Alina was in her room, trying to read a poetry book she had found in the library's abandoned corner. It was in an eastern language. The cover was worn, and the pages had turned soft with time. She didn't understand a word but wanted to learn. She had been staring at the same line for almost ten minutes when suddenly the door opened.
She looked up, her eyes widening in surprise as her hands froze on the book.
"Elspeth?"
"Hello, my little girl."
Alina was on her feet before she even realized it. She crossed the room in an instant and threw her arms around her. Elspeth held her just as tightly. They stood clinging to each other as if they had been separated for centuries.
"How are you here?" Alina pulled back, her eyes slightly wet. "How did you…"
"Because I missed you," she replied, cupping her cheeks.
"Father…how is he?"
