1 Chapter 1

Sitting outside on a porch swing sat Niva. She sat holding a picture in her hands. Over her head was a porch cover and she could hear the pitter patter of rain beating on her the cover. She looked up to see the rain bouncing off of the grass and trees outside. Tears genteelly rolled down her cheeks and she shut her eyes as tight as she could. She cried "someday I'll see you in Heaven. When I do we'll be a family again." She looked at the picture and said "don't worry mama Yilly has me all safe and sound from them." Tear drops fell on the pictures and a door slowly squeaked open. She heard footsteps coming towards her and felt the swing move, as a person sat down. Niva looked over at the person. The person smiled at her, and said "you know I don't like to see you cry." Niva wiped her eyes while saying "I know Yilly but I miss them." Yilzo hugged her and said "I know.... I miss them too." He took a tissue out of his pocket, and wiped her tears while saying "You still have me Honey Bee and you know I love you very much." Niva began to cry again while saying "I'm sorry Yilly I don't mean to cry." Yilzo smiled and said "you know if you don't stop crying I'll have to use the secret weapon." Niva cried "it won't work." Yilzo said "oh really well we'll see about that." Yilzo began tickling Niva, and she started to laugh. Niva hugged Yilzo and asked "can we play in the rain?" Yilzo smiled and said "yes."

They ran out into the rain, and played all afternoon, and then he took her to get her all washed up, made them dinner, they said their prayers together, he tucked her into bed, and read her a story until she fell asleep. He slowly left her room so she wouldn't wake up and sat on his couch in the living room. He thought to himself four months living in this cottage is taking a toll on her. I'm not her parent I can't give her what she needs..... She needs mom and dad back.... God why did you do this to us? Why did the criminals have to kill mom, and dad?! Why did my villagers have to be enslaved?! Why is this happening?!...

The hours pasted, and Yilzo finally took a shower, changed in his pjs, and went to bed. The minutes went by as Yilzo drifted into a sleep when Niva screams hit the air. Yilzo woke up, fell out of bed, and rushed to her room to see her screaming in her sleep. He rushed over to her, held her, and shouted "wake up Niva!" Niva opened her eyes and cried "Yilly." She threw her arms around him and he asked "what happened Honey Bee?" She cried "the monsters killed you too and I was all alone." Yilzo held her as tight as he could as tears rolled down his cheeks. He said "those monsters aren't going to get me okay.... You won't loose me." Niva cried "I'm sorry Yilly I didn't mean to wake you up." Yilzo said "Honey Bee you don't have to apologize for anything." Half an hour pasted and Niva was finally asleep. He tucked her in, went to his room, and went to sleep.

Dawn hit and Yilzo woke up to a kick in his back. He slowly opened his eyes to see Niva sleeping next to him. He sat up, smiled, got out of bed, and went into the kitchen to make breakfast for them both. The smell of french toast filled the air and woke up Niva. Niva ran into the kitchen, jumped into Yilzo's arms, and said "Yilly, Yilly your making my favorite breakfast!" He kissed her on the side of the cheek and said "yes Honey Bee, I know you love french toast." Niva said "especially you're french toast!" He sat her at the table, made her and him a plate, placed her plate on the table, sat down next to her, placed his plate infront of him, they both said Grace, and ate breakfast. Niva said "this is the best french toast ever Yilly!" Yilzo asked "really? How do you know?" Niva smiled and said "because I'm eating it silly." Yilzo said "well Honey Bee it seems like more is getting on your face then in your stomach." Niva laughed and said "Yilly you know I'm eating my food." Yilzo said "I know Honey Bee but its all over your face. Now lets get you all cleaned up." Yilzo picked up Niva, took her to the bathroom, and got her cleaned up.

Niva ran all around the cottage while Yilzo cleaned up in the kitchen. Niva said "Yilly I'm going outside to play." Yilzo said "okay, but stay in the backyard and don't wander." Niva replied "okay Yilly!"

Yilzo looked up to the sky and asked "why did this happen God?! She's to young to go through this! I keep praying but it seems like sometimes You don't even hear me..."