32

Casina fled back to the garden, halting when she was finally alone, away from the crowds of people. Collapsing onto a bench shadowed in darkness, by a leafy tree bough hanging over her, her hands covered her face, halting the new flow of tears trickling from her eyes. Sniffing, she wiped them away as she pondered her decision. Faith, it wasn"t that hard, was it?

After wanting to return home for as long as she could remember, it also occurred to her that there really was nothing there for her anymore. Her family was gone. She had no close relatives she was aware of. Her only friend had probably long ago forgotten her by now, having given up on what had become of her.

The problem, it seemed, was that she wanted her old life back. Her family back. Her friends back. Her life back.