The Only Hope

Book 4: Chapter 16

Then

"And out of nowhere- this huge goat-gorilla comes charging around the trail's bend and is coming straight for us."

"Well, what happened?"

"We survived." I hit Kwon in the arm.

"Clearly, I want to know how you escaped!"

"My dad and I got a start from the beast and as we rounded a corner my dad found this ledge. We scrambled down onto it and a few heart pounding seconds later the beast came charging by- leaving us unharmed." He leaned back, in a cocky manner that I couldn't help but smile and laugh at.

"Oh wow, I swear Kwon, you have the coolest family in the world."

"Only some times, then other time I wish that they would all disappear in a thin puff of air so that way I could be alone- oh, I'm sorry Princess."

I looked down at the finger tracing over the rim of my tea, and shook my head. "Don't be." I looked back up at him, giving a small smile, "It's been years and I... I don't even remember him really. I try to remember my mom, but... sometimes it doesn't work." I looked back down at my tea cup. "But I mean, it's fine. I've had a good life thus far."

He gave a small, smile but it soon twisted down into a frown. "It's not okay though. It's not fair you that he could just drop you off like a bag of trash and leave you for others to pick up..."

I held a hand out, and caressed his face, "Kwon, relax. It's okay really."

"No- it's not and one day- you and me, we're going to find him." I pulled my hand away, and sat my tea cup on the picnic blanket.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean one day- you and me, let's take a trip. We can travel the globe and see everything. We can make the memories you weren't allowed to growing up... and then, after years of travel we'll track your birth father down... rub it all in his face. Show him that you didn't need him at all! Show him the greatness you achieved without him!"

"Kwon- I've known for years now that I don't need him. I learned that five years ago when I turned twelve. I finally got smart enough to realize I'm better off without him. I'm already becoming something great, and I don't care if he knows or not." He lifted his hands to my cheeks, and leaned in.

"You are already great though."

~~~

Biting my lip, I looked from the map in my hands to the distinct town. Looking back to my map, I flipped it around once, before flipping it back. Using one hand, I pulled a crumbled piece of paper from the front pocket of my backpack. Bending down, I laid the map on a rock, and attempted to press out some of the deep-set wrinkles in the small paper. Holding the paper up, I read the address, and glanced once more at the map. I grabbed the map, and folded it up before standing up. It looked like I had the right place. I stuffed the paper into my pocket, and started towards the town.

The town was alive; it was midafternoon- children were getting dismissed from classes and shop owners just reopened after their lunch break. I could tell though, right off the bat, this was a town yet to be touched by Kuvira. There were no banners, no soldiers, and people were actually smiling and laughing- talking out freely. I only wish I could have warned them all of the coming storm. But it wasn't in my place. It wasn't in Luna's place.

I walked the twisted streets of the town, slowing down when I spotted the name that was imprinted on my brain- Su-Wui Goods and Hardwar Store. I walked up to the store, tipping my head back to keep my eyes on the sign. This was it.