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Hanna's bedroom in Aaru.

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I looked at my reflection in the mirror as I sat in my room. I scoffed to myself.

Was I even to call it my room?

This wasn't where I belonged. Maya made that emphatically clear. My hair was wet, seeing as I just had a bath and I dabbed at it lightly with a towel. I was currently wearing silk pyjamas from Ayla.

She had given them to me, in the morning, telling me that the material had just been exported in from the East, a mere 2 weeks ago. I had chosen them, burgundy red, my favourite colour.

I looked closer at my reflection, tracing a tanned hand along the wound on my face. It wasn't a scar, but the skin was red and extremely tender. I winced when I grazed over it too hard and I sat down on on the vanity chair, brushing through my hair.

A knock resounded at the door, making me jump in my seat.

"Hanna, dinners ready! Come eat with us!" Arun's light voice rang out from behind the door and I sighed deeply.

Having to see everyone after what had happened was not something I wanted to do. I don't know, if I was making a big deal out of this or not, but I was too embarrassed to face everyone, especially Maya.

I cleared my throat, putting the brush down.
"No, thanks, Arun. I'm not hungry." I said quietly, but Arun had heard and he sighed deeply, his fingers drumming against the door.

"You have to come; you'll love what we have. It's like a feast down there!" He let out, his soft voice sounding as though he's going to break out in song. I smiled at his words before shaking my head and cursing when I realised that the door was shut.

I cleared my throat yet again.
"No, thanks, maybe another time." I said politely and I heard the sound of another sigh.

"Very well, Ma'as-salāma, Hanna." He said wilfully and then I heard the sound of his footsteps moving away and down the corridor.

I breathed in deeply. Today had set off a turmoil of emotions within me.

Everything that had happened and everything I had learnt, I just couldn't take it anymore. I shook my head, trying to put some order into my thoughts. I didn't know what to do- should I leave or should I stay? I had so much things I wanted to do with my life when I left home.

I imagined myself sat snugly behind a desk, at Braxton Publishing. I imagined coming back home to a husband who'd greet me with a big hug and, most of all, I imagined actually being genuinely happy.

Being out of that situation now, I was able to look at my life through a clear view. My life had been miserable. I don't think I'd be able to handle another day through the lifeless routine I had set up for myself; I don't think I'll be able to continue the facade. But, going through all that was necessary for getting what I wanted. I wanted that career; it was my dream career.

But, if Negus was right then I couldn't go back. It was too dangerous. So, what was I supposed to do? Stay here and be mocked by Maya? Remain at a stand-point and be someone they expected me to be- someone I knew I wasn't. I shook my head again. I needed to go back or I needed to talk to someone there. I needed to-

My phone!

Hurriedly, I scrambled off the chair and towards the wardrobe, retrieving the backpack I had taken with me. I unzipped it, scurrying through the contents until my hand felt the desired object.

Smiling widely, I threw my bag back before sitting back onto the bed, grinning when it lit up. Unlocking it, I felt a familiar sense of nostalgia looking at the object, despite it only been around 2 days since I had touched it.

Those 2 days had felt like an eternity.

I scrolled through my contacts, clicking on the desired person. I almost screamed in excitement when the familiar dialling tone resonated through the room. I waited with baited breath, my heart pounding against my chest.

"Hello?" Marie's croaky voice came from the end and I looked at the time- 10:15pm. Marie was always one to have an early night in. I let go of the breath I was holding.

"Marie." I greeted, feeling taken back at how choked my voice was. I heard the sound of shuffling for a second and I waited, drumming my fingers against my leg, my breathing uneven.

Finally, her voice spoke, sounding more like herself.
"Hanna, where have you been?! It's been 2 days and I've called you a hundred times!" She scolded and I hesitated, not knowing what to say.

I stuttered around with my words for a second, thinking of what to say, but Marie interrupted, her voice rushed.

"Never mind that right now. I literally went through hell and back for you." She said sternly and I raised an eyebrow, feeling confused.

"What? How?" I questioned, crossing my legs as I sat.

Marie tutted at my words before clearing her throat.
"When you wouldn't answer your call, I automatically thought Debra took it from you. You didn't even come in! So, I used your login to email Miss. Samuels that you're incredibly sick, so she extended the deadline! You have 3 more days." Marie let out and I grimaced at the thought of the assignment.

I had completely forgotten about it and I panicked, thinking about how I was going to do it. I sighed, rubbing my temples. The feeling of a headache coming stronger than ever.

Marie tutted into the silence.
"Hello?! Earth to Hanna?!" She exclaimed and I sighed, feeling overwhelmed by the sound of her voice. Warm tears prickled at my eyes and I sobbed silently.

Marie sighed again, her voice more gentle this time, but the stern tone was clear.
"So what then? You want to fail the year? Is that it? No job then?" She questioned harshly and I sobbed again to myself, covering my mouth in a bid to conceal the noise.

I couldn't tell Marie where I was and nor could I tell her why I couldn't come back. But, needless to say, she wasn't making me feel better about it and I huffed loudly, the warm tears cascading down my face.
"You're not making me feel better, Marie. I'm in a really tough place right now." I sobbed into the phone, cursing at how pathetic I sounded and then I heard further shuffling down the phone as if she was sitting up.

"Me? I'm not making you feel better? You don't realise what I've been through for you, not even a thank you." She spat out and I shook my head, wanting to say something to defend myself, but no words came.

She spoke again and I could tell my her finalising tone that it was all she had left to say.
"Well, clearly, you don't care about that or about your career or your job. So, I'll just leave you to whatever fun you're having with god-knows who! You need to think about growing up, Hanna." She said and, with that, she hung the phone up, the dialling tone ringing through the room.

I dropped the phone down, thinking about what she said and I could find no fault in it.

She was right.

If she was in my position, she would have stomped straight back home, she would have sucked it up and she would have amended everything. She would have endured the job and the family and she would have done the coursework. She would get the dream job.

She wouldn't have even made it to this point, sitting brushing my hair using someone else's vanity set. She would have marched back to cave and-

The cave!

I wiped my tears, standing abruptly from the bed. I knew where the cave was; Emut had guided me here and I had remembered the way, just in case. It was only 5 minutes to the West.

I stood up, putting some shoes on and grabbing my phone. Making my way to the door, I crept quietly through the hallway and down the stairs. I peered cautiously around the area, but no one was in sight, so I continued down the courtyard and heaved the door open before walking out.

Once I left the door, there was no restraints stopping me and I ran as fast as my legs could carry me to the cave.

If I could get through, I would apologise to everybody. Debra, Richard and Sierra about the night we argued. I'd apologise to Marie for what happened and what she went through because of me and I'd apologise to Steve for missing work.

But, most of all, I'd focus and work harder on my goal. I went astray for a while and I forgot in the midst of all this chaos, but I had been duly reminded.

I sighed in relief when the oasis came into sight, my legs aching with exhaustion. I stopped running then, walking through slowly. This was where Emut had picked me up from the first day and that seemed like years ago.

I looked around cautiously, thinking back to when Emut had mentioned the animals that came about at night and I hurried along the path, halting when the cave came into view.

Walking up to it slowly, I raised my hand. All I had to do was forget what happened in the last 2 days and-

"Leaving so soon?" The voice came from behind and I looked to see Demir laying on the branch of a tree, his eyes closed and his hands behind his head.

I placed a hand against my heart, looking between both the cave and Demir.
"You scared me." Was all I said, eyeing him cautiously. He sat up suddenly, opening his eyes and I marvelled at how they glistened against the moonlight.

He leaned forward, resting an elbow against his knee, looking down at me.
"You wanted to leave." He said, more like a statement than a question and I nodded at his words. At this, he leaned back against the tree, a smirk on his face.
"Well, don't let me stop you." He said before closing his eyes again and I rolled my eyes at his actions before turning to the cave.

I had a sudden feeling of hesitation run through me. Leaving meant not seeing Ayla. Despite not wanting to fulfil any sort of prophecy, I did respect Negus and it felt wrong leaving like this. Even if I wanted to, I don't think I'd be able to forget everything that happened and everything I saw here.

Demir's voice rung through the darkness.
"This is the part where you leave, by the way." He said, a scorn in his voice and I turned to him angrily, feeling irritated at his comments.

"Okay, I get it! I'm just... I need to think... I-I I'm just scared, so give me a break." I let out, looking down and then I heard a thud.

Gazing up, I saw that Demir was now stood on the ground, his hand idly playing with a twig. He let out a small condescending laugh.
"Humans are so indecisive. You either go or you don't. You don't stare at the cave." He said bluntly before throwing the twig carelessly to the side. I glared at his words about 'humans' and he smirked in response.

He moved closer and I looked up to see his gaze on the wound on my cheek.
"Humans- you're really fragile." He said and I opened my mouth to retort, but looking at his face, I shut up. He wasn't mocking; He was asking, that much I could tell from the questioning look on his face. It was clear by all the questions they had that they had no idea about how we were. Sure, they had people with no powers like us here. But, being surrounded with others who had abilities, they seemingly had forgotten the fragility that came with normal people.

I rolled my eyes, before speaking, my voice sounding quiet in comparison to the exotic nightlife of my surroundings.
"You're seeming to forget that I'm 'supposedly' not human so your fragility argument doesn't really apply to me then, does it?" I countered, to which Demir's focus flitted from my wound to my eyes, his gaze intense.

"Don't let that get to your head, balīd. Without knowing who you really are, you may as well be called a 'human'." He said bluntly.

I turned away from his intrusive gaze and he edged back slowly. I watched as he walked ahead without sparing a second glance, his frame wide but lean in the moonlight.

"You better make your decision quick or you'll see neither Aaru nor Earth; just the insides of a lion." He called out from behind his shoulder and, without thinking, I ran towards him, following behind. I was slightly surprised at how alike him and Emut were. He didn't acknowledge me or mock my decision and, for both, I was glad. I didn't know why I took the decision I did, but now that I chose that, it was time to accept it.

And, I chose Aaru.

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Hey, guys! Thank you for reading.

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S.A.A