Prologue: December 25, 2004

"Merry Christmas!" a little tan haired girl said. Her silver, gray eyes bright with anticipation since it was Christmas day. Her father stirred and began to sit up and stretch.

"Good Morning Allen and happy birthday." He said ruffling her hair to make it messier. "Mana don't mess her hair up even more, we have guests later." His wife Rosalynne said. "Okay dear, why don't we get dressed and head downstairs for breakfast and birthday presents." Mana said, Allen happily agreed and ran back to her room to get dressed.

"Our little girl is growing up." Rosalynne cooed, and then sighed. "Her birthmark is getting bigger and her hair is lighter again." She said thoughtfully as Mana climbed out of bed. "I know but she is one of the healthiest six year olds in her class. She'll be fine Rose." Mana stated wisely. "She's seven now Mana."

Allen had a large birthmark that took up the left half of her face. Right now her parents couldn't tell what the shape was but they were sure that one day it would be clear enough to tell. Every year since she was four, her hair got a shade lighter and was now a dark tan color. It would be completely white by the time she was 13. Allen's appetite had also grown as well; she could eat enough for two adults and be full. Despite this they loved their little Allen dearly, as did their friends and family.

"Do you think he'll come this time?" Mana asked sadly "Perhaps he will instead of just sending gifts like he did before." Rosalynne said hopefully. It seemed that Mana's brother wouldn't be joining them again. The last time they had seen him was at Allen's birth and left after giving a blessing of good luck.

"Mama! Papa!" Allen called again "Are you getting ready?" "Yes we are Allen." Mana called back laughing as he got dressed in something comfortable, but dressy enough in case guests arrived early. "I'll be waiting downstairs." And Allen's running feet could be heard as she climbed down the stairs. "No peaking!" her mother called after her, Rosalynne could here giggles.

Rosalynne decided on a light green dress and silver shawl. Silver studs were placed in her ears and her feet slipped into silver heels. Mana picked gray slacks with a green button up shirt. His shoes looked freshly shined and black were put on his feet. He decided to put his hair in its usual low ponytail and Rosalynne put hers in a messy bun.

"Don't you look handsome" Rosalynne smirked and Mana laughed "And you look very beautiful yourself Rose." He said giving her a quick kiss "Let's not keep the birthday girl waiting okay." She nodded and they headed downstairs.

"Mama you look so pretty!" Allen said cheerfully from her spot on the couch. For a seven year Allen was a bit of a prodigy, so she could dress herself rather well. She'd picked out a red ruffled dress with white tights. On her feet, black Mary Jane's that shined underneath the living room lights. Her earlier bed head had been brushed down to its natural wavy state.

"What about your papa?" Mana asked, faking a hurt expression. Allen paused and thought for a moment then smiled cheekily "Papa looks handsome too!" they laughed, when all of a sudden the doorbell rang.

"Oh guests already?" Mana muttered and headed towards the door. "Must be Cross." He said and he could hear his daughter shout her excitement. Mana opened the door to indeed find that it was Cross and Anita waiting. "Hey Mana, Merry Christmas." Cross replied while Anita hugged him. "Welcome Cross, Anita. You both look very well." Mana led them towards the living room. "Hey there kid, happy birthday." Cross said picking up Allen.

"Uncle Cross, Auntie Anita! You came." Allen exclaimed while hugging Cross's neck. "Of course we came Allen; you know we hate to miss your birthdays." Anita said tickling her. Cross set her back down and turned to Mana. "Did he send anything?" he asked knowing his childhood friend would know who 'he' was. "No there's nothing this time." Mana answered looking down. "Don't worry I doubt she'll notice, especially after this."

Cross reached into his pocket and pulled out a yellow, robotic cardinal with a cross on its chest. He pressed a button on it and it came to life and began flying. "Oh Cross it's so cute." Rosalynne gushed. "Thanks I made him myself, he's called Timcampy." Cross said with a swell of his chest. "He's pretty…" Allen said in awe, Timcampy flew over to her and landed on her head. She giggled as he made himself comfortable in her hair.

"He's also a recorder and can hold years' worth of data. I thought he could be a companion for Allen." The birthday girl tackled his legs in a hug while somehow keeping Tim on her head. "I love it Uncle Cross!" "I'm glad you like it." Cross patting her head, then the bell rang again and Mana went to answer again.

When he came back a blonde haired woman with a small sized monkey came in after him. "Well if it isn't Cloud Nine." Cross said with a smirk. "Cross" she said with a small scowl on her face that disappeared when she turned to Allen.

"Hello Allen and how is the birthday girl today?" "She's doing well. How are you Miss Cloud?" Allen asked cutely. "I'm also doing well. I'm sorry I won't be able to stay long but I still got you something." She reached in her pocket and got out a gift card. "Because I know how much you and Rose like to go shopping, especially at Macy's."

Cloud handed the $100 gift card to Rosalynne, who nearly squealed and showed it to Allen. "Now we can go Christmas shopping for back to school clothes." Allen cheered and hugged Cloud again. "I'm sorry I can't stay longer." Cloud said as she headed for the door "Happy birthday Allen and Merry Christmas."

9:00 pm

"Drive safe you two." Rosalynne said as she hugged Anita. "You know I will Rose, good bye and good night." She said as she walked a drunken Cross back to the car. Mana held Allen with Timcampy on her head. She'd tired herself out playing with her gifts and stuffed herself silly. "She's so cute when she's asleep." Mana said as he carried her upstairs.

Allen received music sheets (Mana loved to hear her play), dresses (Rosalynne liked to dress her up), hair clips (Anita enjoyed playing in her hair) and lots of dolls from their neighbors and friends. She was very popular in school.

"Good night, my little musician." Rosalynne whispered as she tucked Allen in her bed and kissed her forehead. Mana did the same and they exited the room.

Mana's study 10:00 pm

"Mana are you still writing?" Rosalynne asked. "Oh, yes I am, I just feel like I need to write this in case he comes back and I'm not here." His response told Rosalynne that he thought he'd be dying soon.

"I guess he didn't send a gift this time?" Rosalynne inquired, walking over to her husband. "No he didn't" Mana replied almost angrily but it had a more annoyed tone in it. "Perhaps it's late because of the snow." She countered. "Hopefully, but I think I'm going to go to sleep now." He stated with a yawn. "Good up to bed with you." Rosalynne said nearly dragging him out of the chair.

11:00 pm

"Allen? Allen!" Rosalynne shouted through the burning house. She and Mana had split up to get Allen and call for help. She'd found Allen still in her room crying and clutching her left arm, screaming for her and Mana. Rosalynne gasped when she saw her arm, it had third degree burns up to her shoulder, the skin was peeling off and the room smelled like roasting flesh.

"Oh Allen" she cooed before coughing. She took one of Allen's good blankets of her bed and wrapped it around Allen and made her breathe into it. Careful not to aggravate her arm, Rosalynne picked up her daughter and ran down the stairs and out of the house.

Unfortunately Mana was nowhere in sight, yet Cross and Anita were there behind the police line. "Cross! Anita!" Rosalynne called to them before nearly falling in a coughing fit. The paramedics ran to help her and Allen. "Please take care of Allen first." She pleaded to them. They took one look at the seven year old and immediately carried her to the ambulance. While two other EMTs ran from their ambulance to care for Rosalynne.

Cross and Anita ran to her and began asking questions. "I don't know, Mana said he smelled smoke and then- wait where's Mana?!" she cut herself off and began to panic. "Calm down Rose he's in the ambulance with Allen." Anita said in an effort to soothe her, which worked. Rosalynne pushed herself up and began to make her way to her family.

"Ma'am you mustn't move so much." One of the paramedics told her but she ignored them in favor of being with her loved ones. As she approached Allen reached out for her from her spot next to Mana. Rosalynne picked up her pace when a gun fired and she stopped suddenly. Allen's eyes and the eyes of the bystanders widened as Rosalynne tried to speak but all that came out was a gurgling sound and some blood. Her blood.

She touched her neck and found that part of it was missing. Staring at her bloody hand told her what she needed to know as she collapsed to the ground. "Mama!" Allen cried in terror and tried to run to her only to have the doors shut and be driven to the ambulance. "Rose!" Cross shouted.

He and Anita ran to her, Anita cradled her neck as Cross gripped her hand. The EMTs had to bring more supplies in order to attempt to save her. She gasped for breath as she felt around for Cross's collar, her spasms getting more violent with each second. "T-take care o-of A-Allen p-please."

Her hand fell and Cross moved away to let them try in vain to revive her, but Cross knew there was no bringing her back, those were her final words. "Anita" Cross called and she stood up "we're going to the hospital."

At the hospital 11:50 pm

"I'm looking for Allen Walker and Mana Walker." Cross said to the receptionist. At first she looked annoyed the saddened "I'm sorry but Mr. Walker has already passed." She said with actual remorse. Anita gasped and tried to hold back her sobs as Cross rubbed her shoulders. Then he perked up slightly.

"What about Allen? Is she still okay?" the receptionist looked at them "We can only allow family to see her now" "I am her family, I am the only family she has left!" he nearly shouted. "Please she just lost both her parents tonight, let me see her." He pleaded softer.

"Excuse me" a doctor said stepping into the conversation, his name tag said Ryan Johnson. "Are you perhaps Cross Marian?" he asked and Cross nodded. "Is Allen okay?" "Yes she's just fine but Mr. Walker asked that if you do come here, to give you this." Dr. Johnson handed him a wooden box.

"If you wish to see Allen, please follow me." While following the doctor Cross opened the box to find a will and statements if anything were to happen to him or Rosalynne. 'So he knew what was going to happen.'

Before he knew it, they were in front of Allen's room in the children's wing. The doctor knocked on the door "Allen, it's me Dr. Johnson, you have visitors." He said gently through the door, and then opened it slowly. "Look who came to visit, Allen." She looked up and stared for a moment before returning her eyes back to the edge of the bed. Her eyes didn't hold their usual light, and looked darker than they were supposed to be. It was as if someone had sucked the life out of her and it broke both Anita and Cross's heart to see her like this.

"Hey Allen" Anita said carefully "How are you feeling?" Anita asked sitting on the edge of the bed and rubbing her back gently. "She hasn't spoken since" Johnson whispered "Mr. Walker's passing." Cross nodded in understanding. "Unfortunately her left arm has been severely burned and is now permanently scarred." It will heal but I'm afraid the flesh won't scab over because the damage was too great. Her arm will remain like this for a very long time."

Cross grunted frustration, he hadn't thought that she was this bad off. "There is also the issue of who she will be staying with from now on." "She'll stay with me. Both her parents have no one else but each other and her." Cross said walking towards Allen and petting her hair. The pressure made Allen look up at Cross. 'I'll honor their wishes.'