3rd POV
Luz jolted awake. Her back and sleeping bag was drenched in sweat, tears rolled down her eyes as her breathing was even heavier than before. She brought her knees to her chest, hugging them close to her, barring her face into her arms. She started to ball her eyes out not caring who heard her crying. She's bottled up her feelings when it came to these vivid nightmares for four years and this is the one that broke her. She sobbed uncontrollably, unable to hide her pain any longer. Luz can't remember to last time she had a peaceful nights sleep. It been ages and she can't hide its affects anymore.
Her breathing became difficult and she was shaking like no tomorrow. She cried for what must've been hours. Next thing she knew the sun started to rise over the horizon. Liz dried her eyes of the stray tears and sniffled before standing up and packing her sleeping bag into her suite case once more. She took one more look at her surroundings once more before picking up her suite case and heading in the direction of the owl house.
Knowing Hooty would spoil the surprise of her arrival Luz went around to enter through the back way. She reached for the handle but stopped upon hear a conversation that seemed to be happening. "You need to eat Edalyn." Said the smooth voice that Luz can only assume was Lillith's. Luz barely heard the small and quiet "I'm not hungry" from Eda before Kings voice rang out and spoke up. "It's been days since you last had something Eda. You need to eat something. You can't keep living like this." He said. 'She hasn't eaten in days?' Luz thought worriedly. "I'm fine King." Eda insisted. "No your not! You've started to eat less and less over the past few years! That's not healthy Eda!" King protested before sighing. "We all miss Luz, Eda but you need to eat. Please. If not for me or Lillith then do it for Luz. Do it in the hopes of her return." King pleaded. Luz's eyes widened as she suddenly realized why Eda hasn't eaten. It's because she left.
Tears threatened to spill once more. She put her back to the door before sliding to the floor. 'I should've been here' Luz thought. "We all lost something that day Edalyn. Willow and Gus lost their best friend, I lost a good acquaintance, King lost a sister, Amity lost the on she loved most and you lost the one who felt like a daughter to you. But we can't just stop going about our normal lives. Luz would want us to be happy and healthy. She loved you Edalyn, and don't ever forget that." Lillith said. There were two major surprises for Luz there. For one Amity had loved Luz, from the sound of it, as more than just a friend. For two Eda saw her as a daughter. Just like Luz had seen Eda as a mother. Luz couldn't let this continue. Filled with a new found determination, she stood up and griped onto the door handle. She took a deep breath, tightening her grip on the handle. She waited for a little bit in case anyone had something to add. Which Eda did. "I can't help it Lilly. It's been four years. For all we know she forgot about us. For all we know she won't be coming back. For all we know she could-...she could be dead."
Her voice sounded so broken. It hurt Luz knowing that she caused her mother figure this pain and worry. Without a second thought Luz swung the door open, and tackled Eda into a hug on the ground. No one caught a good glimpse of Luz when this happened so at first they thought it was an intruder but once Eda caught a glimpse of the "intruders" hair, with it's unique streak of now grey fading to orange that they were born with, her eyes started to tear up. Lillith and King who stood in the background watching the event where still on edge, being unable to identify the person. Eda hesitated to return the hug, her arms shaking as she raised them, but once it fully sunk in that Luz had returned she couldn't help herself. Eda wrapped her arms around the still somewhat small human as they held each other tight. Eda sat up a little to make it so Luz and herself were comfortable. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I didn't visit at all." Luz said, her voice breaking as she cried. "It's ok, hun, it's ok" Eda said in a reassuring manor.
To Luz the nickname Hun seemed to roll off Eda's lips naturally and felt as though it was a fitting nickname. King looked at the human up and down somewhat confused. He's heard that voice before, he knows that he has. He just doesn't know how or when. Lillith looked on skeptically not once lowering her guard. It took a bit but once the two calmed down Luz stood up and helped her mentor up as well. Luz sniffed and wiped some tears off her face before turning to King. Kings eyes widened, he'd recognize that face anywhere. Luz opened her arms out as an invitation for King to jump in her arms. "Come here ya little goober." She said with a smile. That's what did it. That put the key in the lock confirming that this was his Boo boo buddy. Luz was the only one to call him a little goober. Without hesitation he jumped from the stool he was standing on by the table and into Luz's arms. "Luz!" He cried as he embraced her. "Your back!" Lillith took the information that this wasn't a intruder, but a friend. She stood to the side not wanting to ruin the touching reunion that unfolded before her. When Luz put King down she turned to Lillith and smiled. Lillith returned the smile but was surprised when Luz ran and hugged her. It wasn't with as much force as Eda but it was enough for Lillith to know that she had been missed as well.
After greeting Hooty again the residents of the owl house talked for hours on end before it became night time. Luz moved her stuff to her old room, laying the sleeping bag on the ground, and lied on the floor in the same way she had many years ago. King snuck in eventually and reclaimed his position at the end of the sleeping bag. Yes everything seemed perfect and well in the owl house now that the light of their home has now returned. How long will this happiness last however?
