as much to you； and maybe it wouldn't mean anything at all to other people； but it means the world to me； even if I don't fully understand it。〃
I WANT TO LIVE。
Over the next few years； the road back from the Wild Wood to the beauties and wonders of this world was not an easy one for Ariel。 There were times of despair when she seemed to make no progress at all； or even slid backward。
Eventually； however； a day came when they traveled with Ned and Jamie to that redwood grove。
They walked through the ferns and the rhododendrons in the solemn shadows under the massive trees； and Ariel said； 〃Show me where。〃
Chyna led her by the hand to the very place； and said； 〃Here。〃
How scared Chyna had been that night； risking so much for a girl she had never seen。 Scared less of Vess than of this new thing that she had found in herself。 This reckless caring。 And now she knows it is nothing that should have frightened her。 It is the purpose for which we exist。 This reckless caring。
1
1