Time: Early Morning
Place: Paradise Pier
200+
Yesterday had been so amazing that she just had to come back. No one wanted to end the day at the seaside carnival, but the family finally had to return home with tired pups in tow. On the way home the night before, each parent ended up lugging a tired pup in their arms, the children dozing in their protective hold as Shawchert and Orin walked back to the Treetop Terrace.
Something happened that day – something more than just laughing pups and playful adults. Even though it had been years since the carnival had last been powered, many of the ride’s wheels still turned and Orin and Shawchert could put the girls in the boats and push them in circles, sit in cars that lugged over rickety wooden hills, and could mount crackle-painted carousel horses and pretend to be knights. The girls, Shawchert, and Orin laughed like they were all pups again. And for a while it was like they didn’t have a care in the world.
That night, Orin slept soundly. For the first time her sleep was deep, and no shadowy nightmares plagued her. Dawn woke the mother, and she knew she had to go back.
A soft wind now tugged at her hair. The morning light glinted off the gentle waves as she leaned against the railing and peered out into the sea. Just the smell of this place brought back vivid memories of yesterday, and Orin’s smile was so persistant that her face ached. She loved it.
Her golden eyes slipped closed, and the woman took in a deep, cleansing breath. For the first time in many months she felt... okay.
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