New Beginning 714

The watch turned into a magpie.

Misha blinked and rubbed her eyes. Maybe I have sand in my eyes. She shifted from her position behind the boulder to get a better look. A woman stood by a cluster of big rocks on a near-empty beach. Her dark hair scattered over an angular, scary face.

Mom's prettier, Misha concluded. She was smart enough not to say it out loud. Grownups usually didn't like it when she told them the truth.

But that fluffy, black thing the woman carried? Definitely a magpie. Honest ...