Purple feathers rained down around Casey. Some stuck to her shoulders. Others grazed her face and landed at her feet. It was perfectly quiet save the gentle strumming of a nearby harp.

The war was winding down and all the villagers were talking about it. It had been a long winter and rations were running low. Reginald had gone missing the previous spring. Laura had asked after him to every visitor who came to town. As spring approached, hearts filled with hope.

The line was long. She looked at her phone again. Fifteen minutes had passed. The couple at the front of the line was chatting up the cashier. She rolled her eyes, hoping someone noticed. Work had been a mess, and now she was late for dinner with the one person she wanted to see.

The pool glistened with promise. Gabi walked along the edge, scanning the scene. Today was a special day. Stan, the lifeguard she had her eye on, was back from vacation. She had spent the past two weeks planning a perfect scenario that was sure to turn his head.