1 - Prologue

"Dear Susana,

I understand I'm probably the last person in the world you wish to hear from, now or ever. Understand then, that I would not be putting quill to parchment if the situation wasn't honestly a matter of life and death. Mother is ill. Ill to the point of madness. She insists her life cannot go on and has begun harming herself in the most foul, and unimag-"

My knuckles had been white as I gripped the letter between them, but was suddenly ripped away and kept out of my grasp. My dearest friend Rori stood with arms behind her back and a sheepish grin on her face. "Please Ro, I dont have time for games, that letter-"

"It can wait." She turned and placed the letter in my one open traveling case right on top of my clothes. "Today is your last day here, I'll not have you spending it all off somewhere else in your own head." Her Scottish cadence was soothing usually, but today it just left me frustrated. I was about to respond harshly but thought better of it. She was right, and there would be plenty of time to read and dwell after I left.

I truly wanted to be positive, but it was difficult. "You're right as usual." I forced a small smile and rose to hug Rori. I held her close. she had been my closest friend since I was a child. She knew my innermost secrets and thoughts, and I knew hers. In every way that mattered, we were sisters.

I felt a tear fall as I clenched my eyes shut. I heard a sniffle escape from Ro, before we finally released each other vigorously wiping at our eyes before the other could see. Our eyes met and we shared a smile, then a chuckle. Oh God, I would miss that. The warmth of an embrace from a friend. My only friend.

"Come, Ma and Pa want to see you off." She took my hand and together we were off down the stairs in the tiny, cozy home. As we descended I heard the matriarch of the family, Isla weep in hushed tones, and my heart ached.

I tried hard to hold in the next tear, and wiped my eyes one more time to make sure none remained from earlier. We entered the kitchen, which Isla spent much of her time in, and saw her leaning back against the stove, also wiping at her eyes as she heard us enter. Patrick, her husband stood at her side with an arm around her back comfortingly.

"Ma, you can't cry too, my poor heart won't survive if you do." Ro wrapped her arms around her mother then motioned for me. "aw pish. Your ma can't cry you know that." Isla gave Patrick a sideways glance and pushed him lightly with a slight grin. He wasn't totally wrong. Only two times in my whole life did I see Isla cry. today was one of them.

I had been an honorary member of the Cunningham household since I was a little girl and they had become family to me in every way that mattered.

We heard the door shut behind us somewhere with a thud. It was time. Ma scooped me up for one last embrace then held my face in her hands. "You are so much like your pa. His spirit is in you. Carry that knowledge with you naighean. It will serve you well." I held what felt like a wave.

"It's time to go, sassenach." The quiet voice came from Thomas, as he leaned against the doorway. I hugged everyone once again and followed the young man outside. Patrick carried my bag and put it inside the small two person carriage. Thomas held the door and I turned. everyone was overflowing with bitter-sweet smiles and tears. Even Patrick, Pa, had one or two staining his flush cheeks.

I took Thomas' hand and climbed in before I became an ocean. I watched as he closed the door, his eyes slightly puffy as he avoided my gaze. Had he too been crying? I pushed the thought away, focusing on Ro instead who approached and leaned into the open window. "You can't leave me alone Su. If you don't write me at least once a week I swear to-"

"Don't worry." I managed with a smile. "I could never do this without knowing I had you, here, to tell all my adventures to." I put my hand on hers. We both knew I wasn't going on any grand adventures, just moving on to what was to become of me, for better or worse. She kissed my hand, then backed away waving.

The shaking of the carriage signaled he had climbed up, and the sound of the reigns ringed in my ears, signaling our departure. I took one last look at the tiny country house, with the tiny yard and tiny family, all of which I called home.

Finally the floodgates opened as it all faded away into a fog of tears and change. My home was gone, and now to move on.