Dad pulled another box from his pocket, similar to the one Mom's ring had come in, and held it out to me.I opened it to see a beautiful gold heart on ...a chain. I had tears in his eyes as I hugged him. He put it around my neck and told me it was to remind me that whatever happened, I'd always be in his heart. I've worn it ever since.We moved into his house and Mom and Dad married three months later. For my ninth birthday, Mom and Dad took me to the shelter and I was allowed to pick out my own. Even with the winds, the landing was easy given the broad expanse of smooth snow-covered ice. Here, in at the beginning of their summer, the sunlight reflected brightly from the landscape and reminded me of home. Dancer reminded me that this was the farthest point on the planet from that warm, comfortable bed that I wanted to get back to, so I moved quickly to the main buildings to hasten my return.The tree in the dining hall was festive, and I quickly placed the appropriate gifts under it,. Just needed to recharge my batteries."Thomas frowned. "What does that mean?" she asked.I contemplated talking about batteries and how they get recharged, but then decided it was better not to. "I needed to sleep for a few moments. How are we doing?" Saul has been taking us into the woods following the road; Mistress Genius has taken the reins for show. She's been telling stories ... did you really go to a world of metal?" I could hear the doubt in her voice."The lands beyond the portal are many. There were anumber of people milling around already, maybe a dozen or so. I knewthese shoots were expensive but didn't realise there were quite as manypeople involved. Julie wandered over to a group of other people she'dobviously met, whilst I stood back, taking in the scene.?I noticed that she started to look a little anxious when one of thegirls assembled starting talking to her. the I noticed them lookingback at me and nodding. Suddenly I felt out of place, like everyone wasstarting to focus.