Maddi made it home in record time that day, running and taking every known shortcut. She dropped her bookbag and walked into the kitchen, to find that both of her parents were already home. “Mom? Dad? Why are you home so early?” Maddi inquired. They both looked up at her. Her mother had tears running down her face. “Baby, come here.” Her mother opened her arms to her youngest.
“What’s going on?” Maddi was scared. Something happened. Something really, really bad had happened.
“Maddi, we were informed earlier today that Dean had gotten caught in a crossfire and got shot. He’s in critical condition. The doctors don’t know if he will survive and if he does, he won’t be able to be in the army any more.” Maddi’s father told her gently.
Maddi backed up slowly. “No. No! He promised me he was going to okay! He promised he was going to come home!”
“Maddison-” Her mother started, but Maddi ran out of the house. She ran away from the warmth, sobbing as she clambered along. She ran to the river bank, slipping on the ice and falling hard on the cold surface. Maddi didn’t even try to push herself up, she just laid there on the ice, sobbing into the dark silence.
“You promised Dean!” Maddi screamed into the night. “You promised me! You can’t do this! You can’t!” Her voice cracked and she curled against the ice. Suddenly she became aware of the soft nuzzling against her arms and head.
Lifting her head, Maddi could just faintly make out the shapes of six small birds. She sat up completely now.
“I’m sorry guys, I didn’t bring you anything to eat.” Maddi whispered to her birds. They didn’t leave her though. Maddi stared down at them with disbelief. “Guys I don’t have any food for you.”
This time they hopped onto her legs and burrowed into her jacket pockets and wriggled into her sleeves. She giggled a little, and winced as her face became tight from the frozen tears on her face.
“Alright. Hold on.” Maddi stood up and began to walk home