It was kind of ironic that Fatima was having a hard time with the fire. It had been her idea, after all. A way to let go of all that she'd lost, both good and bad. But there were certain names she found herself clinging to, tightly between her fingers. Every once in awhile, she'd find the courage she needed to let one of them go. But after that,she'd stray away from the alley to build it up again.

On one of her return trips, she noticed Ishka. Even after all of her experience, both at home and in Zelien, with different species, she had to admit, this one threw her for a loop. The first thought to pop into her mind was of a picture book her mother used to read to her, about a family of trolls, living together in an enchanted forest. The stranger looked just like one of those trolls.

Except without the neon pink hair.

She smiled politely, before turning to one of the trash cans. She could do this. She could let Jefferson go.

With a deep breath, she tossed the paper with his name on it into the fire.