Street lights flickered as a small figure ran through the city streets. Her ragged clothes were a bit too small. But from the outside, because of her appearance, one would not be able to tell this was actually a twelve year old little girl. She looked more like a nine or ten year old boy. Her short stature and her short hair made it hard to tell the difference.
It was winter and the last month of the year. It was a special day. A day that many got together with family and friends. All except those who were alone in this world. The little girl was one of these people who were alone. She had been alone since the age of seven since her mother passed away.
Since then, she had been surviving on her own, running through these sa city streets trying to fend for herself. The sidewalk she was currently on had snow piled up on each side. Only the path was cleared to allow people to walk down it. Although it was still early morning, the sky was still dark due to the grey clouds overhead. Snowflakes fell from the sky ever so slowly as they drifted along with the slight breeze that blew through the air.
With red cheeks and a bright red nose, the little girl turned the corner and made her way down an alley. In her arms was a loaf of bread that was still steaming from being pulled out of the oven. She had just snatched this bread from a bakery not far from her current location. The back door happened to be slightly ajar, so she was able to sneak in and grab one of the loaves that had just co out of the oven. Her little feet quickly made a retreat, bringing her to where she was now.
She found a spot between so trash bags and sat down. Licking her lips, she stared at the loaf of bread in her hand with a smile as she whispered softly to herself. "rry Christmas, Kana…"
The loaf of bread did not stand a chance against a little girl who rarely ate. Although the loaf was about the sa size as the little girl's face, it was gone within a matter of minutes. She rubbed her belly with satisfaction before standing back up and turning towards the trash bags. She kicked each one until she heard the sound she was looking for. She ripped open the black bag and dug through it, not caring for the sll or the slimy stuff that she was getting on her hands. When she found what she was looking for, her eyes opened wide as she pulled it out. It was a tin can, sothing she was going to use in hopes of making so money to get a better al later.
As it was Christmas day, many were out doing festive things, and because this was the season for giving, it was also the season for street rats like her to make a few extra coins. Her target was only a few bucks. She only wanted enough to go to a fast food place to pick up a small al. Only then would she feel that the holidays did not give up on her.
The little girl made her way to the street with her can in hand and found a sowhat dry spot to sit and put her can out in front of her. As the people walked by, so would look at her in disdain while others had looks of sympathy. But not many stopped to even give a single cent. Begging was not one of the little girl's best abilities as she was nervous when talking with people. So every year when she did this, she would never say a word unless soone put a coin in her can, and only then it was just a word of thanks and a rry Christmas.
As the day progressed on, The little girl looked at her few dollars and let out a sigh of relief. It was not much but enough for a small al. She was about to get up when she saw two sets of feet standing in front of her. She looked up and saw a middle aged couple who were wearing fancy clothes. The look in her eyes was not that of disdain but that of concern and pity.
"Little one, where are your parents?" The man asked. His voice was full of concern.
The little girl stared at the man for a minute, unsure if she should answer him or not. She bit her lip before finally lowering her head and saying: "My only family was my mother, but she passed away when I was seven…"
"My gosh!" The woman next to the man cried out. She covered her mouth, and tears seed to be welling up in her eyes. She turned and looked at the man next to her, her eyes sending a firm ssage. The man nodded in return, and the both of them knelt down. It was the woman who spoke next. "My na is Lysairth. What is your na?"
"Ka-Kana…" Kana replied softly. She did not understand why this woman was talking to her so. She was really wanting to go get a hot al.
"You're a girl!?" The woman exclaid in surprise. "Honey…" The woman began to cry as she suddenly pulled Kana into a hug. She did not seem to care one bit that Kana was dirty or if she slled.
"Wha!? I… I stink and am dirty… Your clothes…" Kana panicked. She could not pay to clean anyone's clothes!
"Silly girl… who cares about that." The woman laughed as she sat back and looked Kana in the eyes. "You see… Our daughter had just passed away not too long ago. We ca out of the house to try to break the gloomy mood at the house, but when we walked past you, I couldn't leave you alone. Such a small child sitting out here in the cold. No child should have to suffer like this. I may not be able to save all the holess children, but I can at least save you. Would you like to co ho with us? You can have a hot al and sleep in a warm bed…"
"Honey, if you speak like that, you will sound like a human trafficker." The man said with a chuckle. He then pulled out his wallet and showed pictures of their daughter to Kana. "This was our daughter. She was as cute as a button. But she got cancer and passed away. What my wife offered just now still stands. If you want to give it a try, you can co ho with us, and we will do what we can to give you a good life and treat you like our own daughter. We as a couple need soone to fill the void in our hearts, and I am sure our daughter would want us to do so as well."
"I… ummm…" Kana bit her lip and looked up at the couple whose eyes were filled with anticipation and nervousness. These were not the eyes of people trying to deceive her. She had seen many people who said many strange things like this and their eyes always held a hidden intent. But this couple's eyes were pure… She looked at them and opened her mouth as she answered…
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