Dallas Uley… AGE: 5

Amanda Chevalier…Age: 5

*1998…At the Texas Orphanage*

Amanda's POV

"Hey, Amanda, wake up!" A shrill cry reached my already sensitive hearing. I grabbed a pillow and covered my head, "Go away, Lucy!" the pillow muffled my hiss.

Cold hands tickled my feet, making me jump up and fall clumsily out of the bed and onto the floor. "Lucy…" I growled.

The small 3 year old giggled and twirled her delicate black tresses, trying to look innocent, "It's almost lunch and you haven't even gotten up!"

I sighed, "I always sleep in…" Lucy smiled brightly, "I know, but there's this new girl…and I wanted you to meet her!" She grabbed my hand. "Come on, she's with Ms. Brant!"

Slowly, I got up and put on some pants and a dark shirt, "…great…it's just another person that's going to call me a freak…why do I have to meet her, Lucy?"

Lucy pouted, "She will not call you a freak! I think she's lonely…and so are you…so I'm going to make you two become BEST FRIENDS FOREVER!" Lucy skipped around my gray room dubiously.

My eyes trailed to the door, *Such a strange girl…* I glanced at Lucy. *She's too innocent for her own good…lucky…* I let out a low sigh, "Well…let's go then…"

Lucy skipped into the hall, leading the way. I trailed after her, until we made it to a small room. There were two chairs and one was occupied by a small young girl, about my age. Ms. Brant was standing in front of her with a solemn expression.

*How I hate that woman…* I growled in my mind. "Ms. Brant! I brought Dallas a new friend!" Lucy chirped. The girl looked up, rather abruptly, "I don't need any friends…" she hissed, but I could tell she needed one.

I looked down, "…neither do I…" I turned and left the room. I started to run at least until I reached the swing set outside the orphanage. My mind was whirling that I never noticed the tears that stained my cheeks.

"…stupid girl…" I mumbled whipping my eyes. The wind blew past me, angrily, just like I wanted. I sat on the small brown swing and kicked at the dark dirt absentmindedly.

"What's wrong with me…? I can never make friends… I'm just a freak with no parents…" The sky darkened as I sighed and pulled at the metal chain of the swing.

"Everyone has at least one true friend…I know I did…" I looked up to see a small girl, around 7 or 8. She was translucent and dirty. She was covered in blood and dirt, far from living.

I stood up, "Who are you, Spirit?" I asked meekly. *There are so many Spirits in this orphanage…* the girl smiled slightly; "My name is Marie, but I don't know where I belong…" she looked down.

I pressed my index fingers to her temples, "I will guide you to your resting place…" I hummed as images flashed through my mind.

Darkness.

Fear.

Blood.

Death.

*Light…Go to the light…*

Slowly, I felt Marie's entity, her life force, start to disintegrate. My eyes opened to see her body shimmer and blow away with the wind. "Thank you…" a small whisper of wind blew through my hair.

I let out a small sigh, "Rest in peace, Marie…"

"Who are you talking to?" I turned to see that Dallas girl. She was staring at me oddly, like I was an alien or something weird. I glared, "Why would you want to know?" She sighed, "I'm sorry…about earlier. I was frustrated with my brother, Sam, and I took it out on you…I'm really sorry…"

"…It's ok, I guess…" her eyes brightened slightly. "I would like to be your friend, if you don't mind." She reached out and shook my hand awkwardly. "My name is Dallas Uley."

I let out a small laugh, "I'm Amanda Chevalier." She gladly returned the smile, "From now on we'll be the best of friends…promise?" I stared at our linked hands, curiously, "Promise."

*My…first friend…*