Home for the Homeless

I stare out at the warm, golden, lights coming from the houses dotted along the hill, and for just a moment, I think about living in one. I shiver in my worn hoodie, and I bring my trembling hands to my mouth, touching the breath that seems to stain the wind. I wander mindlessly, footsteps crunching over frosted leaves. Then, a twig snaps, and I tense up in realization that it's not me. A bright light shines on my face, shocking me as I squint, recoiling. Aside from my fear, I look up once more, and I see a woman with a kind smile on her face... "What was it like out there?” Young Seok looks at me patiently, wrinkles crinkling as she shares a concerned smile. I hesitate, but I know that the question will come back even if I avoid it... “It was dark in the night, and it scared me for a while. That was until I finally realized that there was nothing to fear, as I was the monster in the dark. Even when skies were clear and blue,” I pause to look up at the sunny sky, "families and houses would be shown to me in more details than I could ever see in the night. I realized that this is everything that I didn’t have, and I thought that I would never have...Everybody that has homes say that home is safety and love, but what about those who don’t have homes?” my eyes well up, and I fight to hold back tears. “What about people like me?” The question hangs in the air, until Young Seok says gently “you have a home now.” Then she wraps me in a bear hug, tears streaming down my face. Yes, that is true... I’m finally home.