Emma gasp deeply as she vomits a mouthful of water. Her entire being was shivering in the cold dead of night as everything she had was soak wet with water. Fortunately, she manages to shake off the guards as they were nowhere to be found.

Unfortunately however, she lost almost everything she had as she abandoned her bag to escape, leaving her with only a pitiful amount of change that she stored within her pocket. Emma rummage around her pocket and found only a knife, a silver coin and three copper coins.

"...So much for preparing..." Emma bitterly whispered as she found the situation she was in to be too pitiful. She was beginning to feel regret for not taking those gold coins with her, but she soon shake off the thought as she remembered it brought more trouble than it's worth.

Let's cover some distance for now. Emma thought as she begins following the river wherever it may lead her. The young lady could feel her body protesting with each step she took. She was cold and tired from the ordeal, but Emma simply did not have the time nor the luxury to even groan. Begrudgingly, she stuffed the complaint at the back of her mind as she continues to move.

She soon found the town near the estate as lights flickers in the distance. Finally, I can-! Emma dive straight into a nearby bush as figures in blue moves around the town. Her eyes dilated in frustration as the familiar cobalt armor roamed the streets.

They're already here? Emma despaired as she watch the knights going from road to road, street by street as they seem to be finding someone. With a heavy heart, Emma reluctantly push onwards down the river as she left the clamoring town behind.

It had taken a good portion of her will to completely ignore the town as she continues moving forward. She move so slow as her injured foot still aches from the hole that has been driven into. Luckily, the wound looked relatively fresh as the infection was still growing.

What made the entire ordeal worse however was the occasional howl of the wolves. Throughout the entire journey, Emma was forced to keep her mind vigilant, ready to jump into the river to escape from their attacks. Thankfully however, it did not came to that.

Emma stopped as she noticed something was growing brighter. For a moment, Emma feared they were behind her, but soon felt silly as it was only the sun rising at the horizon. She let out a stifle bitter laugh as she slowly sinks down beside the nearby river.

Her sore and tired body welcomed the respite as she closes her bloodshot eyes. Open. Close. Open. Close. Adrenaline still coursing through her veins as Emma breathed out. She could see smoke escaping from her mouth as the cold autumn morning illuminated the wind. She stared at the grey skies for a moment before closing it again.

Fatigued washed over her but could not fall asleep. It's not that she did not want to, she simply can't. Despite her eyes being closed, her mind was still running without pause. Thoughts became a chaotic whirlwind as exhaustion clouded her head for even a single moment's of respite. After an hour had passed, Emma could feel her body groan, but she resumed moving nonetheless.

Emma slowly continues walking towards the river for the entire early morning as she had seen nothing but trees and the river. A loud growl suddenly resounded throughout the entire forest. Thankfully, it did not sound like a beast. Unfortunately, it was something far worse. A frown slowly crept its way to reality as Emma grimaced from her stomach's growling.

She begins to look for anything in the forest to eat but saw nothing but the autumn leaves of the trees. There were no berries to eat from as the animals already eaten them as well as fishes in the river as they migrated towards warmer areas.

With nothing else left, Emma begins to walk towards the river and begins drinking the fresh running water. It was cold but Emma gulped as much as she could until her stomach drowns the hunger. To some extent, it was successful as she began moving with aching reluctance.

Emma covered some distance away from the main estate as nightfall soon came. The shivering autumn wind left Emma no choice but to hunker down for the night. Luckily, she was near the forest where materials are abundant.

After gathering a hefty amount of firewood, Emma gathered some stones to make a proper campfire. Lighting a spark proved to be an easy task to Emma as memory and experience guided her hands.

A roaring fire soon came to life as it warded of the cold Emma was forced to deal with since early morning. She slowly begins to undress and placed her still wet clothes near the fire in hopes to dry them off, leaving her with only her underwear. As her clothes were still warming up, Emma checks again on her wound.

She couldn't help but grimaced as the wound was getting worse. The dried blood begins to harden around the hole on her feet and begins to blacken. What to do? Emma thought off as she racked her brain for any solutions.

There are no herbs here I can use to disinfect. Going to the town is out of the question... so I'm leave with that option eh? Her brows buried further as she stared at the fire. It was a dangerous and very harmful procedure if not done right.

...Well, it's better than dying anyways. Emma thought as she resolved herself for the coming ordeal. Emma clean the gaping wound thoroughly as she could possibly can. She then picked the knife she miraculously manages to hold on and begins to heating up the blade.

The dull grey blade slowly turned to yellow as it begins to heat up. It then turned to bright orange as it was fully heated by the fire. Emma puts one of her clothes into her mouth and bite the cloth as hard as she can.

Emma stared at the blade with hesitation as the heat was overwhelming. She then brings her injured foot and stared at the hole. After a much deliberation, Emma placed the heated blade onto her wound. A loud sizzle resounded as the smell of burnt flesh wafted the air.

Emma let out a painful groan as the wound slowly cauterize. Tears begins to fall of her eyes as the pain was too much for her young body. After what seemed to be an eternity, one end of the hole was now sealed up.

Emma let out another painful groan as she placed the heated blade once more to the other end of the hole. Another loud sizzle sounds off and again the smell of burnt flesh permeated the air and again, Emma let out a painful cry.

As soon as the wound was sealed, Emma throw the blade away as if it was cursed as her wounded leg screamed in agony. She let out a proud smile however as she had done the entire ordeal without passing out midway.

For normal human, cauterizing an already infested wound would only delay the inevitable. Luckily, Emma was not normal. The power within her was small, almost nonexistent compared to her old self. But it was enough to heal wounds that would normally limp any other human.

She could faintly feel her power healing what could have been a limp that would haunt her for the rest of her life. It was like a dripstone slowly dripping droplets of water to a pond. Slow, but will fill everything with time.

Her eyes slowly come to a close as she was too tired to move now. Emma slept a dreamless dream as her body recuperated as much as it can before the sun was out. However, it did not need to come to that. Emma eyes snap open at the sense of vibration.

Her heart beats like a hammer as she quickly kills the fire out with the dirt nearby. She erased her trace as much as she can before diving off to the nearest bushes, clothes in hand. She dared not to run as her injured leg was still in pain.

Soon, she heard the sound of hooves coming closer by the minute. It's them. It's them! Emma panicked as the sound was getting closer. She did not know how they manages to trace her trail, but she lied still nonetheless as it came closer.

...Should I just turn myself in? A thought suddenly flashed at Emma as she had never considered it before. The pain she endured and the hunger she bears was slowly eating her up, her young and untrained body was simply not up to the task.

It was one the variables she did not considered as she simply wanted to escape but now it was apparent how much of a blunder it actually was, Emma was having second thoughts. I could have a warm meal then... She thought as the noise was getting louder.

I could sleep without worry... I can sleep on that warm bed again. I can- The thought soon stopped as the images of her father flickered to life. She saw its cold cobalt eyes stares down on her in indifference. A moment later, she also saw Elias glaring down in disdain. Those eyes... those damnable eyes.

Fear and hatred bloom within her chest as the thought of going back scared her more than the hardship she was facing today. She gritted her teeth in pain as the horses ran past her. Relief washed over her as the knights simply- "Hmm?" Emma drop dead silent as one of the night stops to investigate.

"That's strange, why did they ran past this one?" The knight mused to himself as he began studying the dirt covered campfire. "Still warm, but who would camp here?" Emma silently grabbed hold onto whatever she could find.

A twig, a rock, anything at all that would help her. Anything at all that would help her take him down. "Hmm... could it be the lady?" Time seemed to slow down as Emma held her breath. She prayed it didn't came to this, but Emma could already see what needs to be done.

Her hand finally grasped something. It was a rock. Perfect. Preparing to lunge the unexpecting knight Emma poured every ounce of her strength to this one strike. I'm sorry. But the young lady could not help but feel sorrow for the knight.

I didn't want to do this. I really don't want to. But I have no choice. You left me with no choice! Trying to convince herself, Emma raised the rock slightly, preparing to deal the killing blow. I'm sorry... I am so sorry- "No, that would be impossible."

Emma stopped her body, mere moments away from dealing the final blow as the knight began to move away. "She lived her entire life in comfort, how can she even create a fire?" The knight mused to himself before saddling up to his horse and galloping away.

Emma blinked once and then twice before tears welled up. Thank Gods... Thank Gods... "I almost did it... I almost did. " Emma silently cried in relief as she tossed the rock away violently. Her heart quivered in fear at the terrible act she was about to make.

Emma never blinked an eye whenever a monster dies, but it never brings her at ease to kill an innocent man. It never was and never will be. After collecting herself for an hour longer, Emma finally decided to move just far away from the river that she would not be easily seen but not so far as to forget where the river was.

She barely made ten steps forward however before her leg finally gave out. It was still recovering from the pain as it could not support her weight. Emma glared at her injured leg but soon stopped as she saw a massive stick several paces before her.

With a groan, Emma crawled to where the stick was that she desperately needed it. She soon checked the wood and was astonished to how firm and strong the wood was. She slowly gets up, using the stick as a crutch.

At first it was clumsy and hard as Emma was forced to adjust to the new pair of limb. After stumbling and falling off half the time, she soon gets the hang of it and slowly moves onwards throughout the day.

For the next several of days, Emma relied on the river for sustenance and the forest for warmth. Although her mind was beginning to scream anything but water, her mental disciplined proved useful as she manages to live off with just water.

Day after day, Emma drowned the pang of hunger time and time again as the cold chilling water washed down on her throat. Emma could feel her body getting sick by just living off by water alone as she sometimes vomits the excessive amounts.

Sadly however, water could only do so much after eating nothing but water for several of days. She began to hate her body as it required more sustenance than her trained and older body. No matter how strong her mind is, it was still that of a human.

She might have been a soldier in her past life. Eating nothing for weeks on end was to be expected for every soldier, but Emma remembered how much she hated it. Though it happened multiple times, she still hated it in her old body. The difference between then and now were astronomical as she could feel her untrained body being broken down piece by piece.

Please let there be a village. Emma thought as her eyes beginning to grow heavier. Just a loaf of bread... no, even just a crumb... Emma hazily thought as she continues to move. Her legs felt like lead as she forcefully dragged them to the next step.

Emma wanted to scream as her stomach begins to growl again. She wished her stomach just disappeared as it was nothing more but a bag of acid. Just as she was about to fall over however, Emma's prayer had been answered.

A lone abandoned building stood in the middle of nowhere as she begins to picking up the pace. Her mind went into a craze as the pang of hunger gnaws her sanity. Emma stood in front of the door as she gently knocks on the door. No one answered.

Emma, quick to anger after days of being starved, knocks louder than before. Yet still, no one answered. Emma did not wait any longer as she pushed the door forcefully opened. Despite her tired body, she manages to force the door open with ease.

To her surprise, no one was home. She wonder why a building in the middle of nowhere was there, but soon forgot the passing thought as she begins scavenging the entire building. Cabinets and drawers were mercilessly opened as she scoured anything that she could find.

To Emma's dismay however, she found nothing but cobwebs and dust. "Damn it!" Emma screamed as she furiously punches the wall. Her hunger was driving her mad to the point of being agitated by the slightest of movements as her stomach begins to growl again.

Emma was about to lose it when she turned to a corner. Before her, was a loaf of bread that has a mold already growing beside it on the table. "Food?" Emma blinked in surprise. Why was there a perfectly good bread here? Several thoughts course through her mind for anything suspicious, but soon forgo the thought as she ran to it.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Throwing the crutch aside as soon as she reached the bread, she gulped down hard first before taking a huge bite. The bread did not immediately tore apart as it harden by the winds of time. Still, Emma forcefully tore the bread with force as she begins chewing.

The bread was hard and cold as it begins to let out a suspicious smell. To Emma however, it was the tastiest and greatest meal she had ever tasted in her entire life. Emma bites off another piece before chewing as fast as her mouth would allow her.

"...ood...good... it's so good." Emma whispers as tears trickles on her bloodshot eyes. Her hands trembled at the long awaited sustenance as she tore through the bread relentlessly.

"Are you hungry?" A soft voice whispered behind her. Emma sharply turned behind her as she did not noticed the presence. Emma swallowed as the gears in her mind begins to race in search for the source of the sound. She did not need to wait any longer as she soon found it.

Before her was a nun that was staring at her pitifully. She looked in her late twenties, possibly in her early thirties. She has a beautiful copper hair that compliments her amethyst like eyes. Emma glared at the nun as she hides the molded bread behind her, afraid that she might steal it.

Without realizing it, Emma backs herself against a corner as her eyes beginning to search a way out. She would have taken the situation calmly if the circumstances were different but her tired and hungered mind did not allow it.

"I'm not going to steal your bread." The nun softly explained but Emma only glared in reply. Yeah right! Then why are you eyeing on it?? You definitely wanted to steal it! You wanted to steal it because its delicious! Emma thought as the nun was beginning to pull something behind her.

A knife! Run! Emma crouched as she begins to bolt into an action when the nun suddenly showed a piece of bread to her. Not the old and moldy one but a finely baked and fresh one. Emma's eyes widen as she could see it was still steaming hot.

Emma gulped down as she stared at the bread with envy. Compared to her old and molded bread, the nun's bread look far more delectable and appetizing than her bread could ever be. The nun slowly puts down the bread on a platter before slowly backing off.

Emma eyed the bread greedily as she licked her dried lips. The soft and enticing aroma of the bread invites her to approach. Emma wanted to eat the bread, she desperately wanted to, but the sudden appearance of the nun had made her hesitate to reach out.

Perhaps because of the molded bread filled a portion of her stomach, perhaps it was the first time she saw such a delectable food in a while that brought some semblance of sanity back to Emma. No matter how she looked at it, it was way too suspicious for her own liking.

"You can have it. I won't steal it from you." The nun said as Emma further distrust her words. She would have continue to do so too were if not her stomach. It suddenly growled again, screaming at her to just eat the damn bread. Emma gulped once again as she reached out.

Emma snatched the freshly baked bread quickly before retreating back into the corner. Emma eyed the nun as she devour the bread with renewed vigor. ...So good... Emma thought as the fluffy piece melted in her mouth and bites down another one.

Never in her life did Emma thought how tasty a bread could be. Even her time as a soldier, Emma never experienced such a hunger before that even a simple loaf of bread was enough to bring tears in her eyes.

Within moments, Emma finished the bread much to her dismay as her hunger was simply insatiable. "Did it taste good?" The nun asked, hopeful for Emma's response. Emma simply nodded slowly as she eyed the nun suspiciously.

Why would she gave such an extravagant meal for free? Emma thought as her mind was still recovering from being delirious. The nun smiled joyful as Emma inches further away. It was unnerving. Emma was grateful for the bread, but she knew there has to be more to it.

Otherwise, it just doesn't make any sense as to why she would give it so willingly. The nun quickly raised her hands and begins lowering herself down to Emma's level as she saw Emma backing away from her. "I am not here to harm you." The nun said. Emma simply stared back in reply.

"I usually leave a loaf of bread here every week, to feed anyone who might be lost and hungry." The nun explained as Emma remained skeptical. "I would have change the bread today, but I wasn't aware that someone was already here." Emma slowly nodded her head as it explained somewhat.

..."Are you still hungry? Do you want more?" the nun asked as Emma eyes widen in surprise as a basket full of those delicious bread appeared before her. Her stomach growled loudly as the nun pushed the basket. "Here, you can have it." the nun smiled as Emma hesitated for a while but soon forgo everything as she was still hungry.

The nun stare at Emma as she studies her entire being while she desperately devour the bread. Emma squirm uncomfortably as she was not used to it. Judging and ridiculing eyes? Yes. Warmth and concern? Not so much. Emma was puzzled as she did not know what to do.

Why would she look at me with such pity? What could possibly be her plans? Emma thought as she devoured another bread. "Would you like to come with me to the orphanage?" Emma's eyes widen as she soon puzzled everything within her mind. Do I look like an orphan? Emma wanted to say but stopped.

She could feel her ragged clothes clinging annoyingly against her sweaty and sticky skin. Her hair had been ravaged so much by dirt and soot that it was easy for others to mistaken her for an orphan rather than a noble. Nevertheless, Emma opened her mouth to speak the truth.

"I am not an orphan." Emma bluntly stated as the nun looked confused. "I simply ran away." Emma whispers as the nun eyes widen. "Why would you do that? Your family must have been worried sick for you!" The nun exclaimed to which Emma simply replied.

"I have no home to return to." Emma replied as she stared off into the distance before closing her eyes. The faces of her men sprang up as they screamed at her. Emma opened her eyes once more as to banish the sight before her.

"...?" Emma blinked as she noticed the nun stopped talking. She lifted her gaze to see the woman staring at her with wide, pitiful eyes at her. She did not know what she did to receive such a stare, but Emma reflexively raised her arms around her.

"Do you have any place in mind to go to?" The nun asked as Emma shook her head in reply. "...then would you like to come with me?" Emma scowled once more as she replied. "I thought I told you I'm not an orphan?" Emma said as the nun left unfazed.

"Then what if you join with us?" Emma tilts her head as she did not understand her. "Become a sister like me." The nun said as she gestures to herself. "...I'm not one for religious commitment..." Emma said.

"Oh, that won't be a problem! In fact, we do need some extra hands-on taking care of the children." The nun said as was looking Emma eagerly. Emma shifted uncomfortably, not sure what to say. "We can provide food for the table if you wish to join us."

Emma sharply turned as she heard that sweet, sweet word. In all honestly, Emma was still hungry despite eating such an extravagant meal. Her stomach still craved for more as she was not satisfied. Emma hated her greed, but she was still not satisfied, she was still hungry.

The room fell into silence as Emma begins to think, but she did not need to think long. She could not do anything as the bag was everything she had. She had to resort to crime if she wanted to live off, but Emma was not ready to do that just yet. After a great consideration, Emma slowly nodded as the nun eyes sparkled at her reply.

The nun clasped her hands as a wide smile plastered on her face. "I promise you this child, you won't regret it." Why do I feel like I do though? Emma thought but decided to not to give it a voice. "Ah that's right! I have yet to know your name. I am Emma, what's yours?"

Emma blinked as she was cut off guard by the nun's name. Emma thought the wild coincidence when she realized she still haven't given her name. "...Lucy... my name is Lucy..." Emma lied as she avoided the nun's eyes.

This alias should do for now... at least until I can leave... Lucy thought as she tucked away the memories of her old name at the back of her mind and starts repeating the name Lucy until it felt natural as her first name.

֍

"Sister please come back soon!" The children yelled as they slowly disappeared in the horizon. Emma still let out a smile however as she kept waving her hand till the very end as she reached the entrance of the forest.

A smile appeared on Emma's face as the cold autumn morning shines before her. "Thank you for another day." Emma whispered as she continues walking through the forest. The leaves of the trees were slowly falling down to the ground as winter was coming.

Emma smile slowly turned into grimace as she recalled how cold and harsh the winters could be. She remembered how the children and other vagrants usually go through deep within the sewers of the town as they tried to escape the cold.

While it was awful and unsanitary, it was the only escape they had against the cold. Emma hated how little she could do to help those people as the funds the church provided is simply not enough to accommodate all.

Perhaps it was guilt or maybe it was compassion, either way, Emma still do her routine every week to at least aid those in need. The destination this time was the abandoned building deep within the forest.

It was strange and odd building that stood within the sea of trees, but Emma nevertheless comes to the place as she vividly recalls the past. A small smile appeared on her face as she founds a clearing and soon found the abandoned building.

Just as she was about to walk casually however, Emma noticed the door was opened. Her heart beats in worry as she saw the doors were forced open from the outside. Did the animals make it through? It was Emma first thought as it was not unusual for animals to do so.

The thought however was soon dismissed as she saw the trail of human footprints coming close to the door. Is it one of the vagrants? Emma thought as she eyed the towards the door with caution. Despite her eagerness to help, Emma knew better than to walk straight in.

After years of service through the church, Emma saw how men devolved into animals as hunger drives them to the brink of insanity. She even saw good men died as they tried to help those who were driven mad. Despite this however, Emma still did want to help.

Emma slowly walk towards the door, making as little sound as she could as strained her ears to listen. She soon heard the sound of cupboards and cabinets being opened roughly as it bang over and over again.

Emma soon reached inside the building as she could hear the noise louder than ever before. Hmm how should I approach this? Emma pondered as she looked down the basket full of freshly baked bread.

Giving all of the bread might satiate the vagrant but if there were more than two of them, it would surely turn into a brawl as they will fight for all the scraps of food. But I can't just let them starve! Emma frowns as her thoughts were beginning to fight one another.

Logic and reason clashed against pity and compassion as it debated how they approached this situation. I can't just leave a bread here and hope for the best that they will share it! But I can't also show them all the food when- "Food?" A soft whispered broke her train of thought.

Emma slowly turn to run when she heard the voice was moving opposite of her direction. Relief escaped from her mouth as she realized she has not been discovered. ...Wait, didn't it sounded like a child? Emma stiffen when she recalls the voice.

Curiosity washed over Emma as she begins to move towards the room the child ran off to. When she turned into a corner, Emma was distraught at the sight before her as she saw a very malnourished young lady biting ruthlessly off the bread she left a week ago.

The young lady's cheekbone could be seen as her skin were sunken so low after the days fasting. Her frail arms looked terrifyingly weak as it was more bones than flesh. The poor lass was trembling violently as she took another piece of the bread with her shaky hands.

It was then Emma saw a crutch beside her. Emma eyes widen in disbelief once more as her eyes traced back to the burned and injured feet she had. Oh my God, what sin did she commit to deserve this?

It took all of her will not to broke down and cry as she watched the young lady desperately tears another piece at the molded bread in such a desperate pace to appease her hunger. Her eyes looked so joyful despite the disgusting and molding bread on her mouth.

Emma stared at the young child's body as it was thinner than anything she had ever seen before. She did not know how long she manages to survive to be reduced at that state. "?" Emma's ears perked up as she swore she could hear whispers.

She inches her body closer to hear what she was saying. "...ood...good... it's so good." Emma puts a hand on her mouth as a soft gasp escaped on her lips. No please don't eat it. I have bread, I have fresh ones! A tear threatens to fall off on her face when Emma heard those words.

The word heart breaking would not do justice to what Emma was feeling right now as she watched the young girl take another bite. The small and frail figure joyfully eating a molded bread was enough to set ablaze in Emma's maternal soul to help the poor once more.

"Are you hungry?" Emma whispers softly as the young lady suddenly turned behind her. The young girl looked so terrified as she quickly back off from Emma and soon hit her back on the wall. The young girl realizing what was going on, hurriedly hide the bread from Emma.

How hungry must you've been? To hide such a rotten thing so preciously? Emma thought as she slowly raised her arms. "I'm not going to steal your bread." Emma cautiously answer but was instead meet with disdain and fear as the girl only distrust her further.

Well, we got to start somewhere. Emma thought as she showed a piece of bread to the starved lady. The young lady eyed the bread greedily as she gulped down in hunger. Emma picked off a plate nearby and place the freshly baked bread on it before slowly backing away.

The young lady eyed the bread more greedily than before as she licked her lips unconsciously. Surprisingly however, the young lady did not made a move to reach out the bread. It was as if she was distrusting of its existence.

"You can have it. I won't steal it from you." Emma whispers softly again but the lady still looked at her with such distrusting eyes when her stomach suddenly growled. As if she could not hold it any longer, the young lady quickly snatched the bread before going back to her corner.

She bite of a piece of the bread whilst staring Emma cautiously. Even when she was devouring the bread with an ever-increasing pace, the young lady did not let go of her sight, not even once. Emma on the other hand felt the warmth washing over her as she watched her eat.

There was nothing in the world more fulfilling than feeding the hungry as she soon finishes the bread. "Was it good?" Emma tried again softly. When the girl slowly nodded her head in reply, Emma was overjoyed as the young lady was finally willing to listen to her.

"I am not here to harm you." Emma said but the girl simply stared in reply. Oh dear it would take more than that huh? Emma thought but was unfazed. She was resolute to help the young lady one way or the other.

"I usually leave a loaf of bread here every week, to feed anyone who might be lost and hungry." Emma explained the but the young lady remained skeptical. "I would have change the bread today, but I wasn't aware that someone was already here."

The girl stare at her blankly before finally giving a slow nod. Yes! Emma joyful thought as she slowly pulls out a basket. "Are you still hungry? Do you want more?" Emma felt immense joy and sadness when the young girl stared at the basket full of surprise.

The young girl hesitated for a moment when her stomach suddenly growled. "Here, you can have it." Emma smiled as the girl soon took her offer. "Would you like to come with me to the orphanage?" Emma said before the young lady adamantly replied. "I am not an orphan."

Eh? Emma thought in confusion as the young lady continues while biting off a piece. "I simply ran away." Run away? You were a runaway? Emma thought as multiple ideas bloomed within her mind as to figure out why. "Why would you do that? Your family must have been worried sick for you!"

The young lady simply scoff at her inquiry as she simply answered. "I have no home to return to." The young lady said as the color seemed to drain from her eyes. Emma shuddered as she watched the young lady closes stares at the distance.

Empty... why does it look so empty? What hell did you endured to look so empty? Emma thought as her heart was further twisted to knots. It was not the look a child should have. Where have I seen it before? Emma thought as the young lady slowly closes her eyes.

It's as if she-! The young lady suddenly snapped her eyes open once more, as if she was having a nightmare. ...endured in a long war... The thought snapped into place as she recalls a distant memory. Emma could vividly remember her earlier days of the church.

When she was doing volunteer work, she could vividly recall some of the men were missing an arm. It was so long ago, but it left a strong impression on Emma as she recalls the look in their eyes. It was as if they had seen the end of their life and longed to an end.

The same look was mirrored in this girl's eye. Emma was never more horrified than she was now. The young lady before her did not seem to have the will to live on as if she was just a walking corpse now. ...I have to help her... Oh Gods almighty... I have to help her.

"Do you have any place in mind to go to?" Emma asked in the softest voice she could possibly do. The young lady shook her head in reply. "...then would you like to come with me?" The girl perked up again as she replied. "I thought I said I was not an orphan."

"Then what if you join with us? Become a sister like me." Emma said as she gestures to herself. "...I'm not one for religious commitment..." The young lady slowly replied in a dejecting tone. Oh no you don't. I'm not about to let you go.

"Oh, that won't be a problem! In fact, we do need some extra hands on taking care of the children." Emma said but the girl was still hesitant. Then how about this? "We can provide warm food for the table if you wish to join us." The girl immediately perked up as soon as food was mentioned. Emma almost laughed as to how innocent her reaction was.

A long silence soon envelops the room as Emma waited for an answer. The young lady had an unreadable expression on her face as Emma soon begins to feel anxious. To her relief however, the young lady finally replied as she slowly nodded her head.

Emma clasped her hands as a wide smile plastered on her face. "I promise you this child, you won't regret it." The young lady seem to have something to say but stopped midway. "Ah that's right! I have yet to know your name. I am Emma, what's yours?"

The girl blinked as if she was surprised before pondering her reply. Well, I guess I can't have your name that easy eh? No matter, I will help- "...Lucy... my name is Lucy..." Lucy finally replied as she avoided her gaze. Emma blinked for a moment before a smile appeared on her face.