#winner winner!

86.

Rayla blames it on being exhausted, but the longer she's out here, the harder it is to be alone.

It's not a new thing. She was a lonely child growing up, with few friends and parents whose mission was more important than her. She's a lonely teenager, banished from her home with nowhere else to go. Her time with Ca—with the boys was always going to be temporary, and deep down, she thinks she's known that. It was foolish to believe it would be anything more.

So she's alone again, like she should be, like she deserves (because she's failed everyone, and she can't fail Callum too), and she's beaten down and worn and so, so tired that she actually starts to wonder—

Maybe this isn't worth it.

Maybe she should go home, assuming home—Callum—will still have her after this.

It's doubtful, she tells herself. She wouldn't have her, if she was in Callum's place. Why should he want anything to do with her after everything she's done.

And then one day, she thinks she sees him—a flash of red, a glimpse of blue, a wink of green.

Rayla's heart jumps into her throat, and for a moment she freezes, hoping, and at the same time fearing the very idea that he would come after; that he would place so much more value on her life that she does—

But it's not him. Of course it's not. It's just the red of a Sunfire elf uniform, the wings of a Skywing elf, the emerald of Tidebound charms glinting in the sunlight.

Rayla is still alone.