L̸͟͞o̸͟͞c̸͟͞k̸͟͞e̸͟͞d̸͟͞ A̸͟͞w̸͟͞a̸͟͞y̸͟͞❀

Chapter 02

            ༺🅐︎🅒︎🅒︎🅘︎🅓︎🅔︎🅝︎🅣︎༻

The moonlight danced around the two friends as they strolled back home from the store, their laughter echoing in the night. The little girl had a craving for something sweet, and the boy was always determined to make her wishes come true.

When they reached her house, she wrapped her arms around him in a warm goodbye hug. And as usual , he waited, ensuring she made it inside safely. Despite being so young, he had the heart of a true gentleman. He could have easily gone home since he lived right next door, but the thought of his dear friend being safe brought him comfort.

As she approached her front door, a familiar voice rang out, "Amy! My sweet baby. We're home!" Her mother called from the passenger seat, while her father waved enthusiastically from the car window as they maneuvered into the garage.

Little Amy beamed with joy, sprinting towards her parents. She had missed them all day, as they had left early for work, reminding her to be a big girl and behave.

Richard felt a warm smile spread across his face as he watched his friend rush to her parents, happiness radiating from her.

Just as he turned to head home, a sudden, piercing screech shattered the peaceful night. His heart raced as he glanced back, eyes widening in horror. Without a second thought, he dashed toward her.

In a split second, he reached her just in time, pulling her close as they tumbled to the ground, narrowly escaping the oncoming car.

He examined her for any signs of injury, but his attention was abruptly diverted by a deafening crash. They both turned slowly, dread pooling in their stomachs as they beheld the car that had nearly taken her life, now wrecked against her parents.

The girl let out a piercing scream, her small body writhing in Richard's embrace, but he held her firmly, his gaze fixed on the horror before them. Blood seeped from the mangled vehicle, and an eerie silence enveloped the scene.

Richard grasped the grim reality of the situation, while the little girl remained blissfully unaware. Not even when the ambulance arrived, nor when they began to remove her parents' lifeless forms, did she comprehend the truth.

This was far too heavy a burden for a seven-year-old. Her voice had vanished, swallowed by the weight of loss.

"My child, I'm so sorry!" Richard's mother cried, rushing to take the girl from her son, cradling her in a desperate embrace.

"Why... did... they take... them?" she stammered, her words laced with confusion and pain.

"They had to take them, little one," Richard's father replied gently.

"But... they... they’re just... sleeping."

The three adults exchanged glances, grappling with the impossible task of explaining the unexplainable. Before Richard's parents could find the words, he interjected.

"They took them to get better!"

His parents stared at him, stunned by his outburst.

"Get better?"

"Yes. That’s why they took them. Until they get better, you’ll stay with us. With me. Do you want that?" he asked softly, arms outstretched, hoping she would find solace in his embrace.

The girl met his gaze and nodded, crawling from his mother’s hold into his. She nestled against him, finding comfort as he gently stroked her back.

"It’s going to be alright, Amy. I promise"