One Hundred and Twenty-Five

Maya stood behind her parents in the rowdy airport terminal. Her parents were saying goodbye to the king and her aunt while she stood aloof, with her gaze fixed on the floor and her hoodie brought low, covering half of her face.

Her aunt tried to joke with her boss. She didn't move or respond. The king placed a hand on Maya's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"I'm certain that someday you will find your happiness, you will see," he said to her, and she felt uncomfortable by that harmless sentence.

Waved at the king before turning to leave, Maya followed them, and they stopped at his departure gate where their flight announcement board displayed their flight information.

She didn't know whether to be happy or sad about leaving the park. A part of her was relieved to be escaping the pain and heartache, but another part was grieving the loss of what could have been.

Ivan's mark was imprinted on her body, and no matter where she went in this world, they were a painful reminder.

She be