Seeker found himself once again in Bright-Harbor. He stood at the edge of the vast ocean, waves crashing against the rocky shoreline. A young girl stood nearby, feet planted firmly in the sand, waving her fist in the air.
“Ooooh, look. Beautiful’s angry.” Laughter came from a group of boys standing just beyond her.
“Beautiful?” one boy jeered, laughing. “She’d look better in the dark!”
She stood there, trembling in rage, as their laughter faded into the distance. Her dress barely reached her skinned knees. Her straight hair—bleached almost blonde—brushed her shoulders. Lightning flashed across her freckled face. But there were those unmistakable lips.
“You… you’re Beautiful?” Seeker wasn’t even sure it was a question.
“Yeah,” she shot back, “do you want a black eye?” She stared at him for a long moment. Her fist slowly uncurled. Realization flooded her face. “Seeker? I didn’t recognize you, you dumb boy!” She beamed—and in a heartbeat the little homely girl turned into a stunning angel.
“Come on,” she called over her shoulder, already dashing down the shore, “I have so much to show you!”
