Sweet Subterfuge

Larissa did not remember how long it had been since she last heard Aster’s voice. She kept thinking about it, to the point that int that she was

close to hallucinating. She could frequently hear Aster calling her “Mommy,” repeatedly in happiness, joy, depression, sadness – But she knew all too well that those were merely hallucinations.

However, it was different this time.

“Are you working? Aster’s voice held some confusion and tentativeness in it

Larissa stared at Kevan’s phone so hard that her vision actually blurred out, though she did not know if the staring was what caused it to happen.

“Yeah.” Kevan peeked at Larissa out of the comer of his eye, his tone gentle as it always was whenever he was chatting with Aster.

“Aw” Aster drew out the word with disappointment. “I call later then””

He video-called Kevan at this time almost every day, so naturally, he thought that Kevan was free right now,

need.” Kevan stopped him and took the initiative in the

me today!” Aster’s tone pitched upward, the pride obvious in

an eyebrow

was broken, and it was so pitiful. It could not even fly anymore! I brought it to the infirmary and got Dr. Mora to wrap its injuries. I even used some wood to build a little house for it! Ms. Judy

had just finished speaking when Kevan’s phone vibrated, surely having received the sent

heart was itching. She did her best to stretch her neck to look, but because she was too far away, she could only see a

you see it?” Aster

smile grew bigger. “Yes.” He gazed at the pictures Aster sent and did not look

it nice?” Aster’s voice held a subdued hint of

his deep voice oh, so wonderfully soft

Aster giggled again,

tad jealous.

that she

half an hour later, he found an excuse