"Out there people"

Snoring filled the house as the little girl entered the house. She was small, only about 8 or 9 years old. Her curly blond hair plastered to her forehead from the rain outside. She needed a place to stay that was warm and dry and she found it. She walked into the room where what seemed to be a man sleeping on the floor in front of the fire place. She walked over to the man and looked down at him. She was curious but not that curious. She turned to walk away, and noticed some snack cakes spread out on a table. She quietly ran over and took one of them, opening it and eating very fast. What she didn't know was the crinkling of the plastic had awoken the man behind her. He sat up and looked at the little girl, his head tilted to one side in curiosity. The girl turned to move to the chair and saw the man looking at her. She jumped in surprise when she saw his face. It was the face of an animal... a dog face. She froze to the spot. She was scared of what he might do. But then he smiled at her. This made her relax a little. He stood up and walked over to her. He took another snack cake and handed it to her. She looked up to him not knowing what to do...

"Eat..." he simply stated

She took the snack and ate it just as fast.

"Hungry? Really hungry?" he asked

The little girl nodded to him. He smiled sadly at the little girl.

"My name Joshua... what's your name?" he asked

The little girl looked over to him. She didn't know what to say to him, to Joshua.

"Jamie..." she mumbled

Joshua smiled again and motioned for the girl to take his place by the fire as he sat in his arm chair with a book. Jamie sat in front of the fire and looked up at Joshua. He was like a giant to her. But he seemed so kind and gentle. She smiled remembering her big brother.

"Sorry I broke in Joshua..." she apologized

"It's okay. Needed company." Joshua replied with a smile

Jamie smiled back a little more easily. Her fear of the man seemed to melt away after a little bit. Watching him sit and read the book labeled 'little woman' made her wonder more about him. Jamie lay down on the pile of pillows and closed her eyes. For the first time in the past few months she finally felt safe...

After unknowingly drifting off to sleep Jamie woke up to a woman's voice...

"Joshua who is she?" the woman asked

"Jamie." Joshua stated

Jamie sat up and looked around and heard Joshua tell the woman that she was awake. Joshua appeared in front of the little girl and smiled.

"Rise and shine!" Joshua said

Jamie looked up at Joshua and smiled in reply. The woman walked over to Joshua and Jamie and smiled.

"My name is max, Jamie right?" max asked

"Yeah, nice to meet you..." Jamie replied her smile slightly vanishing.

"Where is your family Jamie?" max asked again

"I don't have any family... your going to make me leave aren't you?" Jamie said looking down at her knees

Max looked at Joshua and looked around at the apartment. Then remembered a vacant bedroom in the back.

"I don't think we have to do that. There is an extra bedroom past the kitchen." said max

Jamie looked at max and smiled gratefully. Jamie turned back to Joshua and gave him a hug.

"Thank you guys." she said almost in tears

Max took Jamie to the back bedroom and opened the door. The room was almost in perfect condition. The bed had a dark blue quilt spread across it and a pretty wooden dresser under the boarded up windows. Jamie smiled at the sight of the little room. But then she realized something...

"I don't own anything..." she said to max

Max looked down at Jamie and smiled.

"I am sure I can get you some stuff..." max replied

Jamie smiled up at max and went into her new bedroom. Joshua stood behind max and smiled at his new little friend bouncing on her bed. Max leaned back against Joshua and smiled. Max couldn't believe Joshua adopted a little kid into his life so quickly. But then again the little girl in away adopted Joshua...