AN: Hello there! This is my debut here on FF and I'm happy to start writing for you guys. Feel free to give me your feedback and I'll try to get back with you as quick as I can. Thanks for reading!

The soft wind quietly dances through my short dark brown hair. Being alone on the cliffs has always been one of my favorite things. I've always loved the crackle of the waves below as they hit the rocky shore, the gulls gawking at each other above me. Just me and my thoughts. Most of the time I wander up here to imagine what the world beyond Paradise was like, what Mom and Dad's world was like. They told me some things, but I knew they hid most of it from me. I could feel their heavy emotions being emitted into the atmosphere every time I asked them to tell me about their life before Paradise and myself. I kick some of the broken shells off the rock I'm sitting on and into the sea.

" Ingrid, where have you been?!" Aunt Angel soars above me and scares the crap out of me.

"Um. Here, I guess," I mumble.

"Your mom's been looking for you since this morning and you know how she gets when she can't find you. You could have at least left a note or told your dad," she scolds me.

I climb down from the cliffs and into the jungle. Aunt Angel lands in front of me, her wings still fully extended. They're beautiful, but not as stunning as my mother's.

"Max has always been the prettiest person I've ever met and the kindest," she blurts as if I had just said that out loud. Aunt Angel can read minds and always seems to be reading mine rather than the rest of the flocks. It's so annoying.

When we get to the tree houses, my mother's standing there waiting for us. She looks really pissed off.

"Dear god, Ing, you know not to wonder off without telling someone. Even if I was out you could have at least told one of your uncles They don't bite even though they might tell you they do," my mother says as she wraps herself around me. You'd think I just tried to run away.

We hear the loud beats of large wings as my Dad lands right next to us. He looks over at me with that I've-been-searching-the-island-again-for-you face. I sheepishly smile at him. He parts my hair and plants a kiss on my forehead.

"Don't freak out your Mom, again, kay?" he bluntly says and walks over to my mom.

My dad isn't the talkative type, unlike my Aunt Nudge who's a complete motor-mouth. I can't be in a room with her for longer than an hour without wanting to rip my hair out. Anyway, my dad says what needs to be said and then moves on which I will always admire. He's tall and I have his dark hair which is long on him. He's both my mother and myself's best friend. We both tell him anything that's on our minds and he listens and takes it all in. Both of my parents hold me when I have nightmares and both take care of me when I'm sick. I've never seen two people so inseparable and in-love, granted, there are very few couples here. They are also both the strongest people I know and are the leaders of Paradise.

"It's getting late, Ingrid. Uncle Iggy is making dinner tonight for us," my mother takes my hand and the three of us head to our treehouse. Aunt Angel says she'll meet up with us later. It amazes me how both her and Iggy navigate this place so well, despite being blind. My family never ceases to amaze me.

Our treehouse is cozy and has two bedrooms; my parents and mine. My room has a small window that looks out to one of the many waterfalls on the island. My parents thought the humming of the falls would help me sleep when I was a baby and it did help. I quickly change into a t-shirt and cut-offs and make my way to the living room/dining room. The carved table is set with six spots. I wonder why Uncle Gazzy isn't coming. I sit down in my seat and in comes Uncle Iggy with containers full of amazing smelling food. God, I love his cooking. My mom can't cook to save her life. I giggle at the thought of her helping Uncle Iggy in the kitchen.

"I hope you're not laughing at me," Uncle Iggy says jokingly.

Everyone's here except Angel, Nudge, and Gazzy. My dad starts serving everyone and then we hear the door open and in comes Aunt Angel. I'm still wondering why Uncle Gazzy's place isn't set.

"Gazzy's with Ramona," Aunt Angel answers my question before I even have to say it. I sigh. I was hoping to have a laugh with him tonight. Uncle Gazzy is hilarious.

"I'm here!" shouts the dramatic voice of my Aunt Nudge. She wraps her arms around me and gives me an awkward hug.

"So glad you're ok, Ingrid! You worried both your mom and I!" she spouts out as she takes her seat at the table.

Now, we can finally eat. Tonight, Uncle Iggy made his homemade pasta with sauce. I'm trying not to gobble it up like an animal but it's tempting. My mom's giving me the "Max stare". She used to do that even to my uncles and aunts when they were younger. I make sure to eat like a normal person which is kind of an oxymoron in this family, if you know what I mean.

"So did you fly up to the cliffs, Ing?" Iggy blurts to break the ice.

I lightly fiddle with the metal infused to my back.