Taylor laid his head on the window sill, watching the raven fly away. They had something in common, but they had grown closer because of their differences. Longingly, he watched her circle and soar on the warm breeze of spring. Why did the world have to be so unfair? Why was he chosen, out of billions of other people on earth, to be different? It could just as easily have been someone else. He should be able to run and jump, to play and work like the normal kids. But no, he had to have heart problems, causing him to not be able to participate with the other kids. He was different, and everyone knew it.

After Taylor ate, he took the steep flight of fifteen steps two at a time, but when he reached the top, he was already breathing hard. He clenched his fists in anger and punched his pillow. All he asked for was a chance to have some fun, to taste normality. But the world offered him nothing. Taylor had always taken this with quiet acceptance, but the thought of a new freedom had only made him angry, knowing it was impossible. Perhaps kids like him were like that for a reason, like it was their specific role in reality. Maybe they balanced out all of the perfections. So what did that make Taylor? He scowled. He sure knew what he was.

An imperfection.