Chapter 3 - Angel

At the edge of Amity Park, where there was a newly built two story cottage; Vlad laid by the boy's side. He quietly slept as the little angel also slept deeply in the bed, under the covers. He had already spent the morning since he arrived ordering the kid clothing, checking the internet for any information on angels, and checking the child's possessions for any indication of his name. By ten am he was beyond exhausted, and shortly after settling down to watch the boy he ended up dozing off.

The little boy opened his eyes and silently gasped as he was faced with the face of a grey haired man. He quickly got up and backed off, until he could clearly see. The man before him was sleeping so gently he looked as though he never meant the lad any harm. His eyes fell to himself for a moment.

He realized he hurt a lot as he moved, his body was healing but not fast enough for him. He teared up, eventually making a loud sniffling sound as he wrapped his wings around his thin shoulders.

The sound was enough to wake Vlad. The half ghost stirred before he shifted back into a sitting position. He turned his attention to the boy. "You're awake, little angel?"

The boy said nothing, but smiled nervously to him. He nodded and pointed a little finger at him.

Vlad smiled back. "I am Vlad Masters. What's your name?"

The little boy said nothing for a moment, looking down. Then he pointed to his throat. There Vlad could see a pale scar. He stared at it for a moment before he realized what the boy was trying to tell him. "You can't speak... You're a mute?"

The little one nodded.

"Well..." The billionaire gave it a thought before he got up, going over to a desk within the room. He grabbed somethings and returned to the boy's side. He placed down a book, a piece of paper and a pen. "Can you at least write your name?"

With a small nod the boy took up the pen, examining it a moment. Once he figured out where the ink came from on the simple device he began to write out his name, in big only slightly English letters. Naturally his writing was that of a childish skill. Vlad picked up the page as soon as the boy was done and squinted at the paper.

"Na... Ne... Se...Tha..." It took a bit before the half ghost thought he had it. "Nathaniel?"

With the mentioning of the lad's name his face brightened up. He nodded vigorously with a wide smile.

This made the smile on Vlad's face grow. He gazed down at the boy looking up at him with wide lavender eyes behind his slightly messy dark hair. The boy's gem shimmered, snapping the older man out of his stare. He nodded slowly.

"Well, Nathaniel, are you hungry?" When the boy nodded he reached over and took up the child, who wrapped his arm around his neck. Then Vlad took him down to the first floor. "Let's see what we have to eat. Then we'll get you something new to wear instead of these... Rags." He couldn't help but feel warm at how happy the child was.

After breakfast, picking him out a little outfit, and doing two quick modifications of the shirt for the wings; Nathaniel was dressed and resting quietly on the couch with Vlad. The half ghost sat quietly for a moment.

"Well, Nathaniel... I'd suppose you miss your home, and your family." He began, but the little one just shook his head, then looked down sadly. "What, do you not love your family?"

Nathaniel nodded quickly, but kept his eyes on the couch cushion.

"Then why don't you-" Vlad stopped, giving it a thought. "You have a family, yes? A mother, father, and siblings?" Nathaniel sighed, shaking his head, no. Then he perked, holding up his index finger and nodding, then shaking his head again, as though just remembering something.

"No?" Vlad's heart went out to the child. "Nathaniel... It's hard being an orphan. Perhaps... Can I be your family? I know this is sudden, but I feel quite close to you, boy."

Nathaniel bit his lip, his eyes slowly raising to look to Vlad. Then he smiled, reached up and hugged the older man.