The Departure: Cassie Mengundurkan Diri

I’m curious how the idea of blending aliens with everyday childhood adventures came about. Did the author want to explore themes of difference and acceptance through sci-fi?

The story seemed to take a breather before the climax — I wonder if that was intentional to build character or tension.

The alien aspects felt imaginative but grounded in real emotions. Did the author draw from personal childhood memories or observations?