Nod

Hesitating for a moment, I pushed against rusted metal. The gate creaked open, its magical locks long disabled. The front door allowed my passage just as easily, leading me into the home I had abandoned thirteen years ago. This time, I expected the emptiness that greeted me. Last time, the first and only other time, this exact scene — with less dust and mold — had greeted the prodigal daughter who had returned after several long months alone in non-magical society.