#Chapter 3: Elsa's Past

Elsa POV

I was sitting on a street near a shop, crying. My head hurt, still fathoming of what happened last night.

Roy, the thief who I've always called 'father', laid on a bed in a hospital room. He wasn't getting any better though. Hence, his body only grew weaker each time I visited. At that rate, it was only inevitable for him to pass away. Much worse, He died right on my eleven birthday.

Before that fateful day, he gave me a light blue box with a white ribbon around. A piece of jewelry too, a gold necklace with a diamond carved into a beautiful snowflake. He told me to always keep it with me to remind me of him. And I can only open the box when I reached twenty.

After Roy's demise, all of my belongings were already lost, stolen by people who passed my house. All I had left was my box, necklace, and the clothes I was currently wearing. Between my sobs, I heard a soft, warm voice.

"Dear me, young one. Why are you crying?"

I lifted my face to see a man and a woman, seemingly husband and wife. The two had the same brown hair and warm smiles. They knelt down to peer me closely. I flinched away.

"It's alright, sweetie. My name is Gerda Winters and this is my husband, Kai Winters. What's yours?" The woman, Gerda, introduced to me kindly.

"It's Elsa." I said politely. The sky started snowing. I pulled my jacket closer as the air felt more freezing. Noticing my shivering hands, the brunette woman unlooped her scarf to wrap it around my head. Heat felt at my cheeks red from the cold.

"Where do you live, Elsa?" Mr. Winters asked.

"My father left me. No one needs me anymore so I'm here," I explained. A drop of snow touched my lips icily like a tiny, scolding pinch. I ignored it.

"Any other family member or relative you could stay with?" Mrs. Winters asked.

"No such thing," I said as I began to warm my hands with my breath. The couple smiled to each other, then at me.

"Then would you like to live with us and become our daughter? We will take good care of you," Mrs. Winters said with a warm smile. Looking up at them, I scrunched my face a little in suspicion. Their hands look small and relaxed. They had no cloths with the cold, sleepy smell of mint. They weren't thieves like last time. Maybe they were okay. "I guess. I don't have anywhere to go."

The two held my hands and we headed to a nice, cozy house. It hadn't been long and I was already wrapped in a blanket, sitting on a couch watching TV. Mr. Winters sat beside me and Mrs. Winters was busy inside the kitchen. She walked out and joined us. She held a tray that balanced three cups of hot chocolate. She sat and handed me one. Starved, I gratefully took it and sipped. It was then that I realized how long it was since I tasted anything so sweet.

"Remember sweetheart, you are our daughter. From now on, call us mom and dad, and from now on, your name is Elisabeth Winters. We will still call you Elsa, but if you introduce yourself to others, use Elisabeth." she said.

"Okay." I said.

Hearing a giggle, I bashfully took a tissue and wiped my chocolate smeared lips. Embarrassing, but it was still a good day. I wondered if Roy was doing well too.

I took another tissue, this time to clear a tear from my eyes before anyone saw them.

(THREE MONTHS LATER)

Kai's POV

I was sitting on the couch reading my newspaper, waiting for Elsa to finish her use of my laptop. Until then, there was nothing else I could do other than what I was doing. Shortly, Elsa came with the laptop.

"Already done, little Elsie?" I said, smiling at my daughter.

"Yes dad. You can use your laptop now," she said with a big smile on her face. I chuckled silently knowing it was fake. The young girl was never too happy when she had to give my laptop back.

She handed me my laptop and left. When I turned it on, I saw something I would never have expected on my screen.

There's a computer antivirus notification called 'ICE' popped out from the screen. Did she make this?!

I couldn't believe it, she was only five years old! Yet, she could make something like this? Astounding! She really had talent.

"Gerda! Quick! Come here!" I called my wife whom was busy in the attic. I heard a thumping sound and my wife rushed from the stairs.

"What is it?" She said, panting.

"Look at this," I said. She sat next to me and watched my laptop screen. An indifferent look appeared on her face.

"Looks like you found a good antivirus to clean all your junk. Wonderful honey."

"No, this is different. Elsa made this!"

"How could she... can this antivirus work properly?" she asked, still unconvinced.

"We'll see."

I rushed to my room, took a flash disk and slid it in my pocket and ran back. I plugged it in my laptop as my wife watched intently beside me.

"What is inside that flash disk?" She asked curiously.

"It's a virus that I got from a friend for my research," I said.

"Oh. What kind of virus?" She asked again.

"It's Poison Apple," I said. She only nodded. Then the laptop popped a small message.

DETECTED ILLEGAL PROGRAM! ACCESS DENIED! THIS APPLICATION CONTAINS A SERIOUS VIRUS. REMOVE ILLEGAL PROGRAM AND VIRUS? (I/A)_

I typed one word:

YES_

Then I pressed Enter. Another message appeared.

ILLEGAL PROGRAM AND VIRUS IS SUCCESSFULLY ELIMINATED. SAVE (I/A)_

My wife and I hugged each other with happy faces.

"I can't believe she made this and it actually worked!" She said with joyful pride

"Did I do something?" I saw Elsa standing in front of her room, looking at us with a weird look.

"Elsa sweetie, can you come here?" My wife called her to come closer and she did. She walked to us with her head down.

Elsa's POV :

Not good...