My name is Marik Ishtar, I'm 20 years old today, though I don't feel like celebrating. What's the point? It's just a reminder that the love of my life has been gone for six years.
Reaching into my pocket, I pull out the only thing I have left of her.
It's a note, wrinkled and torn from many unfolding and refolding and yellowed from age. I open it once more, though I have memorized it's contents.
My beloved Marik,
Words cannot describe how much I care for you, and it is because I care for you is why I am leaving. Please do not think it is because of you I am leaving, I need not burden you with problems that aren't your own.
Do not look for me, as Someday soon, I will come home.
Forever yours,
~Annastasia
I shut my eyes, willing the tears back.
Standing, I gathered my coat, and headed into the snowy Domino streets.
Marik watched the scattered feeding frenzy known as Christmas shopping with humorous interest as seemingly all of Domino city had forgotten to the shopping.
A young girl, curled up in a ball caught his eye. Not seeing any adults around her and worrying for her safety, Marik approached her, bending down to bring her to eye level.
Her platinum blonde waves fell messily down past her shoulders, her bangs pulled back by a maroon bow. She was wearing a maroon dress with a white sweater jacket, white leggings and black mary-janes.
"Why are you sitting here all alone?" He asked.
The girl snapped her head up, tears in her aquamarine eyes. "I can't find my Mommy."
"Why don't we try and find her? She couldn't have gone very far."
Taking the girl by the hand, the pair set off to find the missing mother.
"What is your name?" Marik asked, trying to start a conversation to cheer the girl up.
She started to answer when her eyes widened."Mommy!"
The girl embraced a tall brunette, presumably her mother.
"Kessandra Arianna Jonee, don't you ever scare me like that again." The mother mumbled into her daughter's hair.
Marik turned to leave when Kessandra spoke. "Mommy, This nice man helped me find you!"
When the mother looked up at him, the color drained from her face.
"Marik..."