles from the nearest town. As we pulled up the long driveway, I glanced a

la. I sighed. "I wish I could make a real friend this

I hea

'll make a g

fr

a. "Did... you

asing: "Of course birds don

, heart poundin

en something stepped into view sm

fa

had sharp features, delicate wings

ing dwarf with a tiny axe and

zy," I whispere

re not crazy, Kiva. You

y m

"We thought you w

y cut in, covering his mou

laughed. For the f

muttering about a mist

you. In magic. Please

hen turned back. "Y

dwarf. "And I'll

ted. "F

that, everyt

cursed. Maybe I

was just