Charlie woke early in the morning as the sun was just beginning to rise in the sky. She changed her clothes, picked up her bow, and headed out towards the woods to hunt.
Some years had passed since the war against the patriots. For the most part, everything was peaceful. There were still small bands of patriots and those under their control from the reprogramming camps out there that reared their ugly heads every so often. Charlie didn't mind a battle every once in a while. They had moved around in the beginning, helping the Texas rangers clear out the evil in Texas and help those in need with what they could.
Now they had come to settle outside the town of Willoughby where her mom worked on her new project of trying to deprogram the victims of the patriots. And Miles was always by her side. Bass had a tent at their makeshift camp and was around from time to time, when he wasn't off looking for his wayward son or patriots to kill. Aaron and Priscilla were here as well, although Priscilla had been putting pressure on him lately to find a place in town to settle down. Charlie didn't see that happening very soon though. Aaron liked being around her, Miles, and her mom. He also felt useful in assisting Rachel with her project and research.
Charlie knelt down to examine some deer tracks. They were fresh. Charlie followed them. After a few moments of tracking she stop when heard the sound of a twig shaping and leaving rustling. Charlie loaded her bow and crouched behind a tree. She could hear the sound of movement coming closer and closer. She could almost smell the deer meat cooking. Charlie pulled back on her bow and swung around the tree to make her kill. But she froze when she saw that she was not pointing her arrow at a deer, but a little girl.
The little girl gasped and became as still as a statue when she saw Charlie's arrow pointing straight at her. She was blond with light curls and blue eyes. She was wearing a dirty white shirt, tattered jeans and no shoes.
Charlie lowered her bow. "What are you doing out here kid?" She said a little too harshly.
"Walking." The girl answered.
"Oh yeah? Where are your parents?" Charlie said, relaxing her tone and putting her bow away.
"I don't have any." The girl answered politely.
"Did they die?" Charlie asked.
The little girl shrugged.
Ok well.. What's your name?" Charlie said, approaching her.
"Spera." She said.
"Hi Spera, I'm Charlie." Charlie told her.
Spare smiled at her.
"Can I help you find your way back to somewhere?" Charlie asked.
Spera shook her head. "No, I'm on a special mission."
"What kind of special mission?" Charlie questioned.
"I'm looking for a lady. She's very pretty. I think she might be an angel, but I don't know." The girl said, looking at Charlie very sincerely.
"Umm.. Ok. How old are you?" Charlie said.
"Seven." Spera said holding up her fingers.
"Why don't you come with me.. I have a camp not too far here... you could have a bite to eat?" Charlie said. This kid was weird, but she couldn't just leave her out here all alone.
"Ok." Spera said, coming up to take Charlie's hand and looking up at her with a smile.
"Right.. ok." Charlie said as she led the girl to the camp.
Miles was out tending the fire as they approached. Charlie called out his name and he waved at her.
"Who's your friend?" Miles asked when Charlie and Spera entered the camp.
"I'm Spera and I'm on a special mission." Spera told him brightly.
Miles stared at the girl for a few moments before looking up at Charlie. "Put it back where ever you found it."
"Miles, she's all alone. I found her wandering in woods." Charlie said.
Miles looked back at the little girl. "Think she belongs to someone in town?"
"I don't think so.. I think her parents are dead." Charlie replied.
"Well, I guess we can look after her for now." Miles said.
Charlie smiled. "Spera this is my uncle Miles."
"Hi." Spera said with a smile.
Just then Rachel came out of the tent.
"And this is my mom-"
"Rachel!" Spera said cutting her off and running forward to hug Rachel's leg tightly.
Rachel looking down at the little child hugging her leg before looking back at Charlie for some kind of clarity.
Charlie stared back for she could offer none.
"I found you!" Spera said happily, still hugging Rachel. "I finally found you!"