Days of Cold

The days passed and all of them were frigid. The nights were long as they huddled to keep warm.

Marty lay beside Todd one night after they had eaten. "I sometimes think about when I'm older; when we'll be older," she stated.

"What do you think about?" Todd asked as they lay on the mattress together. As the night wore on, the air grew colder. It was going to be another long night.

"When we grow up, I want you to marry me," she stated. She was completely serious.

"What?" Todd asked, a little bit surprised.

"I want you to promise me that we will always be together forever and that you'll marry me when we grow up," Marty repeated.

Todd thought about what she was proposing. He didn't want to make promises he could not keep, but Marty was so hopeful and insistent. She squeezed his hand, prompting him to answer.

"Alright," he agreed softly. "When we grow up, we'll get married."

"I love you, Todd," she said softly. Tenderly she kissed his cheek. His skin tingled where she kissed him.

"I love you, too."

Todd had never said those words to another person before, but saying them to Marty felt good. He did love her. He loved her so much; he'd do anything for her. He'd make any sacrifice... and soon Todd would have to make the biggest sacrifice of all.

The relentless cold did not leave them. Todd did all the begging and shopping for groceries. He didn't want Marty out in the cold. And when he didn't earn enough begging on the streets, he had to do the unthinkable. He dug through trashcans, looking for something to eat. He would do whatever he had to do so he and Marty could survive.

Then came that sad, fateful day when there was no more furniture to burn. The apartment building became bitter cold. Todd tried to keep Marty warm with his own body heat, but he was failing.

Marty was sick. The extreme cold was effecting her, plus a lack of nutrition. "Todd, are we going to die?" Marty whispered.

If she died, she could see Mommy and Daddy again. Marty believed she'd become an angel. As much as she wanted to see her parents, she didn't want to leave Todd. She clung to him, not wanting to let him go.

Earlier in the day while Todd had been out searching for food, he had came across a notice advertising the departure of the Orphan Train. At the time, he hadn't thought much about it, but now that there wasn't much to eat, and Marty was getting sick. Todd knew what he had to do.

"We won't die, Marty," he said softly as he held her body against his. "I know what will save you."

"Heaven?" Marty asked hopefully.

"No," Todd said, shaking his head. "I don't want you to die."

He didn't know how to take care of Marty now that she was sick. She had a hacking cough accompanied by a low grade fever.

"I am going to get you help, Marty. You're going to be okay."

"Todd," she said as she clung to his hand. "Don't leave me."

"I need to get you help," he said. "You need to get well. You'll be safe here; I won't be gone long."

Tears slid down Marty's cheeks as Todd walked away. She was miserable, huddled in the blanket. She was so sick that she was having trouble breathing. With every cough, it felt like her throat was aflame. She called for Todd hoarsely, but he didn't come back.

Todd left their building and walked and walked. He walked some more till he was back to where he had seen the sign earlier in the day. He stood before it to read it carefully.

"Orphan Train" was written in bold black letters. Todd squinted to read the rest of the tiny words.

The sign said that homeless children were going to be leaving on an orphan train headed west. He read the date as his eyes widened. The train was leaving in about a week! He had to get Marty on that train!

She deserved a home and a family. He was going to help her get one. She was sick, cold, and hungry. He couldn't watch her suffer anymore. She couldn't stay in the abandoned apartment building a moment longer. Until that train left, he would take her to the one safe place he knew.

Rushing back to the old apartment building, he appeared at Marty's side. He wrapped their only blanket around her. He hoped that it would be enough to keep her warm.

"We're leaving," he told her. He helped her to her feet and grabbed her suitcase. He knew it was a long walk to the Children's Home.

Marty whimpered. She didn't want to go anywhere. Todd had bundled her up in the blanket and helped her outside into the snow. "It's so cold," Marty said. "I need Sara Beth."

"She's in the suitcase. Come on, Marty," Todd encouraged, tugging on her hand. "I have to get you somewhere safe."

Marty followed, complaining with every step. "Why are we leaving? I don't want to go," she said.

"You're sick," Todd reminded. "I promised I was going to take care of you, so that's what I have to do."

Todd had to harden his heart, knowing what he had to do. He kept telling himself it was for her own good; he was doing it to protect her.

After walking several blocks, they arrived at their destination. "Where are we?" Marty asked as she stared at the huge brick building. It looked too much like Miss Priscilla's and it scared her.

"You'll be safe here," Todd said when they reached the front steps.

"I don't want to go!" Marty cried out, but Todd tugged her up to the door. When he knocked, a woman in a long black dress answered.

"Can I help you, young man?" she asked.

"This is Marty. Her parents died... and she- she has nowhere to go," Todd stated. "She's sick."

"Come on in out of the cold," the woman offered.

"Marty, go on," Todd said gently.

"No! No! You promised me!" Marty cried. She was frightened as she clung to him.

"I am sorry, Marty, but this is for the best," Todd tried to tell her. "These people will help you... and take care of you. They will take you somewhere safe. And you can get a new mommy and daddy."

"But I only want you," Marty sobbed. "Please, Todd. Don't leave me here! PLEASE!"

Tears were falling down Todd's cheeks as he tried to explain to her. "You have to go, Marty. Please be strong for me. Be a good girl, okay?" he said in a choking voice. Please... just be a good girl."

Seeing her tears broke his heart, but he couldn't keep Marty with him, not when she was sick. Not when she deserved a home and a family.

He kissed her cheek really fast, then he was off, running out the door and down the street. He knew she couldn't follow him. She was too weak from being sick.

"Are you okay, little girl?" the woman from the Children's Home asked when she saw Marty collapse on the rug.

She was clutching her chest. Her little heart had broken. "He's the only one who ever loved me, besides my parents and Mrs. Mendalhall," Marty whispered. "Now he's gone... gone. He left me, too."

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This series goes on hiatus after only one more chapter. I need to find some quiet time to myself so I can continue plotting it, then the story can resume. Thank you for all the wonderful reviews!