There are flowers growing all around | Running away

[Ares]

Mama, they say I'm a terrorist - WHAT?!?
I've done nothing wrong but I'm put on the blacklist!

The thought had been there for some time. A nagging feeling as she looked out into the forest beyond the town from her windows, her spot where she sat with wary eyes. A feeling of being unsafe, unloved and abandoned by everyone. Everyone but pretty-mother. But even Elsweyr got criticism with what she did, giving Ares a dagger. That dagger had hung from her neck with a leather cord, she swore never to use it. And she was doing a good job of it.

With the moon hidden behind dark clouds the child wrote a letter in candlelight. Shaky hand writing meant nothing, only one would read this letter. A flash of light from an oncoming storm shook Ares out of her zoning. Time to go. "Sorry, Mom. Can't risk you getting hurt or punished because of me." She looked at the note and set it before the door under the sheath. She wouldn't need it where she was going. Taking one last look at the letter she read it again.

"i am leaving. I am not sorry, Tanglewood, for this action. I believe it is best if I leave this place that has given me a reason to hate it. Ever since the incident you've all ignored me or whispered or even glared at me; i know what I am and I don't need you to remind me. Pretty-mother, I truly am sorry but this town isn't for me. - Ares

Ares snorted at the rain, pulling the black cloak further over her face as she moved toward the exit of town. It was a light drizzle now, but it would get heavier before she left the territory for her (hopefully) new home. Leaving town was a weight dropped from her shoulders, her tired limbs given new life as she ran from the town, from the memories, the hate. Maybe she could learn to love the place again, love the people.

At the border the rain pounded against her, heavy breaths drawn on cold air. "From this day forward, I am no longer of Tanglewood. I'm so, so sorry, Pretty-mother, but I can't risk your position for me." She gripped the dagger and she bolted out of the territory, leaving it all behind.

— Reggan