Even in times of turmoil, there are humans that still find a way to enjoy themselves, finding seclusion from the pains of the world, just for a short time. Do they not see that this temporary haven is merely a distraction? Time continues to pass around them, and their struggles never fade. They merely blind themselves from the truth with empty fantasy.

What makes these moments so appealing that they deter their worries, just for a while? And do they mean anything in the end when they have to return to reality?

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SQWEE! SQWEEK! SCRAW!

“I know this isn’t pleasant, but you’ve got to stay still,” I tried to reason with the Grimm as I wrapped a bandage around it’s injured wing. A library book opened to a detailed description of immobilizing and binding the wing of medium-sized birds was open on the floor, a step-by-step picture accompanying it on the adjacent page. I found the book in the Biology/ Animal Anatomy section of the library and snatched some supplies from a first-aid kit from the manor. I was following the steps as best as I could, but a flailing Grimm made that rather difficult.

SKREE! SKREE!

Sweat made my hair stick to my forehead as I gave a final pull and tied the ends of the bandage together. “There! You’re done!”

I scooted back and watched as the Grimm studied the brace. It hadn’t been easy to find out where I should put the bandage on exactly since the Grimm’s injury didn’t swell or bruise like depicted by the birds in the book; instead, I looked at pictures of doves from a birdwatching book I had and made an assumption. Now, the wing was immobilized by the bandage and perfectly straight. The Grimm pecked at the bandage a couple of times but ultimately left it alone.

I sighed since I was worried about the creature undoing all of my work. The Grimm settled back in its basket as I returned the book to my backpack. I had written down all the information I needed, so I was going to turn it back into the library the next day. Night had fallen before I was able to tend to the Grimm, and it was even later now.

I swept a hodgepodge of nuts, seeds, and dead insects into the hearth. I had tried to feed them to the Grimm, but I’d already known that they aren't known to eat. Still, I found it was a safe call. The Grimm had only poked at what I brought but didn’t eat. I’ll try some flowers the next day just to be sure it didn’t feed on nectar.

I settled back on my makeshift bed and tried to fall asleep once more. In the middle of the night, I opened my eyes from a dreamless slumber and saw that the Grimm had fallen asleep as well, it’s feathers rising and falling gently. I couldn’t help but smile as I closed my eyes.

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Ugh! I hate homework! Why do teachers have to torture us like this?

Sitting against the wall, I pushed my textbook onto the floor, rubbing my eyes that had been aching for hours. I have this history project over the Schnee Dust Company due tomorrow, but I’m still not done! After school and chores, I’d set to finishing my work, but I’d barely done a single thing! I’ve tried to work on it, and each time I did, I’d get distracted by Enyo or Deino! My side is still stinging…

Outside the cracked window, stars remained in the sky long after sundown. I couldn’t bear to check the time to see how late it was. The answer would kill me.

With a sigh, I pulled my book onto my lap again and started reading the passage again. And then again. Again, tired eyes skimming purposelessly over meaningless words. My eyelids kept trying to fall, but I forced them to stay open. As I read the passage again, I broke.

I couldn’t do it… I’m so tired… Why can’t I get this done? Why am I so pathetic? Why… Why am I so useless?

Pages flapping wildly, the book slammed against the opposite wall, landing with a heavy thud and crinkle of paper. The spike of rage gone, tears swam in my vision. They fell without resistance, dripping onto my clothes and the floor. I buried my head in my hands, willing the world to disappear so that I could sleep. I just want to sleep…

As my sobs began to run dry, I heard it: a rustle of paper. Swallowing, I looked up. The Grimm had left its basket and made its way over to my book. Now, it was using its head to push the heavy textbook towards me. When he got near, the Grimm hopped onto my lap, pecking at my wrist. I picked up the book. When all I did was hold it in the hands, the Grimm nudge it with its slim foot. I flipped back to the page I had been on, the paper now crumpled in several places.

The Grimm hopped onto the open pages and bent until its peak rested at the beginning of the passage. I stared at his peculiar behavior, earning me an annoyed chirp. Slowly, I started reading the passage again, out loud this time. As I read, the bird shuffled so that his beak followed the words. I was able to comprehend the sentences, meaning slowly taking shape.

As the sun began to rise to replace the moon, I was thankfully asleep, the finished project safely saved on my Scroll.

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It hurts. Everything hurts. As I trudged back to my room from the manor, my body groaned as every cell seemed to be burning. I clutched my ribs where a boot had landed a sturdy kick. My scalp prickled maddeningly where the strands of my hair had been strained to their limit. Already, ugly purple was beginning to appear on my arms alongside angry red splotches.

I turned the knob, hissing as a jolt of pain shot from my ribcage. As I entered, I carefully shut the door. The moment it was closed, I sank to the floor, wincing and yelling with each fresh batch of agony. Finally, I was sitting on the floor. Crying from the pain, I pulled my legs to my chest, resting my forehead on my knees. Staying completely still so that the pain couldn’t worsen, I stayed in this position as I had many other days.

Something tugged at my shoelaces. Doing my best to stay in one position, I met the Grimm’s glossy, crimson eyes. He cocked his head to both sides as we stared at each other. With his wing still bandaged, the Grimm hopped to my side, onto my hip, and squeezed itself into the small space of my stomach that wasn’t pressed against my legs. He pecked and pulled at my shirt a couple of times before settling down on me.

For the first time that day, I smiled. “Thanks, buddy. Thanks.” It was all I had to say. The Grimm cocked its head one more time and nestled on my stomach, eyes closing. After listening to the rise and fall of his breathing, I slipped off a short time later, escaping the pain. For now.