1 Chapter One

The moon's light gazed vibrantly upon the clearing in the forest, its sheer power enveloping the sleeping child that laid within. Besides the child laid a fairly small feline, it's smooth slate fur tickling the child's visible skin. As the silence went on, a man shrouded in darkness swept through the shadows of the forest, his face shaded except his eyes, his bright eyes a chrysocollan colour. With a swift flash of light, the colour disappeared, except they hadn't.

Above the child and the sleeping feline, the man stood, his chrysocollan eyes staring blankly, brighter than before. His thoughts were a jumble, his words trapped in his throat. He had nothing in which he could do. He was confused for as a child shouldn't be sleeping alone in the forest, a young one at that. The slate furred feline couldn't have protected her any better than she could had defended herself.

The man crouched, his cloak fanning out around his body, the black star diopside colour reflected a star shape in the moon's light. With a gloved hand, he reached out, slow and steady. He had no choice but to wake the peaceful child, he disapproved the thought of leaving this vulnerable child. His hand reached the thin material of which the girl wore, her skin cold to touch beneath it. There has been no wind nor rain yet the night was cold, the moon's light drawing away any and all warmth in which the day before had held.

With a faint nudge of his hand, the girl awoke, her eyes opening to reveal a clear sugilite colour. Her peaceful face morphed into that of confusion, despondency reflecting through her sugilite eyes. The man's heart seemed to shatter at the disconsolate look she gave as she gazed to the feline.

"Where am I," She asked, her voice timid and serene, "What am I doing here?"

Her eyes settled upon the man crouched before her, a sense of panic settling in.

"Please sir, don't hurt me."

He placed his hand against the floor and slowly slide back, his rear end settling comfortably against the dewy grass, his body laxe and showed no signs of harm nor willingness to attack the girl.

"I have no ill will against this young child for I am just a kind wandering man. I do not seek amusement from the pain others suffer." He said, a whisper of the words he wished to speak.

His words seem to bewilder the child, her eyes reflecting it as bright as day. What did this man mean, his words made no sense to her.

"What does this kind man mean for was I not in a vulnerable position? This kind man could have indisputably taken advantage of this child who has been led astray by this resting feline."

The feline awoke from its calming slumber, peeling open its slate furred eyelids. Hematite coloured eyes surveyed the area before fixating upon the black shrouded man. It let out a hiss, its fur spiked and its back arched. Both the man nor girl had no words to utter, they stared incredulously at the small animal for there was nothing to fear, no harm was to come of the two as the man had said.

The girl lifted her pale hand, a slight tinge of blue from the cold, and caressed the slate fur of the feline, her hand soothing and slow. There was a purr of contentment as the feline backed of, its shackles not raised to the point of hysteria. The man stared at the moment between the two, his chrysocollan eyes reflecting a brief moment of melancholy.

"Why would a young vulnerable girl such as yourself be led astray by a feline in this forest?" He said, "This forest is shrouded in darkness for animals will lay in wait."

The girl shivered as a breeze blew through the clearing, with a brief glance into the darkness, glowing eyes flashed bright before disappearing into the cover of the foliage. Without hesitation, she leapt into the man's arms, her eyes wide with panic and alarm.

"Please kind sir, please help this young child!"

The man sat, dazed and confused for the girl had leapt at him unsuspectingly. He was disappointed in himself. The man's mind became a jumble of self-discipline, reprimanding himself for letting this young girl to get past his defences. His thoughts were cut of from a loud sob. With soft chrysocollan eyes, he gazed at the crying child, crystal like tears streamed down her rosy cheeks as she buried further into the man's black shirt.

"This kind man shall try his best to help this young girl for this man hates watching those who suffer," the man said, "If this kind man is incapable of helping this girl I'll pray endlessly for God to send this man to purgatory to repent my sins."

The girl gave a watery smile, tears streaming down her now red cheeks.

"What is this kind man's name for this young girl can't continue to address this man as the kind man?" The girl asked.

"This man's name is Gianluca Thorley. What is this young child's name?"

"Hailey Cooper. Does Mr Gianluca pinky promise to help me in this dire situation?"

"I, Gianluca Thorley, pinky promise to help this young child, Hailey Cooper, in her dire situation."

As they linked their pinkys a golden light enveloped the clearing, the sun's awakening peeking through the gaps in the foliage.