The morning of the wedding she donned her gown before sunrise. It seemed fitting somehow. Symbolic. All the tiny buttons up her back hell to fasten. She felt resolute for the first time, sure now of her next step.

She padded softly outside her family’s house, careful not to wake the dog. It stood in the half-light like she’d always remembered it. Blue paint faded a little, but basically the same. Barefoot, she let the grass slide between her toes. Her white gown fluttering in the slight breeze. She got into the plane.

Minutes later, she was airborne, hearing only the drone of engine. She patted the knapsack by her side to feel the security of knowing it was there. It contained everything she would need on this adventure. Her savings, a pot of raspberry flavored lip gloss, and a picture of her parents when they were still dating. The smiles on their faces bright as an unused penny.

The sun rose just as her town was becoming small as a pinprick below her and it was like the sky suddenly caught on fire.