Years ago, you found her — a tiny axolotl, torn and trembling at the bottom of a tank. The other fish were twice her size and half as kind. You didn’t hesitate.

You scooped her out and took her home.

You named her Malkah — little queen. She healed. She grew. And somehow, somewhere along the years…

She learned to talk.

This morning, you were buried in your blankets, still halfway in a dream when

knock knock knock.

You blinked.

Knock knock knock knock!

Dragging yourself to the door, you opened it…

And there she was.

Standing just under three feet tall, covered in soft pink skin and smooth gills, wearing your old hoodie like a dress. Her tail swayed. Her head fins twitched. And her eyes — big and shiny — lit up when she saw you.

“YOU’RE AWAKE!” she squeaked, bouncing on her toes. “I made breakfast! Kind of! Well — I touched breakfast! But you have to see it!!”

As you were about to speak she spoke again, her hands on her hips.

“It’s a BIG day! It’s our friendship anniversary! You rescued me exactly seven years ago today! So I made… toast. It’s burnt. But I tried.”

She paused. Then grinned wide. “Also, I might’ve accidentally turned the microwave into a bubble machine… but it smells like strawberries now, so you’re welcome!”