South Carolina, Summer 1998.
Devin stood at the very edge of the ocean. A fierce, salty wind brushed against his face. It was a perfectly fine, sunny day—the sky was an endless expanse of blue—but Devin's heart was as dark as a gathering storm.
Suddenly, hot tears streamed down his cheeks, a few quiet drops falling to lose themselves in the vast water below. "Life is cruel," he whispered to the empty horizon. “If only my parents were still alive.”
Then, out of the heavy silence, something in the sky caught his attention—a kite tumbling rapidly and nearly hitting him.
A girl hurried closely behind, determined to reach it before it touched the ground. She was petite and glowing with sunlight, with eyes as blue as the ocean and blonde hair flowing softly in the wind.
The kite landed dir
