JustAnotherFanGirl2004: Rose will actually have an easier time forgiving her than you think, but that's partially because she's just a reasonable kid and - while running out like that was just her emotions overwhelming her - she knows Anne couldn't do anything. There's also something else you find out in this chapter that I hinted at a bit in Chapter Two when Anne said her family wasn't so great.

I like your idea for Timothy, and I may do it. However, I don't think Rose could ever fully forgive him, so maybe they can just become acquaintances someday.

Green Meadow1870: It's fine that you don't have any ideas, but let me know if you do! As for her name, I thought some more about it and I think I might just leave her nameless. It adds more mystery to her, plus if I name her I could accidentally insult someone with the same name. And thank you! I'm glad you like how my writing is becoming better!

Chapter Eleven

People along the street by Barnum's Circus were going about their day. One woman and her friend were buying dresses for their daughters, a couple strolled arm-in-arm on their afternoon walk, and children played with each other in the streets.

Eight-year-old Vivian Prewett was playing with her best friend Ella while their parents talked on the side. The two girls were chasing each other, being careful to not crash into anyone. Vivian stopped and looked at the circus.

"Ella?" she said softly. "Do you think our parents will ever let us meet someone from the circus? Or go there? Kassie said that it was pretty and covered with colored lights! She said she saw a girl who was only ten bend her body into all sorts of shapes!"

"Wow," Ella breathed, staring at the looming building. "I hope so! She sounds amazing!"

Vivian nodded her agreement, and the girls went back to their game, forgetting about the conversation.

But only a few minutes later, the doors to the circus were flung open and a few people turned to look as a girl ran out. Vivian and Ella didn't notice, but when Vivian tripped she fell on the girl, who was running past.

"I'm sorry!" she gasped, remembering how her parents told her and Ella they could only play if they didn't run into anyone.

The girl looked at her, blinking a few times like she was processing the words.

"I- It's fine," she muttered. "You okay?"

"Girls!" Vivian's mother screeched. "Get away from her!"

Ella noticed her mother looking annoyed, and was worried it was at the nice girl who wasn't angry at Vivian for crashing into her.

Meanwhile, Vivian jumped up, surprised at her mother's voice.

"I'm sorry Ma'am," the mystery girl next to her muttered.

"My daughter and her friend don't need to be associated with Negro filth like you," the woman scoffed in disdain, grabbed Vivian roughly by the arm and dragging her away with Ella following.

The doors to the circus opened again, and Anne rushed out, panicked.

"Rose, I'm sorry! Wait!" she shouted, but the moment Rose saw her her eyes filled with tears and she started running again.

When Rose ran through the streets, it was in a way that she had when she was younger and running from people who wanted to hurt her. A blind, fast way.

Rose tripped and the broom clattered loudly against the stone. The sound woke her up and the door was flung open angrily. Her room was right next to where Rose was sweeping, she didn't know what she had expected.

No, no, no!

"USELESS CHILD! YOU KNOW WHERE I SLEEP?! WHY DID YOU WAKE ME?!"

The voice wouldn't go away, why wouldn't it go away?

"I- I'm sorry!"

She was sorry, why did the pain come if she was sorry?

"I DON'T CARE! YOU ARE A CARELESS CHILD AND NEED TO BE TAUGHT A LESSON! STOP WHIMPERING!"

The pain, the pain would come. She prepared herself for the impact.

Panicked, Rose took off running. She had to run, otherwise the pain would come and the voice would hurt her.

"Rose? Are you okay?"

What was happening? No one would save her. Why would another voice save her and be kind to her? Why would it bring her warmth and happiness?

"Rose, flower, talk to me."

"What did I do? Why did she hurt me? Why- why does the pain always come back?"

As the new voice spoke to her, Rose ran down the same path she always took to get to the roofs. Her place.

"Rose, listen to me. You didn't do anything. She did. She hurt you because she is afraid, because she's afraid of you. She wants to hide that and to not be afraid, so she makes you afraid of her."

Afraid of her? When did this happen?

"Why?"

"I don't know. But I do know one thing. You didn't deserve it, and never will. And you're stronger and better than her. You have people who love you, and I'm one of them. Remember that Rose."

Today. After she came back. That's when it happened. It was Anne.

She collapsed and crumbled as tears fell from her eyes and speckled the ground.

"Rose?"

It was the same voice that comforted her. Anne.

"Rose, come here."

Warm arms wrapped around her and held her close, and she realized they weren't imaginary. Anne was here.

She remembered what had happened, that she was supposed to be angry, but she couldn't be. Anne hadn't known until it was too late, she hadn't known what would happen. And she was here now.

"Why would they do that Anne?" Rose sobbed. "Leave me with- with-"

"They didn't know, flower," Anne muttered, stroking Rose's hair as a few tears fell from her own eyes. "They thought they were giving you your best chance, they didn't know."

"Didn't they love me?"

"Of course they did. They just...didn't have enough money. They didn't know what to do, so they chose what seemed best at the time."

"But it wasn't."

"No, it wasn't."

There was silence, then-

"Rose, did I ever tell you I was abandoned?"

"W-What?"

"My father was white. When he had an affair with my mother - a black woman - he was married. She didn't know, and her husband had just died so she was lonely and grieving. She told him, but he didn't even want to claim the child. He said it wasn't his and walked out of her life forever, leaving her pregnant and with a five-year-old son."

"And you were the..."

"That baby. She was always troubled while I grew up, and it was mainly WD raising me."

"You're abandoned too. You're like me."

"But I found a family in my brother and in the circus. You've done the same, and now you need to trust that family. You need to let us in, let us help you."

"How can anyone help me?"

"Honestly, I'm not sure even I can heal all the damage that...woman...has inflicted on you, but I'm willing to try and fix a little by doing the only thing I can. Being here for you whatever happens."

There was silence, where Anne just held Rose.

"I'd like that."

When they returned, it was night. But no one attacked them because Anne could definitely hold her own, and knew exactly what could happen.

By the time they walked through the circus, everyone was nerve-racked and panicking. Caroline and Helen had told Anne where Rose always hid when she wanted to be alone, so that was where she went.

But she'd been gone for a while, and they were getting worried. No one had forgotten what had happened to Rose a few months ago when she went out with just Caroline and Helen.

"Anne!" Phillip exclaimed when he saw her. "Is she-"

"She's fine."

When he saw Rose, he ran forward and threw her arms around her, hugging her tightly. To everyone's surprise, Rose hugged back and started crying.

But they were happy tears. While she cried, she whispered - so only Anne and Phillip heard, "I have a family. I have you."

Anne broke into a huge smile and joined the hug. As the three moved to the ground, still hugging, Charity turned and whispered to Phin, "What do they look like?"

He frowned for a moment, then smiled and said, "A family."

Okay, I need help now. Next chapter is Rose's birthday, and I need to know what you want to see them do for it. Anything you want to happen?

Please review and tell me what you thought of this chapter, and the ending.

-Creator of Magic