Arin sat on a cushioned bench swinging her legs back and forth, reading through another photography magazine. Gazing at the pictures of animals and landscapes. She was already seeing the entire world. Her suitcase rested in front of her. Ms. Holt was texting Mrs. Lightfoot, the two plotting something.

Mr. Lightfoot had been gone for four hours.

For four long hours they sat on this same bench. A few of the remaining officers were kind enough to go out and buy them lunch.

“I wonder what’s taking so long?” Arin inquired looking at Ms. Holt.

“There was a break in at a storage vault. Some people think it’s okay to break into places and take it over, demanding for things. Don’t do that, kid, when you grow older. Your dad is the best negotiator and probably fighter we have. I’m sure he will be back at any moment now,” one of the officers said, spinning in his chair so he was facing her.

“Really?”

“Mhm. You are lucky that such a wonderful man adopted you. He and his family are incredible!” he added. The door opened sending a wave of brisk air into the department.

Arin and Ms. Holt turned around. It was Mr. Lightfoot and the other officers. With them were three strangers, dressed in dark colors.

“Philip saves the day again!” the second joked as Mr. Lightfoot lead everyone inside. Arin beamed at her new father. Mr. Lightfoot glanced at Arin and nodded, masking his pride. The man he was holding looked at Arin quite surprised by her presence. Her father stifled a gasp and grabbed the criminal’s neck so that he could hear what he had to say.

The burglar nodded as he was led to a different room with his accomplices. Arin watched Mr. Lightfoot until he disappeared into a third room. She sat down again, her excitement fading before turning to Ms. Holt.

“Get ready, Arin; let’s go home,” Ms. Holt stated placing her phone back in her purse.

“Ms. Holt, what did Mr. Lightfoot say to that man?” Arin asked with a quivering lip, she shrugged.

“I don’t know but it was probably something to protect you. I know you're nervous, but he really does care about you,” Ms. Holt replied smiling and Arin nodded convinced. She was the one adult she could trust with all her heart.

When he returned, everyone applauded him, especially Arin. He did a playful bow, then hurried over to Arin, ready to hug her. Arin panicked, unsure how to hug the tall man back. Ms. Holt gave Mr. Lightfoot a sharp stare, telling him something that Arin didn't understand. Mr. Lightfoot backed off, clearing his throat.

“Now we can go home. Now we can go celebrate. Hopefully this delay allowed everyone to finalize—things.” He gestured to the door. Arin grabbed her backpack, excitement returning.

“I can’t wait!” she replied as they left the building.

“Well it’s two now. We will be there soon right? That took a lot of time.”

“Ten minutes at most. If it wasn’t so cold, we could walk home!” Mr. Lightfoot exclaimed, opening the glass door for Arin. Although she waited a painfully long time for Mr. Lightfoot, the pride in her new father was worth it.

Maybe this was her true family! The joyous thought caused a loud giggle.

“I’m glad you’re happy. We truly love you, Arin.” Mr. Lightfoot smiled and Arin blushed.

And I love you too. For the first time she could say that. Daddy, are you truly my daddy?

They entered the car, Ms. Holt made sure she was situated before allowing Mr. Lightfoot to drive. Arin stared at the Christmas-themed streets. She sighed, twirling her finger around a loose strand of hair. Olympia, Washington; this had been her home her whole life. The wet streets were no new sight. Slush piled against the curbs, Christmas jingles cheered through the city.

Mr. Lightfoot remained silent as he drove home. Arin watched the houses and shops, continuously sighing. Ms. Holt glanced at Arin, clearly worried.

“How do you feel, Arin?” Ms. Holt finally asked after Arin sighed for the millionth time.

“I’m okay, ma’am.” She slowly nodded looking at Ms. Holt. “Just worried about you know . . .”

“Arin, you met them all before. Maddox, Susan, Victor, and Linda all love you. The surprise will show you that we all truly care,” Mr. Lightfoot explained keeping his eyes on the road.

“There was another moment of silence before Arin asked, “was it scary fighting those mean people? And what did you say to that man who looked at me?”

“It wasn’t scary when you know what you’re doing. I just negotiated terms of peace with them and after a while they just gave up. Thankfully no one was hurt, and what did I tell that villainous man? Well, I said that if he ever thought about hurting you I would snap his neck,” Mr. Lightfoot explained calmly. “They broke into a storage facility; I wonder why . . .”

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

“Oh!” He really does care! Oh I’m so excited to see this surprise!

Arin looked out the window again as they entered the neighborhood. She looked around for her house, she forgot where it was in this large neighborhood. She spotted it, a few houses away. Heart racing, palms sweating. This was it, everything would change. Mr. Lightfoot pulled into the driveway, the car jerking a lot.

“Ready?” her father asked turning around to face Arin.

“Yes, sir!” She fumbled with her seatbelt for a moment before freeing herself from the contraption. Mr. Lightfoot opened the car door for her and she stumbled outside onto the driveway. Arin struggled to keep a walking pace as they approached the door. Mr. Lightfoot unlocked the front door and opened it wide enough for Arin to go through first.

“We’re home!” Mr. Lightfoot called out, slipping his shoes off inside. Arin followed her father’s lead, not wanting to disrespect their customs. No one came running down the stairs. “Ah, it seems we beat them home.”

“Where are they exactly?”

“Buying last minute Christmas things for a special someone.” Arin’s faced flushed. They were out buying her things and she had nothing to give in return.

“You must be hungry from waiting on me for hours. Let’s go to the kitchen,” Mr. Lightfoot guided her through the narrow hallway, passing by his office and a closet.

“Yes, sir.”

They walked towards the living room when furious scampering of a dog and a few barks greeted Arin. She forgot the Lightfoots had a dog. She stumbled back and hid behind Mr. Lightfoot fearing the beast. It was a large greyhound.

“There he is! Calm yourself, Marco!” Mr. Lightfoot ordered shielding his cowering new daughter. “Marco, this is Arin and she is going to live with us now, remember?!”

Marco stopped barking and slowly advanced closer to Arin, nose twitching furiously. She backed away and Marco whined, his large ears drooped.

“It’s okay, he doesn’t ever bite. He only licks.” The dog approached her. Arin followed Mr. Lightfoot's approach to petting the dog, kneeling and holding her hand out. “Good, good.”

“Incredible,” Ms. Holt muttered as Arin began to scratch Marco behind his ears. His ears perked up and he licked Arin’s cheek affectionately. “What an amazing bond.”

“Marco loves everyone. He is a great search dog too! Plus, he is a fantastic friend to the kids!” Mr. Lightfoot exclaimed standing up again. “Well, where are my manners. Let’s go grab something to eat!”

They entered the living room, some balloons bobbed against the ceiling. A Christmas tree sat in the corner, lightly decorated with wrapped gifts underneath. She turned to the kitchen, spotting a cake on top of a counter. Emotions overwhelmed Arin as she stood over the cake.

Welcome Home Arin! she read, laughing with delight. They used Arin. They used Arin! “A party just for me!”

“Of course, Susan and the rest should be home in a few min—”

A door nearby opened, someone announced, “we're back!” Arin faced a different hallway, awaiting the rest of her family to reveal themselves. Her sister, brothers, and mother walked in.

“She is still as cute as I remember!” Susan beamed and Victor nodded.

“Cute as one can be!” Maddox chirped, red from glee.

He was the middle child, only a little younger than Victor. Her oldest brother was a senior, about to attend a college no one told her about. Susan was about to get her driver's license. They all were so much more accomplished than Arin. The three children were miniature versions of Mr. Lightfoot.

 “Oh, Martha, Philip, I’m glad everything went all right!” Mrs. Lightfoot said hugging the two.

“Martha?”

“My first name is Martha,” Ms. Holt murmured.

“I’m so happy that you’re here, Arin!” Mrs. Lightfoot hugged Arin tightly, pulling Arin’s head against her stomach. Arin wrapped her thin arms around Mrs. Lightfoot’s waist. Ms. Holt pursued her lips together to prevent herself from speaking. “Susan, show Arin to her room then we will begin her party.”

“This way!” Susan turned away, breaking out into a gentle jog, a grin on her face. She chased Susan up the stairs with glowing cheeks. This family was so nice, how fortunate was she! Maybe she could tell them about the voice.

They climbed to the second floor of the house, the little exercise winded Arin. White carpet replaced woof. They stopped running and Susan led Arin through more narrow hallways. She stopped in front of a closed door, the old “guest room” that had a bed and a closet. Arin gasped as she looked at her closet and drawer amazed.

“I never owned a closet before! What do I put in it?” It was big, perhaps she could fit all of her clothing inside!

“All of your extra clothing goes in here. The same with the drawer,” Susan explained and Arin’s heart sank.

“Why so much clothing?”

“Well, erm . . .” Susan began but her voice began to tremble.

“I only own four pair of clothing and my pajamas. Why would you own so much?” Arin asked looking at Susan with tears welling up behind her eyes. “I’ve been alone for so long to find everyone else living in luxury!”

“We can buy you more clothing. You can have anything you want—”

“I want to be left alone!” Arin snapped, Susan backed away. Arin realized her mistake and looked down ashamed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled.”

“Well, you want to be left alone, I should respect that.” Susan left Arin’s room, closing the door behind her. Arin sat on her soft bed, heart racing.

What have I done? They are going to hate me for this now! They are going to return me and it hasn’t even been ten minutes! Arin began to sob into her pillow. What have I done? I screwed myself, I can’t go back! There was a soft knock at the door. It was Ms. Holt, only she knocked like that. Ms. Holt opened the door and gasped when she saw Arin.

“Oh, sweet child, what happened?" Ms. Holt was calm.

“I—I—I messed up! They are going to get rid of me now!” Arin cried. Ms. Holt pulled her into a tight hug, rocking her back and forth.

“Shhh. They would never do that. Everything will be all right,” Ms. Holt whispered as Arin sobbed into her shoulder.

“I set a bad example. They will judge me for this!” Arin cried harder.

“Do you want me to sing to you?” Ms. Holt asked and Arin nodded.

Ms. Holt began to hum and mumble but Arin did not catch the words. Like always, this sweet melody eased her nerves. Her anxiety disappeared, her fear disappeared. Even though she didn’t understand what Ms. Holt was saying she knew that everything would turn out all right.

Minutes passed of gentle humming. Calm again, Arin was ready to rejoin her family. Ms. Holt helped Arin up, wrapping her arm around her client’s shoulder.

“Just relax and enjoy the party. I promise, nothing bad will happen.” Together, the two left Arin’s new room, joining the Lightfoots downstairs for the celebration.