Coming Home

Coming Home ~ Chapter 3

I continue loosening the dirt around the frame while it charges, and I am practically jumping up and down. I can finally leave. Run away. I'm free.

I'm not really sure if I'm more excited to see my family or more excited to finally tell my parents what I've been thinking about them all this time.

I shake my head to clear my thoughts and check on the power. It is at full, and I can feel another grin forming on my face. I swing myself on the bike, put the helmet on, and rev the engine.

Hitting the acceleration with full force, I take off down the main road out of the city, leaving a trail of dust whirling behind me.

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I'm around ten miles from the nearest town when the bike gives the warning signal on power. The sun had set an hour ago, and I'm running on the energy reserve. I push the engine, and I run out of power just as I pull into the town. Thankfully, there is an inn just inside the entrance.

I hook my bike on the rack and lock it in, making sure it will be in the sun in the morning. Then, I walk around to the front of the inn, tentatively pushing the door open.

The main lobby is made of oak, and there are several small polished table sets for eating, and at the front counter is an elderly woman wearing a light blue dress.

"Hello." I say softly, waving a little. "How much is one room?" I ask her. The woman smiles in return.

"Seven notes for one night." She responds, her voice warm. I reach around to my backpack, pulling the small bag of money out. The thin papers still feel foreign in my fingers, even though I have been using money for a year. We would steal a lot in the Guild, and what we didn't steal we paid for with fakes. I slide the papers across the counter, and the woman picks them up. "I'm Helen, by the way. I own the place."

I smile and nod. "I'm Arika." I answer. Helen starts to talk about how long she has owned the place while she looks for the room key, causing me to zone out. I only come back when she asks me: "So, Arika, where are you going?"

"Oh," I reply, startled. "Blackshore. It's about ten thousand miles from here."

"Really. I heard that's one of the only cities in the country that doesn't allow Elementals. That, and Icewood. Kind of a black mark of the country in my opinion."

"Figures." I mutter. "Uh, family. And Icewood allows Elementals now." I say, louder.

"Really?" Helen asks, surprised. She turns around, my key in hand. "You can tell me more tomorrow, dear. You look exhausted, and should get some sleep."

I nod in appreciation, and take the key. I jog up the stairs, feeling surprisingly awake considering someone just told me to get some sleep. Counting the doors, I slide the key into the keyhole of door number nine, and open the door to my room for the night.

I pull out my map before going to sleep, checking to see which town I'm in. "Maple Beach." I mutter. My eyes start to droop as an unexpected wave of exhaustion washes over me. Sleepily, I fold up the map, and crash on the bed in the room. I fall asleep almost immediately.