Morning Colors

Nessa tucked a feather-streaked strand of auburn hair behind her ear as she walked through Maplecross Market. The morning sun painted the colorful fruit stands in golden light, and the familiar chatter of vendors filled the air.

"Fresh apples! Sweet as sunshine!" called Mrs. Hartwell from her corner stall.

Nessa smiled shyly and waved. She loved the market's cheerful energy, even if she preferred watching from the edges rather than joining the bustling crowds.

But something felt different today. Mr. Chen, who usually greeted everyone with booming laughter, barely looked up from his vegetable display. The flower seller sat hunched over her roses, frowning. Even the bread baker's usual happy humming had stopped.

Nessa paused near the fountain in the market's center. The water still sparkled, but fewer people lingered to chat. Conversations seemed shorter, smiles smaller.

She tilted her head, listening. The market's familiar warmth felt... muted somehow. Like someone had turned down the volume on happiness itself.

The Sparrow's Warning

Nessa decided to investigate further. She climbed the narrow stairs behind the bakery, leading to the rooftop where she often went to think.

From up there, she could see the entire market spread below like a patchwork quilt. But what caught her attention wasn't the colorful stalls—it was a small sparrow perched on the fountain's edge, chirping frantically.

"What's wrong, little one?" she whispered.

The sparrow looked directly at her, then flew in circles above the market square. Its movements seemed urgent, almost panicked. Other birds had gathered too—pigeons, finches, even a crow—all circling the same spot near the fountain.

Nessa felt her wings beginning to shimmer into existence. When animals acted this strangely, something was definitely wrong.

Suddenly, Mrs. Hartwell below started arguing with a customer over the price of apples. Mr. Chen snapped at a child who accidentally bumped his tomato display. The flower seller threw her wilted roses into the trash with an angry grunt.

The sparrow's chirping grew more frantic. The other birds scattered.

"Everyone's getting worse," Nessa murmured, watching the market's cheerful spirit drain away like water through a broken dam.