Leora Tanjuatco

The High Cost of Unicorns

Nikki lived in a barn, which wasn’t as bad as it sounded. Every morning she woke up in a small studio that comprised the barn’s second floor, and was surprised to find the room full of magic. On winter mornings, the light was soft and delicious, like butter. In the summer, it was a harsh gold that came crashing through the window and splintered into triangles on the floor. Sometimes it was so beautiful, she had to remind herself how to breathe. Today, the light moved slowly, meandering over the window sill and tiptoeing across the opposite wall.