A knock sounded on my bedroom door early this morning. The sun hadn’t risen above the trees just yet. That’s how early each birthday Sister Marjie woke me in the mornings. I turned eighteen today. This would be the last time she would knock on my bedroom door in the mornings, for my birthdays. It saddened me to think about it but it was only the truth.

“Raven? Are you awake, dearest?” Sister Marjie called through the door. 

“Yes, Sister. I am awake on this horrid day.” I chuckled softly as I sat up on my bed while Sister Marjie creaked open the door. 

“Raven, it’s not the end of the world just yet. It’s not like we’re kicking you out.” She said with a soft smile as she walked over to sit beside me on the bed. 

“I know it’s not. I just don’t want to leave. This is my home, where I grew up. Where the people I care about are. I don’t know anyone out there in the world. I don’t know if I still have family, I don’t even know who they are or where they would be. They could have come for me if they really and truly wanted me back. No one ever comes here.” I sighed quietly and picked at my blanket, keeping my eyes averted. 

Sister Marjie brushed my hair away from my face and kissed the top of my head. “Sweetheart, you’re always welcome here anytime you wish to visit. You may not have family out there, but you must know by now you have family here. The world is a big place but I’m most certain you will find your place in it. You have nothing to worry about. So, let’s go eat breakfast. We all joined in and got you something special for your birthday. Get ready and come to the dining hall. I’ll meet you there.” She stood and gave a soft smile my way before shutting the door behind her. 

Something ominous was heading this way, I could feel it in my heart. I didn’t trust that today would be an altogether happy occasion like it normally would be for my birthday. It’s not that I didn’t trust Sister Marjie, I did. I just couldn’t shake the feeling of something going wrong. 

I sighed quietly after Sister Majie left and decided to get ready for the day, starting with a shower.  When I finished with my shower, I looked into the mirror and really looked at myself. Freckles splattered across my nose and under my eyes, my lips were a full light pink in color, my raven black hair had finally reached my lower back, my almost white blue eyes were the most captivating about me, not that I was proud of my features, but I liked my eyes the most. I wasn’t fat nor was I skinny in any way, I was healthy. I knew my body was toned due to the excessive workouts I’d been putting myself under. I shook my head at my height though, I was just three inches above five feet. I had at one point wished to be taller but I am who I am. Nothing is going to change that. I towel dried my hair and got dressed in my usual black ankle length dress. It was loose around my frame and had long sleeves to help against the chill that seemed to be everywhere in the old church. It had settled into the stones when winter hit and I didn’t think it would ever go away even if it was spring now. I smoothed the dress down my figure and slid my feet into my flats. 

“I guess I better not keep the Sisters waiting.” I muttered and walked out into the hallway, shutting the door behind me. 

I held my hands together as I headed to the dining hall to meet with everyone, keeping my gaze trained on the floor as I passed doorway after doorway, stained glass windows, and angelic statues that were left behind in the crooks of the old part of the castle. I didn’t want to look around at anything because I knew if I went out into the world, I’d never stay there. I’d immediately want to come back home. I looked up as I reached the arched doors that led into the dining hall. I squared my shoulders and lifted my chin, pushing the doors open to reveal everyone standing around the room, each of their faces smiling at me. I couldn’t help the tears that threatened to overflow. It felt as if my tongue had lodged in my throat, because I could barely swallow in order to calm myself as I walked over to Sister Marjie. 

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“Welcome, little Raven. Happy birthday. You’re a woman now.” She said loud enough for the other Sisters to hear. “You have been a beautiful child since you were left for us to care for. Each of us will never regret the day you were brought to us. You have such a kind soul and you will bring light to the darkest parts of this Earth, no matter where you may go, who you might meet along the way.” She reached out to cup my face in her hands. “We have been blessed to love you and you will always have a home here. Today, you will gather your gifts that you will receive throughout the day from each of us. Tomorrow you will head out into the world and whenever you so choose, come back to visit and tell us all about your travels, okay?” 

By now, tears were flowing freely down my cheeks and I inhaled a shaky breath before quickly wrapping my arms around Sister Marjie’s shoulders. “Thank you, thank you all so much for everything you’ve ever done for me.” I carefully took a step back and looked around the room at all the women that took in the child they didn’t have to. “I can hardly believe that my eighteenth birthday is already here.” I laughed quietly as I wiped my cheeks. 

“Here darling, come eat breakfast. Today you will have no duties, so you can do whatever you wish.” Sister Marjie said with a smile. 

I could see her eyes had glazed from the tears she was holding back but I decided to keep quiet. I walked over to see my favorite chocolate chip waffles sitting on the bar and a candle stuck in them. I quickly made a wish and blew out the candle. I grabbed some silverware and sat down to eat as the Sisters began to get busy with their duties. 

Throughout my meal, several of the Sisters brought my gifts. They ranged from clothes to shoes, even handmade bracelets and one brought a journal to me. She had told me to keep my thoughts written down and write about my travels so I don’t leave anything out when I come back to visit them. Just the thought of leaving again had tears gathering once again so I decided when I finished my food I’d take my new belongings into my room and begin to pack for the following day. 

*****

I was almost finished packing and was looking outside the window when a knock sounded on my door. I turned and said “Enter.” 

Sister Marjie stepped into the room and had a small gift box in her hands. “I wanted to be the last one to give you a gift. Here, little Raven. Open it and tell me what you think.” She handed me the small box and I gave her a soft smile as I looked down to the box.

Carefully pulling the bow, I take off the lid and inside is a silver necklace. The chain was thin but beautiful nonetheless. The charm on it was striking. It was a silver raven with a small ruby for its eye.

 I quickly looked up and smiled. “It's beautiful, Sister. Thank you so much.” I wrapped my arms around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. “Will you put it on me?” I turned around after handing it to her and she clasped it around my neck. 

“It’s absolutely perfect. I’m glad you like it. Now, seeing as how you’ve never been outside at night much while you’ve been here and I’m sure you’ll be outside at night out in the world, why don’t you go look and enjoy the stars in the gardens for a little while? It’s a clear sky and I think you’ll enjoy it.” She patted my shoulders with a grin. 

“Of course, thank you again. I’ll go right now!” I exclaimed and quickly put my flats on as I rushed out the door and headed towards the gardens.