“Thavan, I don’t want to go! Please? Can’t we stay here? I don’t want to go. I like it here.” Susie cried, clinging to Ashran’s neck.

“Aww, shri’za. You knew the Beck was temporary. We would be moving to a new home. I will be there, and Kelsey, Marissa, Caitlyn, and all your friends.” He rocked her slowly. She’d been so brave through it all, but it was a hard transition. Ashran had seen Susie flourish in the new environment. But it was safe, there were no visitors, no unexpected people moving in and out of towns and nearby. And Ashran, along with the help of a very talented Lord McKenzie, had proven to Suzie that her grandmother couldn’t possibly know where she was now. Not to mention the woman was also in prison.

The other children, Polly, Tamara, Aiden, Oyne, and Krezik, were all doing very well. Aiden had really come out of his shell as he was allowed to help with the programming and holo simulations.

Kelsie was still having problems though. She jumped at everything, but she refused to go back to Earth or give up. She helped with the camping simulations, but only if Paul or Ashran went with her. Marissa and Ashran had watched Caitlyn with pride. She was determined to insure a new start for all of them and had made herself step out of the familiar to do that. They could tell the responsibility was triggering her anxiety, but Caitlyn could be a force of nature when she put her mind to it.

“Susie,” Caitlyn made her way toward the sound of her cries. Ashran took her hand and helped to lead her down beside them on the couch. “It’s okay Susie,” she cooed softly as she stroked the girl’s hair. “I know it’s scary, but we’re all going to do it together. You’ll get to keep up your riding lessons too.”

“I’m scared.” Susie’s little voice warbled through her sobs. Aiden came in and sat down too. He tugged her ankle gently. “Hey Suze. We’re scared too. We were scared to come on the Beck , remember? Now we like it here. We’re going to like it on Oed. I promise.”

“It’s okay to be scared, my shri’za, but fear is not a reason to avoid doing an exciting thing. We will all be together.” Ashran kissed her forehead and rocked her. “Let’s go make sure all your things are packed. Then we can have a snack, okay? Then, how about we all go to the lounge and we can watch the ships and see Oed for the first time?”

Dillon, Director, The House Sanctuary