All of my stories that I'm going to post are all within the same timeline unless noted otherwise with ((independent)).
This is story number one.
"No, Karen, it's too dangerous!" A raspy voice barked from behind the purple cape, the cloak draped across the figure hiding his face. Karen clutched the doorframe, a bit frightened by the hooded figure's stern voice of disapproval.
Karen was a small girl, a bit shorter than average for someone her age. Her bed-sheet hood fell off her head as she took a step back. She pulled it back up and hesitantly covered her face.
"B-but Ken-" she began.
"No!" The severity in the mysterious boy's voice grew, "you don't know of the dangers that are out there."
The boy turned to face the frightened girl, who was now only peering around the corner of the door frame.
"It takes more than just a costume, Karen," he stared down at the girl from under his dark mask, "and the streets of this putrid city is no place for a little girl like you."
A tear made its way down Karen's cheek, she quickly swiped it away with the back of her hand and she brushed away her dirty hair from under the hood.
"I-I just wanted to help you…" She was almost completely behind the door frame.
The hooded boy noticed the tremble in her voice. He walked towards her and kneeled down next to her. He looked into Karen's eyes and pulled off his hood and mask; a mop of golden hair fell onto his forehead, slightly glimmering in the dimlitted room.
"Look lil angel," he started, Karen peered out a little bit, "as your brother I've sworn on my life to protect you, at all costs."
Karen sniffled a little and looked down.
"Listen," he lifted her chin up, "I love you very much, and as much as it pains me to say this, I can't let you come with me, at least not tonight."
Karen stared at the cracked floorboards a little longer before saying, "you mean…?"
"Yes," the blond boy stood up and walked over to the open window, "one day you'll come with me."
Karen trotted up next to him and she stood on her tippy-toes to see out into the night.
"Really?" She asked in almost a sing-song voice.
The boy flipped the hood off of her head and ruffled her messy hair, "yes really, lil angel." He leaned down and put her hood neatly back on her little head.
"But for tonight," the boy lowered his own hood and situated his mask as he climbed onto the windowsill, "I go alone."
Karen swallowed the knot she had in her throat and she stuttered out "okay, be safe my guardian angel!"
Posed and ready to push off the ledge, Karen's guardian angel paused, "oh, and Karen?"
Karen's brown eyes shone through the moon-lit window, "yes?"
"Your costume is pretty awesome."
And with that, the boy leaped from the window and he was gone. Karen didn;t need to look to know he landed safely; he always did. Karen didn't need to worry, for as long as she had her guardian angel, she was safe.