New Soul

Garland Bone’s garden was the jewel of the neighborhood; the envy of the whole town.

But for Smiley, it was Mama’s Happy Place.

In 3 days, 12 hours, and 42 minutes, Persephone WhittleBone will have her life irrevocably changed in ways she will barely comprehend.

But tonight, she will finally be rid of him.

The Valley Express leaves in an hour.

There’s no time for cold feet.

Get out the door and don’t stop running.

Persie’s hair grows ten times faster than normal, thanks to the powers of Chimera’s Heart.

It is said that the Sceptre of Harvestar was made from the sickle Ven used to vanquish her enemies. Nowadays it is used as a symbol of peace and a beacon of good fortunes.

When Joy Bonewishe saw him standing there across the street, namesake smile beaming on his face, at first she thought she had seen a ghost.

He had to have been one, considering how long he had been gone.

A whole year.

Before, he'd send her some kind of message; his way of saying he and his cousins were safe and they'd be back soon. A letter with a return address from three counties over. A cheesy souvenir from the coast.

But this time there had been nothing at all. Radio Silence.

Her eyes go blurry remembering how lonely that silence was.

And yet, there he was; standing there with that same old nonchalant grin as if he'd just gotten back from a weekend getaway.

She could have strangled him.

She doesn't even realize her feet are moving until the bell above the door rings out and her boss is shouting behind her and a car honks in surprise and she doesn't even register any of it.

All she can see are the spring blossoms and Smiley Bone.

She grabs a tight hold of his collar, and it's only then that his smile falters a little; at the chance this wasn't as happy a reunion as he was expecting.

He has every right to think that way. She's so relieved and angry all at once the only thing she can think to do is yank him down and--

After the past few weeks, this was all I could come up with.

She's not used to it.