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Another letter had arrived for Zinnia. She didn't need to check the returner's address to know who it was from; only her parents ever sent her letters. Zinnia remembered the mess she had been upon receiving the last letter, and swore to be stronger this time. She would not run crying to Lenore. She had to be able to face her own parents, or how would she ever face a Titan?

She sat down on her bed, sparing a glance to her flower pot. Tiny green spikes were poking out of the dirt; her poppies were sprouting. That made her smile, just slightly.

She returned her attention to the letter. She carefully picked at the wax seal until it broke and she opened the envelope. She pulled out the parchment and read:

Dear Zinnia,

Your mother was distraught when she realized that you were not going to write back in response to her previous letter. You are stubborn and prideful; your mother will say that you inherited those traits from me. Still, it is not good of you to ignore your parents. Please write back to us when you have time.

Because you are stubborn, I know that it will do me no good to ask you to return home. However, perhaps it will help if I tell you that I would never force you to marry someone against your will. Am I right in believing that the fear of that is what is keeping you in the military? Your mother and I only want you to be happy; she believes that you will never provide her with grandchildren.

You expressed some interest in learning business. I believed that you were too young, and I did not want a life of business for you, but if it will bring you home, I will teach you all that I know. You need not marry Mr. White's son; I only ask that you humor your mother and meet with him. Get to know him, learn business from me-- what do you say? Will you not return home to us, where you belong?

We both miss you terribly. Please do not let your pride prevent you from doing what is right.

With love,

Clemont Hayes


Zinnia sighed shakily, setting the letter aside when she finished reading it. Her father had written a much more reasonable-sounding letter than her mother had. If he had sent it months ago, it would have tempted her. However, she now had too many ties in the military; too many friends and fond memories. She did not want to be a businesswoman; she had only preferred that to marrying a stranger. Now she had a third option, to be fully independent from both of her parents. Her father believed that stubborn pride kept her there, but that was not the case. So many things held her; hope, determination, loyalty, and love. This was her life now. She had left her home behind.

However, her father was right in one thing; she could not continue to run away from her past. She would have to write a letter home. She would tell them what she had to live for now, so that they could cease their worrying.

She rifled through her drawers until she came upon a blank piece of paper and a pen. Dear Mom and Dad, she wrote, You'll never believe all the wonderful people I have met and things I have learned in my time here at the training compound...

Zinnia wrote a very long letter describing her friends, her roommates, and the type of training that she had gone through. She told them about her struggles, her fears, her victories, and her goals. She told them all about her life and how happy she was-- and gave absolutely no indication that she was ever coming home. Her letter was much more polite than her mother's, and less pointed than her father's; it was open and honest, but subtle. She did her best to make sure not to give them any more fuel for their arguments. The only impression her letter would give was that she was very happy where she was.

She signed it with a flourish, reading it over twice before she was satisfied. She folded it into a fresh envelope and exited her room to have it delivered.

She had faced her first monster and had overcome it.