Home

She'd been away so long, so very long. Despite her dampened emotions, there was a small smile creeping onto her face. She was finally going home, back to the only place she ever been truly happy.

Back to the boy…the man, now, who had made her feel truly alive for the first time in her life. She had missed him terribly. It had taken her years to understand why.

Weaving through the other pedestrians, she felt light enough to be made of air.

The faces blurred as she passed them. She hadn't realized how fast she was walking until she nearly barreled into someone.

She was surprised with herself, and slightly flustered. To know that the desire to see him was affecting her so strongly was strange. Strange, but at the same time it was exhilarating.

She couldn't remember ever being so eager to see someone. There had never been anyone for her to care for like this.

The ocean appeared suddenly over the hill, and a grin burst forth.

She was almost home.

Suddenly, her feet were running. She was speeding through the air, feet kicking up sand along the beach.

She knew now, she would never be leaving here again. This tower, this was her home. Her friends, her family, were here. Her heart belonged with his.

Raven took to the air, flying low above the ocean waves. A splash of nervousness burst into her heart. She found herself hoping they still remembered, still had a place for her in their hearts.

After all it took for her to understand why she left, and why she had to come back…she couldn't bear to be rejected.

The panic almost overtook her, until she saw the tiny figures in the distance.

There they were - her family. Jumping up and down happily, waving their arms as if she could somehow miss the gigantic tower standing tall in the sea.

The banner strung across the tower read, "Welcome Home Raven!"

Then she knew for certain – this was where she belonged. This was her home, and they were her family.

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I'm not sure yet why Raven was gone. Maybe I'll figure it out someday.