Prologue
A few years ago...
The sun was slowly sinking towards the horizon, colouring everything with its bright rays into golden tones. The air grew cold comparing to what had been a couple of hours ago. And no wonder - it was autumn now. Though it was still only September and the situation was in New York, it has been cold enough at night, and that's why there weren't many people on the streets. Maybe only in the subway...
- Look, I'm like a dragon! – said a little boy with joy and breathed out. A white cloud of steam broke out of his mouth.
- Yes, indeed, - grinned a young man, walking next to him. - You need to growl - and you'll be just like one!
- Well, it's easy: GR-R-RAH! – the boy roared with all his might and then laughed loudly.
His companion laughed too and straightened his scarf on the boy's neck.
- Okay, enough for today, or you'll catch cold and your father won't pat us on the head, - he said.
- Well... but then I won't need to go to school, - the little boy confused a little.
- Oh no, young man! It's not good to skip classes. Do you want to grow stupid, like... like... well... – the guy hesitated.
- Like Dave Mills, the hooligan in the neighborhood?
- That's right, like him.
- O-oh... - the boy wrinkled his nose, slightly pink from the frost. - No. I want... I want to be like my dad!
- In that case you need to be more patient for school, - the man gently patted him on the short blonde hair. - Your dad tried to study hard - and so you need too.
- Oka-ay...
- Good.
They left the park and turned to one of the broad New York streets. The man raised the collar of his dark green coat higher and straightened the maroon scarf. A strand of sandy blond hair stroke out on his eyes, and he had to remove it with his hand.
- Hey... - the boy who was walking behind him spoke after a short silence. His appearance now was not so cheerful.
- Mmm? - the guy turned around.
- Dad said that after the next mission you're going to leave... - continued the boy. - To England... - he looked up. – Is it for a long time?
The man sighed sadly and sat down in front of him.
- I hope not, - he said. - But... it doesn't depend on me...
The boy dropped his head again.
- Hey... - the young man reached into his coat's pocket and pulled out something a minute later. He took the boy's hand and put something cool in it.
He opened his hand... and saw a small silver cross on a chain. Instead of the crucified Christ it was decorated with a little angel with wings spread wide.
- Wow... - the boy breathed admiringly. - It's...
- A small gift before parting, - the guy smiled. – You should know: you have your guardian angel. And he'll never leave you alone. Even if your mom and dad will no longer be with you, he will...
- Always-always? - the boy looked in his companion's emerald green eyes.
- Always, - he nodded, looking back in clear blue eyes. - And in the hour of need you can always appeal to his aid.
The boy looked at the cross again, then at his friend.
- You are my guardian angel, right? - the question lightly surprised his companion. But then he smiled broadly.
- And you are smart. Though there's nothing to be surprised of... – the man patted the boy on the head. - Just let it be our little secret. Okay?
- Okay! - He nodded.
- Well, if so, let's go home. Your parents might miss you, I suppose!..
