It was midnight, as Terra walked out to the balcony. The stars were shimmering in the sky, like little beacons of hope. But from where she was standing, there was no hope. Everything she had come to know so well was disappearing faster than she could blink. She sighed with sadness, leaning against the wall. She slid down, coming to rest in a sitting position. It had been days since Riku had last been by. He said he was just going to pick something up at the store, but he hadn’t returned. When she had asked Cid about it, he told her that Riku hadn’t come to the store in months. Terra closed her eyes, trying to think. What could have happened to him? There had been no reports of Heartless in months, and everyone was just starting to settle down again. But now this. And that wasn’t even the worst of it. Just yesterday poor little Haze was taken while he was playing in the town square. Poor Selphie had gone stark raving mad with worry. Haze had never done anything like this, even if he had his father’s mischievous ways. They had no clues, no leads. The children never played in the square anymore, for fear of being stolen just like Haze. Most just clung to their mothers like little puppies, afraid of leaving their mother’s sides. It saddened Terra to see them like that. This was supposed to be a good time when everyone wasn’t afraid of being attacked. But life was never fair, and she knew that. You just had to make due with what you got, that’s what her mother had always told her. Riku she said to herself, a tear falling down her cheek. Where have you gone off to…?
“Momma?” Terra heard from behind her. She looked over, wiping away her tear. Her eyes come to set on Angel, her beautiful baby girl. The little girl was the splitting image of her father, long white hair, beautiful blue eyes and pale skin. She was barely the age of 10, a timid little thing. Wearing a blue nightgown with bunny slippers and a moogle plushy in her arms, she looked so small, so helpless.
“Momma, I had a nightmare again. Daddy didn’t come back and then you disappeared and…” Tears started to fall down the small child’s face at her remembering. Terra sighed, reaching out to the little girl. Angel walked over and sat in her mother’s lap, wanting to be held.
“Don’t worry little one, daddy will be back soon and everything will be alright, you’ll see. We all love you very much. As long as Daddy can see your light, he will always come back. Always. So never forget, alright?” Terra smiled, leaning down to kiss her beautiful child’s head. “Now I think you best be going to bed my dear. Remember, tomorrow is a really big day for you. First day of school is a very tiring day, so you are going to need all the sleep you need.” Terra stood up, holding Angel like a baby in her arms. “Shall I escort you Princess Angel of the Moogles?” Angel giggled, nodding. She loved it when her mother called her that, she loved Moogles. Terra carried her in the house and to the little girl’s room. She walked in, laying her down on the bed.
“Good night my angel, have sweet dreams.” She smiled, leaning down and kissing her forehead. She stood up and walked over to the door, turning off the light. She turned her little moogle nightlight on and walked out the door, closing it gently. She leaned against the door, sighing. She couldn’t raise these children on her own, she couldn’t. With Riku here, it had been easier but with him gone, it was overwhelming.
She silently pushed off of the door, walking to her and Riku’s room. She walked to his closet, smelling his clothes. They still smelled like him. She smiled. She loved the way he smelled, just like the sea. She walked over to her dresser and pulled out her nightgown, slipping it on. Walking to the bed, she lay down and turned off the light. Her eyes slowly closed, hoping that she would dream of him, of her love.
Maribell Alexander Community Member 
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