18. She can follow this path straight home

Looking at the sky and making her best guess, she knows these are the clear waters that run through her home. She can almost feel the forest telling her what direction to go in. She may have to cross the river later, but at this time she’s content to follow it.

For the better part of the day, Malene walks alongside the river. She thinks back to playing in its waters as a child and feels a sense of safety wash over her. She’s on the right path, she can feel it.

As the sun’s golden, afternoon light bathes the trees, Malene feels happy for the first time since she awoke on her coming of age journey.