She lands upon the top branch of the tallest tree beside a family of pink and orange birds. They open their curved yellow beaks and screech ‘Gaiiiiia’. She announces her intention to stay with them. They look at each other, their feathers ruffle and they cluck their thoughts among themselves. Then without further conference, they fly away, leaving the n***d branches shuddering in their wake.
Ophelia woke to the sound of a train rattling in the distance. Through the ceiling vents, she could see a thin slice of the soft mauve sky of early evening. It was almost as beautiful as the visions in her dream. She rolled over and saw Nina beside her, deep in sleep. Her young face looked soft and full and so innocent that, for a moment, Ophelia wanted to scoop her into her arms, as though she were a
