In the snow, she trudged. Her long, black cloak big enough to keep her and her little brother warm. She held him close as she tried to find shelter.
"Where's momma? Where's Papa?" Five year old Gabriel asked her. Tears flooded Rose's face as she looked down at him.
"They...they went to a very special place."
"Why didn't they take US?" Gabriel asked her again in wonder. Rose sobbed as she held her little brother.
They nestled under a large tree. She wrapped Gabriel in a blanket and had him sit in a log, as she dug out snow to build a fire.
Once they were warm from the fire, Rose prepared tea for her and her brother. She gave him a cup. He gasped in excitement when he saw it. He brought the tea to his lips, but Rose stopped him.
"Let it cook down, okay. I don't want that to burn you." Rose said.
"Aww." Gabriel stared down at his cup. He placed it next to him.
"It's for a second, don't worry. You'll have it in no time." She reassured.
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The young boy tilted his head at her. "Rose, what is it?" Gabriel asked her as he pointed at his tea.
Rose smiled. "It's always been my favorite growing up, it has apples and cinnamon and it."
"What's it called?"
Rose shrugged. "I've always called it Cinnamon apple."
"C - cim - o - ninn - apple?" Gabriel struggled to pronounce.
Rose giggled at his effort. "It's a hard word to say, but you'll get the hang of it though." She looked at his cup that sat next to him. "Try it now." Gabriel did as her was told and tried the tea. He giggled with happiness.
"I never tried c - cimma - nin - "
"Would it be easier to say apple cinnamon?" Rose suggested.
Before Gabriel could try again, something caught his eye in the distance. Suddenly, he shrieked and jumped up and ran towards Rose. The red head looked behind her, and noticed a big black wolf staring at them. Rose smiled as she got up to pet the wolf. Gabriel then tugged at her robes, trying to force her to stay with him. "What are you doing? They're BAD! Momma said so!"
But Rose chuckled. "Don't worry, they won't hurt you!" She reassured. "Besides, you've been playing with them!"
"M - momma told me not to play with them anymore! Please, come back!"
The black wolf then left their are and trotted off into the woods.
Rose knelt down to meet his level. "They're just animals. You don't need to be afraid of them."
Shaking, Gabriel then began to cry as he hugged his sister.
"I don't like them, Rosie."
Rose hugged him back. "I know, it's okay. I won't let them hurt us."
"We just saw him, is he going to take you away? And leave me all alone?"
Rose shook her head. "No, Gabriel...I won't let that happen. I will stay right here."
"Promise?"
Rose nodded as she kissed his head.
"I promise."