HOPE

Kitara started walking faster as the first streaks of sunlight illuminated the sky. She stopped abruptly, the magnificent view filling her entire field of vision. To say that the sunrise was beautiful would be a grave understatement. The rays reached out, and slowly touched the horizon facing her; the streams, the hills and the forest, casting a soft golden glow. 

Kitara could feel the rays wash over her own skin now; filling her with a bit more hope. The path before her was illuminated by the sun itself. What other encouragement did she need?

Her few belongings were enclosed into the backpack slung across her back and her silver moon pendant; her only memory if her sister, swayed back and forth as she picked up pace.

Although she knew that the grass wasn't always greener on the other side, she adamantly refused to believe that this would be the case for her. Her destination would become her safe haven.

Unable to prevent herself, she cast a glance backwards, past the desolate woods and towards the valley. The sunlight hadn't reached it yet and the sleeping village was swathed in a shroud of darkness.

It was eerily fitting and Kitara found a wry smile forming on her face, for it was the same village that had once provided her with refuge, only to scar her profoundly and eternally.  

The childhood she knew of was of mockery and ridicule; of scars of agony, grief and self-loathing. The children's taunting jeers still rang in her ears even after so long, and she could distinctly recall the adults shot her, whispering from time to time.

She hadn't been born with the curse, no, but seemed to have acquired it unknowingly somewhere in time. It was as if it had chosen her specifically. Alas, no one seemed to pay any heed to that so-called 'trifling' fact. It was as if her difference was the only thing they noticed; everything else seemed to be obscured completely.

Now she had escaped from a world of solely derision and condemnation. She didn't know why she hadn't attempted this before. It wasn't like anyone would care anyway. And now that she had finally built up the courage to accomplish that, she was ready to explore the world before her; a world where she knew that no one would judge her for her differences. 

The sun was high above her head now, the light beating down on the path, as if tracing a route for her. It seemed to be the first time that the world was choosing to be kind to her. It was almost as if it was beckoning her to come and explore all its nooks and crannies; all the wonder she had yet to see. 

Initially, Kitara thought it was the sunlight that was causing the pleasant warmth that was growing within her. But then she knew. 

It was hope.