Diane raised herself from the rock she lay atop; looking out to the purple rays on the horizon. She watched as the yellow globe drifted slowly below the emerald waves. Dark clouds heavily laden with rain pushed against the rays in a dash to take the sun’s place. It was only a matter of moments before they would unleash their wet wrath upon the Earth. She would miss this sight.

Diane sighed, brushing the dirt from her dress as she stood. She turned to the path home. Her legs itched to move but her mind still wondered. She stood as still as a statue, unable to advance until she quelled her doubts. Was this the right decision? Could she really leave?

She thought of her home: of the small countryside cottage overlooking the sea; of the small port city bustling with excitement that she had come to love. She thought of her family: of her aging father and his frail body growing closer to the moment of being unable to take care of himself; of her brother, the little tot dreaming of adventure and only finding trouble. She thought of her past; of the memories of bliss that she would be abandoning; of the harsh trials that the world had given to harden her into the woman she had become. And she thought of Edward.

“Argh!” she screamed, kicking a cloud of debris off the cliff to the rushing waves below. Her hands flew to her face as tears formed in her eyes. Her body crumpled to a ball atop the rock as her breath turned to labored screams.

She hated the world for stealing him away. She hated the crown for taking him. But more importantly she hated him for leaving. The brash decision that she didn’t approve of. The inconsiderate choice he had made without even a thought to consult her. She hated the selfish bastard for leaving her.

With a sniffle, she composed herself. She dried her tears and slowed her breaths. Her eyes closed as she forced the thoughts aside. A new life in a new world. The decision had been made. She would leave this life behind.

A crash of lightning brought the fall of rain. Starting out as a petering drizzle it quickly grew into a raging waterfall. Diane lifted herself from the rock once more, unphased by the pouring rain. She rather enjoyed the dreary weather. The cool droplets cooled her heated skin, hugging her in a calming embrace.

But it was time to leave.