The Sentinels Stargazer

She laughed.

Thank god…

Swordfish visibly sagged as relief washed over him. The woman seemed like she was good-natured enough. Realizing this was something of a shock for him as well. She had lost one of her legs and yet she was willing to laugh about it, to engage in conversation with a bright expression and kindness that layered each word she spoke.

A strange sense of envy filled him, spreading through like thick fog off the water.

How could she be so normal? What had she done to recover from her loss? And then, he wondered why he could not do the same.

Bridget. Suits ya. As much as a name could. The bright red on her face was striking and captivating.

I’m Shardik. I used to live out here. Now I’m helpin’ some- some deranged lunatic of a man who can scarcely help himself. Helpin’ a friend, I guess. Ya hungry? I got some fish back there. The young man gestured toward the beach. It seemed she was far from home and though he did not do it intentionally, he worried that she might not be that good at catching her own meals.