ARIA

The woman approaches me later on in the day, after dinner.

"Aria," she begins calmly as she sits beside me on the forest floor, "how was your day? Is it safe to assume that you're feeling a lot more at home?"

"Absolutely," I answer, smiling. "I never realized that I spent so much time running from who I am."

She nods in understanding. "That happens when you've spent an entire life in fear, surrounded by hate. Wishing you didn't have to be different. But here, I hope you'll learn to ...