Valkyrie was very good at hiding. After I'd woken up, I'd tried to rush over to her place to talk to her. It was only because my body betrayed me, telling me in no uncertain terms I needed food and, almost as importantly, a shower, that I didn't do just that. By the time I got to her hut, she was gone, and my attempts to find her proved fruitless.
By then, it was clear that she didn't want to be found, and while that hurt, I understood. So, I gave her her space. I went to Coraline's birthday party. I went to dance class one week, and left when Valkyrie didn't show up. It was the hardest couple of weeks in my life. The pain from the injuries sustained in my dream stayed with me, though there was no reason for them to be there whatsoever. Probably psychosomatic, I thought, grimly.
When Valkyrie's note appeared in my mailbox, I thought again about going to her hut. I didn't. Maybe it was because the note was so short. She had nothing to say -- and what could she say? And what could I say in return? So I stayed in my bedroom, moping, before Mrs. O'Leary rousted me in no uncertain terms and demanded her walk.
I patted Mrs. O'Leary's side as we headed out for a walk along the beach. Apparently, she'd sat outside my hut, not moving, while I was in my dream trip. I was afraid I'd neglected her in the weeks that followed. She deserved better, so I gave her a long walk. A good choice, too, as the sound of the surf soothed me.
But then Mrs. O'Leary looked ahead, and let out a soft "WOOF!".
I looked ahead, and saw a shadow against the twilight that I recognized instantly. My heart leapt, but I smiled. I patted Mrs. O'Leary and nodded at the forest. "Go have some fun, girl," I said. Mrs. O'Leary bounded into the woods.
I cut across the beach, and stood by the water, my hands in my pockets, waiting as Valkyrie approached.
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By then, it was clear that she didn't want to be found, and while that hurt, I understood. So, I gave her her space. I went to Coraline's birthday party. I went to dance class one week, and left when Valkyrie didn't show up. It was the hardest couple of weeks in my life. The pain from the injuries sustained in my dream stayed with me, though there was no reason for them to be there whatsoever. Probably psychosomatic, I thought, grimly.
When Valkyrie's note appeared in my mailbox, I thought again about going to her hut. I didn't. Maybe it was because the note was so short. She had nothing to say -- and what could she say? And what could I say in return? So I stayed in my bedroom, moping, before Mrs. O'Leary rousted me in no uncertain terms and demanded her walk.
I patted Mrs. O'Leary's side as we headed out for a walk along the beach. Apparently, she'd sat outside my hut, not moving, while I was in my dream trip. I was afraid I'd neglected her in the weeks that followed. She deserved better, so I gave her a long walk. A good choice, too, as the sound of the surf soothed me.
But then Mrs. O'Leary looked ahead, and let out a soft "WOOF!".
I looked ahead, and saw a shadow against the twilight that I recognized instantly. My heart leapt, but I smiled. I patted Mrs. O'Leary and nodded at the forest. "Go have some fun, girl," I said. Mrs. O'Leary bounded into the woods.
I cut across the beach, and stood by the water, my hands in my pockets, waiting as Valkyrie approached.