#Chapter 33 Home at last

Patara I had started to believe that I would never see their faces or hear their voices again when I was locked in Dylan’s house. I knew he would never let me have a glimpse of them—or even a proper goodbye. Even now, it felt unreal to be so close to them when I swore they were gone from me. When we emerged from the darkness, I saw my parents waiting in the light and it felt like all of my energy was restored for a moment. There they were—they were here! I broke away from Malcom and ran the rest of the distance. I could barely see through the tears, but I knew their arms opened wide for me. I collapsed in their arms, my father held me up in his strong grasp and I was grateful for the warmth. I was grateful that he had me now. “Oh, my beautiful girl.” He said against my hair. I felt my mother’s arms wrap around me but I couldn’t bring myself to open my eyes just yet. Part of me was afraid that if I closed my eyes, I might wake up back in Dylan’s house and this would all