Through the Living Hope

Spark ran over then started walking as she got closer.

“We have another room request.” Jolane went up the stairs and prepped another room. Since July didn’t help her this time, she came back down with the key and gave it to Roy. After, she went back to waiting tables.

She watched them fall, then looked back at him. She turned as Dougella approached. “Well, hello there.”

“Don’t… don’t drink it. Please.”

“No…” “Sto-AH!” She yelped.

“N-no…. Elan….”

From their group farther away, Marewill looked at him. Her mouth was slightly open, and then she smiled slightly.

Her eyes closed again. She sipped in air. She wasn’t just crying in physical pain now.

“You could change your name, the way you look. You don’t have to be as they know you.”

“Be-hind!” she said, panicked.

“If you were, well, I doubt you would have made any allies in there. But you had Dougella, Connor, Tinker, Mare… They’re your allies. One might even say your friends. If you really brought death with you, that wouldn’t be the case.”

“You are what you decide you are. If that is how you see yourself, so be it. But I don’t think it is.”

Her eyes barely cracked open, and her arm reached for him.

“Eh-lan…”

“It does. ”It means you stood by my daughter when it would have been so much easier to leave her on her own. ”It means you defended your allies for no personal gain. “It means that even though it hurt, and it hurt like hell, you still kept going. ”It means you’re you. You didn’t let your circumstances define who you are. You chose for yourself. And it doesn’t have to mean anything else.”

She sighed. “I know… God I know… ”But you’re welcome to come with us. If there’s one thing about people who hurt, we know how to help each other more than those who haven’t felt that kind of hurt.”

“It’s fine. Just go get him.”

She put her hands on his shoulders. “Seven years ago, I lost my husband. I know everything about it.”

She had the same hair and build as her daughter, but her eyes were hazel rather than green. “Yes, I am.” She noted his dodging the question. “He was close to you, wasn’t he?”

“Why lock it when the tenant will come right up, get the key and unlock it anyway?”

The ride to Moongaze was a long one. Crocus had insisted Marewill rest on the way there. She’d resisted at first, but quickly gave in to sleep’s pull. Sandwiched between her mother and Tinker, she felt safer than she had for a long time. ~~~ Lily was asleep when Meron heard it approaching. She was pressed into him, both for safety and familiarity. “Lil, wake up.” He shook her gently. “Mmrgh…” Her eyes flitted open. Meron’s face lit up. It could only mean one thing. ~~~ ”Mare,” Crocus said quietly. She slowly woke up. She lifted her head from her mother’s shoulder. “What?” she said. Crocus smiled. “My goodness, you were tired… We’re here.” Marewill had to think for a moment. Then she understood. The carrier lurched on the ground, and she rose to her feet. The door dropped open, and she stepped into the world for the first time in too long. The moon and the stars hung dutifully in the sky, illuminating the two children below. They were in pajamas running right for the carrier. Some burst of energy propelled her forward, and it was barely any time at all before both of them were wrapped in their big sister’s arms. ”Willy!” Lily cried happily. She was sandwiched between her older siblings, clinging tightly to the thin jumpsuit. It had been too long since she’d felt that little grip, clinging tightly to her. She was physically crying too. It soaked into the material. Marewill couldn’t care less. The waterworks had gone to work with Meron as well. Finally, she was back. He wouldn’t have to lose her again. Marewill kissed their heads like crazy, making up for lost time. It would be a struggle to pry her off of those two. Lily felt a bulge in the fabric - a pocket. She reached in and pulled out the red lollipop. “You didn’t eat it?” Marewill laughed shallowly. “I couldn’t. I missed you too much.” Lily undid the wrapper and pushed it into her sister’s mouth. “No more.” Marewill smiled and pushed the stick to the side of her mouth. “Right. I don’t have to miss you any more.” Lily pressed her head against her sister’s chest, Meron coming in just behind. Marewill laid her head on top of theirs. She was back with her family. And she still had Tinker. And after the arena, she didn’t need anything more. Crocus saw the boy all alone. A heaviness hung over him. She kissed her daughter’s head. “I’ll be right back.” She walked over to Sharp and placed a tender hand on his shoulder. “You lost someone in there, didn’t you?”

“Just to make sure the room stays empty.”