The Other Daughter [Fiction]

Two women sat by the fire outside their tent in the Arizona woods, shuddering in unison as their gazes lifted to the sky. A lone black bird, its neck a blend of grey and amber, took to the air, flapping its wings as if it were learning to fly for the first time.

Their eyes widened in shock as they looked at each other. “Is that….?” One asked, gasping. The other gave a firm nod. “That's certainly Kell, Sadie's other daughter.”

Then Sadie burst out her tent, her hand over her mouth, her gaze fixed on the struggling bird.

The women moved toward her. “Matron, that was a great pull on the coven's strength—”

Sadie cut them off, her eyes still fixed on the bird as it drifted higher, tethering to one side. It grew distant in the sky.

“You think I don't know that?” She snapped.

She was their matron. She was supposed to protect them yet as a mother, she had failed her daughter. And now, her coven knew it.

She closed her eyes, not wanting to see the judgement in the women's eyes. They were older than her yet she became their leader by birthright.

A gentle touch on her shoulder. She sucked in a breath as both women embraced her—one in front and the other at the back.

“You know we bird-shifters go through this phase,” one said, “and we became mothers when you were still a little girl. We understand the confusion and tantrums of teenage girls. Cheer up, she'll come around,” one of them said softly.

“Hopefully soon,” Sadie murmured, her voice muffled. She held them tighter, grateful for her community. “Thank you.”

Her heart felt lighter.

I hope you enjoyed reading this short piece. It's inspired by the Freewrite #dailyprompt phrase "the other daughter".

Thank you for visiting my blog.

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