Inevitable.

In the coming weeks, Luna's mom told me where I was to go, how I was to get there, who to find, and everything I needed to know so that, when the time came, I would be able to leave at a moment's notice. She told me I would know when to leave, and when that time came, it was my responsibility to leave. I wasn't to tell her when I was leaving or say anything to Luna about where I was going or that I was leaving at all. She said saying goodbye would be too hard.

Luna knew something was going on. I wasn't myself. I spent my nights writing notes for Luna to explain that I had to leave and that I was sorry, but none of them seemed to come out right. I must have written 100 notes, all saying the same thing. I finally gave up on trying to put it in a note and decided I would trust her mother to explain enough so Luna wouldn't take it personally. It wasn't the way I would have chosen, but I really didn't have any say in the matter.



"Emma . . . " Luna whispered one night as I sat at her desk, silently wondering about my future. It was the middle of the night. I had assumed she was asleep, but I was restless, as I had been for weeks. I turned to look at her. She was sitting up in her bed, staring at me.

"What?"

"Something's bothering you." I sighed. I knew she was going to ask questions I couldn't answer again. She had been asking the same questions for weeks.

"I'm fine."

"Why won't you tell me, Emma? I want to help. I thought I was your best friend." She hit a nerve, as was her intention. I tried to find a way to tell her why I couldn't tell her without saying anything that might put her in danger.

"I want to, Luna, but--"

"Then tell me."

"You don't understa--"

"I would if you told me."

"I can't."

"Why not? I'm not worthy of the truth, Emma? You don't think I have a right to know what's bugging you? You've barely slept in weeks. You won't talk to me. You keep writing stuff and then throwing it out suddenly. You're distant. I'm not stupid. What's wrong?" There was a terrible, sick feeling in the pit of my stomach which I was trying to ignore to no avail. It took me a minute or two to find my voice.

"I . . . I'm leaving . . . Sorry." She gaped at me. I stood up and grabbed my backpack which was filled with everything I'd need. I knew I wouldn't ever be able to leave if I didn't leave right then, so I turned my back on her and walked out of her room. I walked as quickly as I could so I could leave before I changed my mind.

I got to the door and stepped out in icy cold air of the alleyway. I knew it was the last time I would ever be there and I suddenly realised I couldn't breathe. Tears had formed in my eyes. Forcefully, I shook my head and took a step down the alleyway. I didn't get far, however, because a hand grabbed my shoulder and pulled me back nearly immediately.

"You're mad! It's freezing out here!" Luna blurted, still holding onto my arm.

"Let me go," I said as calmly as I could, though it was difficult to remain calm when I was so close to breaking down and crying. I was scared and wanted to forget everything and go back to life as it had been, but I knew that wasn't possible.

"Where are you going?" She was eyeing me suspiciously.

"I can't tell you, Luna."

"Bull. Tell me where you're going."

"I can't."

"Why not? What is wrong with you lately?"

"Goodbye, Luna." I pulled my arm away and turned my back on her, tears now running silently down my face.

"You can't just leave me, Emma!" I sighed and took a step away from her. "Please," she whispered. A chill went down my spine and the sickness in the pit of my stomach became nearly unbearable. Only the determination not to do so kept me from running back into the house and locking myself in a corner forever. I fought off every instinctive urge of mine and walked silently down the alley, tuning out the sound of Luna beginning to cry. "I HATE YOU!" She screamed. The words echoed through the alley and I quickened my pace, now desperate to leave before my will shattered. I started running. I ran as fast and hard as I could, no longer trying to control my tears as they poured shamelessly down my face. I ran through and out the alley, down the silent streets that I knew I would never again call home. I ran until dawn as the Sun's rays silently lit up the world and the unfamiliar doorway to a new life.