"What is it Emma?" Sarah leant over the back of the couch where the young girl was lying down and laid a soft, loving hand on her side. Emma had only been at the house for a month and already Sarah felt as though she had known the girl her whole life. She looked so like Helga and occasionally acted like her that Sarah would have to catch herself from calling out her sister's name.
"All of my drawings. Kevin ripped them up." She sounded so desperately sad and lonely. Sarah couldn't help but notice how the other children made fun of Emma and how the young girl failed to fit in. It wasn't her fault though, soon Emma would realise how much better she was than all of them. Soon she would see the magic she held within her, all thanks to Sarah. With the two of them together… They could rule the world. She just had to get Emma to love her first. That was what she wanted most, after all: a family that loved her. Sarah came around the front of the couch and lifted Emma's legs up so she could sit down beside her. The girl sat up straight and immediately Sarah put her arm around her. Emma flinched only slightly but she did that a lot when people got too close. She always thought a fight was only moments away.
"I'll have a word with Kevin and I promise he won't rip up anything else of yours ever again," Sarah promised, "In the meantime, I would love it if you could make more of these lovely drawings. For me to keep, that is. You've got great talents Emma. If only you knew how talented you were…" Sarah had drifted off without realising. Emma was looking at her curiously.
"Talented? Me? You barely know me Sarah. I honestly don't know why you…" It was Emma's turn to drift off this time. She looked at her feet sheepishly and I had to ask her to finish her thought four times before she conceded. "I don't know why you care so much. It's not like I'm your daughter or anything." Emma mumbled. Sarah felt her chin tremble uncontrollably as she gathered Emma up in her arms and hugged her close. She buried her face in Emma's soft blonde curls and tried to lock this memory away for later.
"To me, you are family. I feel as though I've known you for a thousand years Emma. I feel like we're kindred spirits. Do you feel it Emma?" Sarah asked her, taking Emma's chin softly in her hand and making the girl look up at her. She caressed her cheek with a gentle touch, feeling the force of Emma's magic through the contact and knowing it to be stronger than she could have ever predicted. She was definitely the saviour which meant the prophecy was coming true.
"I do feel as though I know you. Or that you feel familiar somehow. Sarah, you really are the nicest person I've ever stayed with. Do you treat all the kids who stay with you this way?" Emma asked.
"Only the truly special ones." Sarah said.