I got dropped off today, all alone in a clearing surrounded by towering trees. I won't lie, it was nerve-wracking. After they left, All I could hear was silence and the weight of everything that led me here. I stood there for a while before forcing myself to shake it off and get moving.

Eventually, I stumbled onto this tiny path tucked behind the trees. It was barely noticeable, but I followed it anyway. The land opened up into this peaceful, wide patch with a sky soooo blue, it almost felt like the planet was offering me this place. When I got closer I realized the patch I found actually rested on the edge of the cliff, and at the bottom, an endless ocean that stretched far beyond what my eyes could see. The waves had this low constant hum that sounded so welcoming. I don't think I'll ever forget that moment. 

Back in training, the Observation Corps gave us special tech kits to keep us safe and hidden. One piece is the nomad bead, a small purple crystal bead. It's small enough to lose so I turned mine into a ring using some wire. Honestly the concept is wild. If you crush the bead over the spot and set an intention for a strong, safe home, it will create a shelter that reflects your energy. I had seen others use it but I was excited to see what my home would look like.

So, I crushed my bead onto the ground and focused every bit of my intention on creating a home that felt like me. Almost immediately, the ground beneath my feet began to tremble and a massive tree erupted. The trunk was thick, gnarled and dark, almost black. The branches twisted and spiraled upward in a way that reminded me of those old horror movies I used to binge-watch when I was still in training. Then in the center, a structure started to form. Suspended in the heart of the tree, a home appeared. Before I even had time to process what I was looking at, a ladder dropped with a heavy thud scaring me out of my skin.

It was a treehouse. In a dead tree.

Then it shimmered and vanished, cloaking itself from the human eye.

My first thought? “No freaking way this little shack is gonna keep me safe, I'm probably gonna die here.” but, I climbed the ladder anyway. It creaked and shook under me, but something told me to trust it. 

When I reached the top, I was speechless. The place was absolutely perfect. A cozy bed, a sturdy desk, even a charging crystal station tucked neatly in the corner. The walls were made of solid strong wood and the entire front was glass. It was inviting in the warm sunlight. I still can't believe the entire home materialized in under fifteen seconds. Neptune tech is something else.

So yeah, this is my home now, for however many years of my precious life. Not bad at all.

But even with this, I can't shake the feeling I need to stay alert.