"You know you're on my mind."

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The first snowflake fell upon Elysia’s scalp during her time on the edge of the dock. She seemed to be dozing off in her arctic form, curled up. The scenery was simply too nice to not enjoy a nap in. Her furry coat, almost dark blue, shook slightly from the sensation of the snow sticking on her. It’s been cold lately, but the shifter chopped it up as unpredictable weather in an unexpected place.

The fox lifted her head. Her eyes brighter in this form, sparkling within the heavy snowfall. She stood on all four paws, her tail wagging from the pure thrill she was experiencing. It snowed in the Sanctuary. And although she fled from home, she couldn’t help but to feel pure warmth within her soul. It was coursing through her veins and wouldn’t leave like a friendly parasite. The snow only piled on the wood, thickening in width and coating the land before her. Her eyes flickered above to the grass around the water. It seemed it was coming in fast.

Elysia ran for the hills– literally. She jumped to impressive heights to hop over the barrels and obstacles that came her way. Nothing was going to stop the fox. Her chattering and laughing were loud for everyone to hear. Only that everyone seemed to be inside. The sun was setting at this time and it must’ve hit below zero for snow to stick so quickly. Nonetheless, Elysia sang the song of her kind: her way of showing her playfulness.

Once she reached the snow, the white snowball dove into the snow. A pure instinct of hunting, but the human peeked through. It was simply entertaining to be in the air for an extended amount of time. As if she was in flight. Free as a bird, what she had always yearned for. It had only been a week and she isn’t too sure what to do with the newfound time she has on her hands. Hunting can’t last forever, and she doesn’t need too much sleep. So oftentimes, she comes by the dock to watch the stars. And she can’t help but think they are more free than her. Unshackled by society and open to be who they are meant to be. Bright and hopeful. Where everyone takes notice in awe.

This moment was hers. All of hers. The only thing she owned. Her coat easily blended in with the covering of the lands. Like her own personal warm blanket. White canines were shown throughout her echoes of joy. It was all for Elysia, that’s what she convinced herself of anyway. However, something felt missing. My, what was she missing? It was far colder all of the sudden. It must’ve marked a new season.

It hit her. The shock became so prevalent she shifted back into her human form. Her eyes widened as she was sprawled out along the white blanket. Another memory had hit her from a month prior, she was still back home. A headache came about as she had the revelation. 

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A knock on her door came about. Elysia was sitting on her bed, reading silently to herself. She had been secretly preparing for her adventure without telling her parents her plan. Without another word, she shut the fairytale book and placed it under her pillow. The shifter leaned back on the bedding. By this time, she had easily read it well over a thousand times. Her imagination expanding with each read. 

“Come in.” The daughter spoke out. 

As the door opened, it appeared to be an elder-version of Elysia from first glance. Her roots were much darker and the white tinted into gray. However, when it came to her upturned nose, bright blue and big eyes, and rosy cheeks, it all spoke Elysia. In the flesh, though, it was her mother: Lystra Vanora. She seemed to have a similar fur coat to the one her daughter has in her closet. Though a clan symbol on the back. Lystra had a kind smile upon her lips. The same as the younger shifters. Though her smile lines shone through. 

Lystra spoke aloud, though her voice was not very loud. It was a hair above a whisper. “Hey there, honey. Are you excited? We can count down to your birthday now.”

Her eyes shifted to her mother’s. She almost forgot her birthday. There was so much to say, so much she was feeling, but she wondered how fast her mother would tune it out. So she responded, “Yes, of course I am.”

“Twenty-one.”

“Yes, mom, I can keep up with my age.”

Her mother gave another warm smile. She silently exited the young woman’s door. A breath of relief as Elysia looked out the window to peer at the endless snow. It was a fact they were all alone. Every year, it was the same. A small cake with one candle. With the same people. With the same song. It was predictable, so what joy would Elysia find in that? It ate away at her. The Vanora girl knew there was something bigger waiting on her. And it couldn’t wait.

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“Are you guys wishing me… a happy birthday right now?” Her tone was solemn. 

The woman's eyes closed for the remainder. Her first birthday without her family– and all alone, nonetheless. She wasn’t going to speak of this. Her birthday. She just came around, so who would care anyway. It was a price she had to pay for freedom. Being lonely on the street was better than being lonely in a place that was supposedly her home. Elysia couldn’t get the thought out of her head. 

Without a doubt, they were home with the small cake and candle. Guilt wasn’t something she was expecting to experience. To her, it was worth it. Worth all of it. The seven days of travel, nowhere to sleep, hunting alone. She got what she needed. What she desperately wanted. However, the thought of her family mourning, perhaps thinking she had passed away, was laying heavy on her. Someone so small, fragile had to deal with a heavy burden that was her emotions. It seemed unjust.

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