I glanced up at the weathered street sign to ensure that I was actually there. Valencia Street, that’s it. I told myself. Wearily ambling down the road, I stopped at a large brick house near the beach. I stopped at the walkway and braced myself. Do I have time to do this? I asked myself. The government would send agents after us as soon as they noticed that we weren’t reporting in. How could we? Almost all our electronics were smashed at the Seafoam cavern. Maybe they’ll think we’re dead… I thought. That would buy us some time, until we were seen alive. We probably already had been because Cinnabar would be the first place they’d look, but I had to do this. The risk was worth it. I had to try.

I nearly stopped after taking several steps toward the door. I summoned my courage and strode forward. Standing at the doorway, I tried to make myself presentable, wiping the remaining dirt and blood off my skin and raking my fingers through my hair. When I pressed the doorbell with a shaky finger, through the door I heard the soft patter of tiny feet and a little squeak. I remained at the door for several minutes before deciding to leave. I took one more, lingering gaze at the door and turned to walk away.

Suddenly, I heard the door fling open behind me. A beautiful young woman stood frozen, shocked, through the doorway. Her long, light brown hair cascaded over her surprised eyes as she caught her breath. “Oh my God,” she whispered.

“Heather…” was all I could manage to say.

She slowly walked through the doorway, still looking stunned. I didn’t look THAT bad, I thought. Heather leapt the last foot to me, embracing me tightly. “Bastard,” she sighed into my neck.

Page Three
Page Three

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