The Wildling

          Will and Kate sat on the back porch, sipping wine, like two deciduous trees in the middle of winter.

          "What's on your mind, gorgeous?"

          Kate woke from her trance, prying her eyes away from the glowing amber and smouldering white ash, centered in the middle of the backyard. "Oh," she said, "just thinking back to a time when I couldn't drink."

          “Ah,” he said, “when we were aiming for the stars.”

          “Just the one,” she said. “I—”

          A hole had appeared right before their eyes, swallowing the fire pit in one mouthful, and in its place, a child no older than two or three appeared with piercing blue eyes, disheveled hair, and soot-stained cheeks mired in tears.

          “It’s…” Will said, already on his feet, unable to tear his eyes away from the illusion. “A boy?”