I look at him, unable to believe what Ridge just said is real. That this is really happening. “Tell me this isn’t real. That this is some twisted dream. I can’t be awake.”

I pinch my arm, and the pain from both my arm and my chest tell me this is really happening. I’m really going home.

“I- I’m really going home?” I look to Ridge, at the wary smile on his face. “I’m really going home?”

He nods. “Yea, if you wanna. . .”

“I’m really going home!” I look around, unable to contain my excitement. I throw my arms around the demi God and squeeze.

“Can’t- breath,” Ridge manages to squeeze out.

I quickly pull away, smiling like an idiot. “I’m sorry- It’s just- I’m going home!”

“Wait, I’m going home. . .” My smile fades and my shoulders slump forward. “I- I’m going home,” I cover my face with my hands.

“Xeph? Are you okay?” Ridge reaches out to touch my arm but I quickly step out of reach.

“I’m going home,” I remove my hands from my face and look up at Ridge. “I’m really going home.”

I curl into a ball and sit there, staring at the water. The only thing I can say is “I’m going home.” Ridgedog sits down next to me, rubbing a hand up and down my back.

“Xeph, if you don’t want to go, we don’t have to. But if you do, we have to go now. If you decide to change your mind, we can always come back.”

Ridge has to repeat himself two more times before I finally come back. “Oh, uh, yeah. Yeah!” I say with more enthusiasm.

“Are you sure?” He cups my face and kisses me slowly. “ We don’t have to go. I completely understand. I just- I thought it might be nice to go home. I understand how you feel, to some extent.”

He pulls me in for a hug before continuing. “I’ve watched so many people grow up and die, but to know they are out there, alive and waiting for me? That is so much worse.”

I shake my head. “No. You said we needed to go?” I ask, changing the subject.

“Yea, come on.” He leads me through his house up to the roof, where a rocket is waiting. We get in and Ridge starts flipping switches.

He turns to me, hand hovering over the button that says “launch” on it. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

I try to swallow, a lump starting to form in my throat. “Uh, yeah. Yes. I should warn you though, the people on my home planet are a bit different.”

“Oh, yeah. I’m sure.” We look up at the screen.

“Ready?”

I nod.

Look out Earth, here we come.

*Sorry about how short it is, they will be long like the first one after this. Just wanted to end it where I did. xD Don't worry, the next chapter should be up tonight or tomorrow. :)*