One year later

"Hey Madison, how was school today?" Madison's a good kid. Much smarter than I was at her age.

"Not good."

"You wanna talk about it?" I wish I could do more to help but for now all I can do is be there for her. She wants to be tough and tries to not let the other kids get to her but what she really needs is a friend.

"Not right now."

"Okay, how about we play… picture wars!" The light in her eyes is all I need to know she'll be okay.

"I'll go get the paper and markers!"

"Alright kiddo just make sure you don't trip on the stairs."

"I won't!"

Madison's one of the first kids I realized could see me. In a way she's helped me as much as I've helped her. When I was alone and didn't know why I was still here she showed me just exactly the strange voice had done for me. I had a second chance to help others.

"Here they are."

Her smiles are one of the sweetest things in the world. "Alright, what are we drawing first."

"How about an elephant."

"Okay now you got the timer?" She nods. "Alright, 3, 2, 1, draw!"

The sound of our furious scribbles are adjourned by laughter and giggling as we draw animal after animal. Eventually Maddie get's tired and I help get her in bed.

As I turn to head out her small hand grabs mine. "Ally?"

"Yes?"

"Are you ever going to leave, like mama?" I give her a smile and sit down on the edge of the bed.

"Everyone leaves at one point but I'm not going for a very long time and even when I do you know what?" There's no point in lying to her and telling her I'll be here forever but I'm not letting her out of my sights anytime soon.

"What?"

"I'll come back and see you when you're all grown up and little kids of your own."

"Really?" She gives the most adorable smile through sleepy eyes.

"Yeah, you're not getting rid of me that easily kiddo."

"Thanks Ally." She's more tired now, almost falling asleep.

"No problem, now get to sleep and don't let the bed bugs bite." I call out as I head towards the light switch.

"Okay, goodnight Ally."

"Goodnight Maddie." I turn of the light and head out the window. Once at the edge I feel some snow drop on my nose. Must be time for winter again. Last winter wasn't good but this one will definitely be better.

It's better not to dwell on the past though. For now, I have to focus on Madison and getting her help.

I get off the roof and start through the soft snowfall to the library. I need to do some more research on mental disorders and such. Madison doesn't communicate like other kids and I think if she can get some more specific help it would help a lot. I know I would've loved if someone had understood me when I was younger.

I would try to get her dad to take her to some professional but to be honest they don't really have the money. He works so hard just to support just him and Madison. He loves her but he really doesn't see what she's going through.

The next best option is research at the library. Since no one can see me it makes coming after hours no problem, have had the lights shut off on me a few times though.

I walk in and finger gun to the head librarian.

"How's it going Mrs. G, finally got some new highlights I see."

I'm so lucky she can't hear me. Once I heard her kick a kid out just for looking at her in the wrong way. Still, she keeps this place clean and open late so she can't be all that bad.

I find my spot in the back of the second floor and get to reading.

It's a couple hours past midnight before I realize there's some soft footsteps down the aisle.

Their too light to be a person but I'm not sure what else would be up here. When I get up and look around the corner, I see a small grey and white kitten.

"Aw, aren't you just adorable."

"Meow?" Her big eyes seem to stare straight into my soul and I feel my heart physically move.

This little guy was just too cute. She doesn't have any tags or anything though. I wonder what kind she is.

I approach her slowly and let her sniff me.

"Meow." She lets me pick her up and I put away my books.

"Time to see who you are little guy."

After locating the cat books, I look and find a breed that looks pretty close to the little guy.

"It appears you are a Norwegian Forest Cat. Pretty neat huh."

"Meow."

"I guess I can't keep you though. I really don't have a place for you or any food."

"meow."

Maybe Mrs. G would let her stay at the library. It's worth a try. I make my way down to the first floor and write a note.

Hey Mrs. Georgalist,

You don't know me but I found this little guy in here earlier and was wondering if you'd let him stay here at the library. I don't have a place for her but I think I'd be really cool if she could stay here. If you'd rather not keep her please try to find a home for her, she's really small and I don't know how she'd do in a shelter.

Thanks, A

Hopefully that'll be enough. It'd be really great to take Maddie to the library and let her meet the little guy. On that note I should probably stop calling her little guy.

"How about a name for you. Something cute and elegant. Hm. Lady?"

"Meow." A happy meow appears to be a yes to that name.

"Lady it is." Might want to add a ps to the note now.

Hopefully Mrs. G has a soft spot for cats. She does do those shelter volunteer things so there's a good chance if she can't keep her, she knows someone who can.

"Guess I should stay with you till the morning then. Not a problem with how cute you are though." Eventually Lady falls asleep and I lay her in a soft scarf on Mrs. G's desk.

The morning light is coming through the window now s she should be here soon. There's a heavy blanket of snow outside too, the kids should have a snow day. I'll go see how Maddie's doing and maybe I'll get her to come by the library later to see if Lady's still here.

Yeah, that sounds like a good day. The best day.