Redhawk Caldera Dallmayr Ethiopia

"i mean." her cheeks scorched. "a little." it felt like a betrayal, admitting that. "it's sort of why i felt — ashamed. i was guilty that i felt okay somewhere else."
she flicked an answering rock into the depths, breathing a bit easier.
"i found moonglow, or really they found me. i learned to take care of others, to stop being so selfish, you know. to like, be alone. to appreciate what i do and what i have."
the girl glanced at her sister, trying to offer a genuine smile that brightened her eyes a little. "i never forgot you, any of you. and i was always planning to come back, not just like, disappear forever."