Sky blushed gold as Isla watched her chick waddle, kicking up puffs of sand. The wind tangled through her feathers, carrying the tiny peeps of her child. For a moment, she let herself believe.

Her chick flapped stubby wings, chasing the last drops of sunlight. Then, as the shadows stretched long and thin, it stumbled back, pressing into the warmth of Isla’s belly.

“Mama,” the chick whispered. “The ocean is so big. What if I’m not strong enough?”

Isla curled her flippers around her in a firm power hug. “You are, my love. Stronger than you know.”

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