The Tired Bird Rests

In the end, Sienna agreed to go.

Even though she hated Zayden, she could not refuse because the pilot visiting tonight was someone she had always admired.

When they arrived at the venue, it was packed to the brim.

Zayden and Riley came too. Sienna paid no attention to their interactions. Her eyes stayed fixed on the show.

As the performance neared its end, she got up to leave.

Suddenly, a model plane overhead began to shudder. It swerved off course and shot toward the crowd.

It was heading straight for Sienna and Riley.

“The plane’s out of control!”

Screams erupted all around. The audience scattered in panic.

But Sienna and Riley stayed frozen.

People pressed in on all sides. They could not take a single step.

The crashing plane drew closer and closer. Riley burst into tears. “What do we do? What do we do? I don’t want to die…”

Sienna’s palms were sweaty. She was terrified, too. But fear would not save them. She forced herself to stay calm.

At last, the people around them began to move.

Sienna seized her chance and ran toward the exit. But the plane was still falling.

Boom!

A deafening crash split the air.

The force of the impact sent Sienna and Riley flying to the ground.

Pain ripped through her body.

When Sienna opened her eyes, she saw jagged pieces of the wing that had impaled itself deep into her and Riley’s lower legs.

“Riley!”

Through the ringing in her ears, she heard Zayden’s voice.

She used every ounce of her strength to turn to look. Zayden was fighting his way through the fleeing crowd to reach them.

Panic, urgency, and fear shone in his face.

Even his perfectly styled hair was a wild mess.

He finally reached them. Before Sienna could say a word, Riley’s sobs filled the air.

“Zayden, it hurts so much! Please save me!”

Zayden did not hesitate for a moment. He did not even glance at Sienna.

Between the two of them, he chose Riley without hesitation.

As he lifted Riley into his arms and turned to leave, instinct forced Sienna to shout out his name.

“Zayden!”

He turned back and saw her lying there in puddles of her blood.

But Riley kept crying.

His face twisted with worry. In the end, he said carelessly, “Wait here. Rescue will be here soon.”

Then, he disappeared from Sienna’s sight without looking back.

Exhausted and in pain, Sienna closed her eyes.

…

At Sea City Central Hospital, Sienna jolted awake.

She tried to move her legs but felt nothing.

When she looked down, she saw both her feet encased in heavy casts.

“You’re awake. Just rest for now. You’re still very weak after donating your bone marrow to Riley.”

Zayden’s words took the air out of her gut.

Sienna’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What bone marrow?”

Zayden explained casually, as if he were telling her about the weather. “Riley’s leg was pierced through. She needed a bone marrow transplant right away. Time was tight, so I used yours. Don’t worry. The doctor said it will grow back. It’ll just take a few years.”

He made it sound so normal and easy.

Sienna felt like her world had collapsed.

“You’re saying… you took the marrow from me and gave it to Riley?”

“Yes. But don’t worry. I’ll make it up to you. Haven’t you always wanted to go out for a barbecue? I promise, after Riley’s surgery is over, I’ll take you. You love spicy barbecue, don’t you?”

Zayden made it sound like he was doing her a favor, as if he had no other option. That was the last straw for Sienna. Her composure shattered.

She lifted her hand and slapped him hard across the face.

The slap rang out in the silent hospital room. Even Zayden’s assistant froze in shock.

He had never seen anyone dare hit Zayden before.

“Who gave you the right to decide for me?! Do you even know what happens to someone without a bone marrow?! Riley was hurt, but so was I! Why did you have to take what belongs to me?! Have you lost all your humanity?!”

Seeing Sienna completely lose control, Zayden, for the first time ever, did not get angry. Instead, he reached out and pulled her into his arms. “Calm down.”

“Don’t touch me!”

Sienna shoved him away, like he was something disgusting.

Sienna’s eyes were red in anger, and she trembled. She pounded her fists against his chest again and again. “Give it back! Give me back my marrow…”

Without sufficient marrow, her bones would become brittle, leaving her no different from a cripple.

How could a cripple ever fly?

She could already see what her future would become. Tears streamed down her face.

Zayden looked at her. She was a mess. She seemed fragile and defeated in his arms. For the first time, he felt a flicker of pity, maybe even sorrow.

A memory came to him of Sienna smiling with bright, innocent eyes.

Zayden’s throat felt tight. He was about to comfort her when a loud knock sounded at the door. It was Riley’s attending doctor. “Mr. Scott, Ms. Scott is awake.”

The moment he heard that Riley was awake, Zayden let go of Sienna without a second thought and walked quickly toward the door.

Before leaving, he turned back to her. “Get some rest. When you’re feeling better, we’ll have a barbecue together.”

With that, he left the room.

As soon as he disappeared from sight, Sienna buried her face in the blanket and broke down in tears.