This Way

DGM

Chapter 1

The Child

Anita stared out the window of her carriage and she sighed. Mahoja glanced at her and she offered a smile to her wonderful assistant. "Is something wrong Anita?" Mahoja asked.

"Nothing at all. I was only thinking." Anita said softly.

"About what?" Mahoja continued.

"Nothing much. I was just thinking about home. I do hope we get there soon. Don't you?" Anita asked.

"I do miss home." Mahoja confessed.

Anita sadly smiled, but that wasn't all that she was concerned about. She had something else on her mind, but she didn't want to tell Mahoja because no matter what, Mahoja couldn't do anything for her unfortunately. Staring back out the window, she found a small hill. A tree stood at the top triumphantly, but the sky shined a bright crimson tonight as the sun fell down. For some reason this place gave her a bad feeling and she soon found out why. "Stop the carriage!"

The carriage came to a sudden halt and Anita jumped out and ran up the hill. Mahoja followed behind her out of worry, but realized just what bother Anita. A small child was laying on the ground covered in blood. He sat by a grave and his left arm was evident due to tears on the sleeve. His left eye had a big slash going down his face and blood covered half of it. He stared at the ground beneath him and he was crying. Soft whimpers escaped his mouth, but not a word.

Anita kneeled in front of him, but he didn't look up. She read the tombstone behind him and sympathetically gazed at him. For some reason, she knew the Millennium Earl had stopped by. The blood was a giveaway, but it didn't necessarily mean it was a true guess. "Child, where is your family?" Anita asked gently.

The boy's cries got a bit louder, but he shook his head. Anita understood what he meant by it. She also knew that the glow in his hand proved it was possibly innocence. Perchance he may be an apostle. "We're taking him with us."

"To a hospital you mean?" Mahoja asked.

"No, by the looks of it, he's an orphan now. We're bringing him with us." Anita said.

Mahoja stared at her quizzically, but then a thought came to mind. She wanted to ask if her theory was correct, but the concern for the boy was greater for he fell over, unconscious. Rushing, they picked him up and headed straight for a hospital to have his wounds cared for. The child had been in far worst condition than they expected. Not only had he been injured, by if he had stayed out there much longer he would've had hypothermia. He was frail and his condition in a single word explanation was poor. The doctor at the hospital said he may very well die unless a miracle was bestowed upon him.

In the days that passed, Anita decided to take him home with her. Not only did she need to get home, but she thought it would be best for the boy there. The only problem was the travel. Home wasn't too much further, but all the same, it was quite the distance for one so ill. Still, she took the chance. Thankfully, his condition didn't worsen to an extreme extent, but he needed more care when they arrived.

Mahoja carried Allen to an empty bedroom with a large bed. His breathing was shallow and his face was as pink as a blossom. He was coming down with a fever in spite of his body being at a low temperature. Mahoja thought it had something to do with his face injury. Because it was odd and unusual. She noticed his hair turning white as well. This left Mahoja stumped and completely confused. Why would his hair be turning white? It was a pity too. His chestnut brown hair aligned his precious skin beautifully.

Anita tended to him as days went by and he stayed in a tranquil rest, hopefully a painless one. By now his hair was completely white and his body was warming up, but his mind still shut out from life. The doctor said he may be in a coma for a bit because his body was slowly healing itself and changing the temperature of his body. His body was adjusting to benefit himself, but considering how unhealthy he was, it would take some time. So to heal fully and quickly, his mind closed as his body did it's assigned functions.

It was probably for the best. If he woke up who knows how much pain he would experience and how disturbed he would be. Days turned to weeks and weeks eventually grew into a month. A little past a month, the boy woke up. Anita, of course, had been there beside him adding up the bills when his soft and quiet moan leaked out. Movement was clear as the body shifted along with the heavy blankets. Putting the papers down, she turned to look at him and his eyes cracked open.

Anita smiled gratefully, but the boy wasn't feeling the same. More like confused and lost. He knew he was at Mana's grave and those terrible events were impossible to forget. The pain searing through his left eye confirmed it wasn't just a dream. His body felt weaker than usual and he didn't think it was only because of the blankets pushing him down. Although, he knew he had no idea where he was or what was happening, he was saddened by the fact that Mana was dead. Tears ran dow his face and the bandage covering his left eye got soaked because of the running water.

As he sat up he groaned, but didn't care much. He was still crying and Anita touched his shoulder. "How do you feel?"

He wiped his eyes to try and get rid of the tears, but they continued to fall. He felt horrible, his body ached and he might lose sight in his left eye. As if he could remember right from left right now. He wanted to get out of bed and run away, but he could barely move his arms let alone his legs. "Do you have a name?" Anita asked.

He stared at her, but his vision was hazy. He thought he would've died, so why was he alive? His best guess was because of her. But why? Surely she saw his arm. He may have been covered in blood and that would normally scare someone or they would immediately help the person, but his arm always made them run away. His arm caused him a lot of pain. "Al-Allen."

Anita gently smiled in hopes of making him feel safe. Little as it was, he felt safe around her. With the way she looked at him and the way she spoke to Allen, he knew she was harmless. "I like the name. I'm Anita. You'll meet my friend Mahoja very soon. I should warn you, she looks big and scary at first, but she's really nice." Anita told him.

Allen nodded to let her know he understood because he just couldn't speak. Way too many rain drops fell down his face and his throat was dry, very sore. It hurt when he just spoke his name and his voice was cracking. "Do you have a home to return to or anybody to look after you?" Anita asked, taking a cautious approached.

Allen's cried harder and he shook his head. "Ma-Mana was all I-I ever h-had. My Fat-father i-is dead." Allen stuttered, hunching over.

Anita hugged him and his trembling body became still for a second. Then it shook once again as he cried on her shoulder. He had no idea why he was clinging to her, he didn't even trust her nor did he know her, but he found comfort in her. "I'm sorry Allen. I know what it's like to lose your only family. I lost my mother years ago, so I understand. Cry for as long as you want." Anita told him.

Allen wept harder and he gripped her tightly. A woman with bulging muscles walked in, but stood at the doorway and silently watched, deciding it best not to interfere. Allen ignored her, assuming she was Mahoja. He cried for a long time and until he was only whimpering with dried tears sticking to his face. His eyes were half-lidded and Allen was tired. He was on the brink of sleep, but he still kept his firm grip on Anita. Right now, she was his lifeline. "I don't think you want o go to an orphanage. Especially with your arm as it is. So Allen, would you like to live here with me?" Anita offered

Allen's eyes widened and he gasped, looking up at her smiling face. He had no mitt or glove to protect his hand and he had no doubt she saw his arm. So why would she offer him to live with her? She didn't even know him nor he her. The thought of it was sincere and put warmth in his icy heart. "Are yo-you serious?" Allen asked.

"I am."

Allen stared at her with watery eyes. He felt like he was going to cry again. Should he? Where else could he go and who else would accept him? He wouldn't go back to an orphanage either. "Yes, I. . . I would like that." Allen whispered. "I would love that Anita."

"Ten welcome home Allen." Anita murmured as Allen fell into a deep slumber.

Anita set him down on the bed and began to cover him up with a blanket which had fallen off him, but caught the sight of his left arm. It looked crippled and bloodied, but the green glow, she was sure it was because of innocence. He was a holder of innocence. Allen has already had it tough, she knew he did, but how much more difficult will life be for him with innocence embedded in his hand? "Is this wise Anita?" Mahoja questioned.

"I've always wanted a child of my own, but since I have no lover to have one with, I never did. This could be an opportunity for me and for him as well. I refuse to strand him and he has nowhere to go." Anita told her.

"I understand." Mahoja said.

"I'm glad you do." Anita replied and they both left the room.

Please let me in on your opinions. I have high hopes for this story. It will get better and it may be a biased opinion, but that's just me. I hope you liked the first chapter. Please review.