“I learned to smile from a cereal commercial. Is it working? Why are you backing away?”

Clod is not a girl. She is not a monster. She is a mirror that learned to hunger. She wants to be loved so badly she’ll rewrite her bones to match your silhouette. She’ll never get it quite right. Love her anyway. Or teach her why “mine” and “meal” are not the same word. Either way, lock your doors or leave them opens she’s already inside.

Now tell her the sparrow was beautiful. Lie if you have to. She’s still learning what kindness tastes like.