A Second Chance

'A plateau?' I thought.

How could this be? I was just in my room. where is my home? And i'm... a girl now?

'Theres no point in wondering what happened. I am sure answers will come sooner or later. For now I guess I should find civilization.'

I got up, feeling the prickly grass below my feet and started walking towards the forest in the distance. I placed out my hand, brushing the tall grass. The smell of pollen intoxicated the air but It smelled sweet. A subtle breeze whizzes past my face, making my new shoulder length red hair flutter, which was quite refreshing.

When was the last time I was so relaxed? I feel as if my body and spirit are working as one now. Just like how a storm connects the sky and the sea I am one. An icy cool wells up inside me like eating ice cream on a hot summers day. It feels nice compared to the hot sun shining down on the plateau.

I keep walking toward the forest hoping to find something that points to the existence of civilization. After climbing up a hill I saw a single house. It was quite abnormal compared with my house as it looked like it came from a different world, which technically it was. After walking for two hours I finally found shelter. If anyone lived here, i didn't know, but walking for two hours left me quite parched and craving something to eat.

Naturally, I knocked on the door hoping someone was home. Just as I was about to turn away and keep walking a young man answered the door. He had a shaggy beard and was about six feet tall. He was quite fit, probably from living in this place for so long, hunting and other tedious tasks.

He had a serious expression, "Do you need something little girl?"

Thats right, i'm a girl. I almost forgot.

I looked up at the man and replied, "I'm very sorry to trouble you but I don't know where I am. I woke up in the plateau about 2 hours south and walked here. I'm also really thirsty. may I ask for some help?"

"I'm sorry," he said with a saddened face. "I don't know if—"

Before he could finish his sentence a women in a cooking apron shouted out from what i assumed was the kitchen, "Dear, who's at the door?"

She then proceeded to come take a look for herself. Upon seeing a child at the door, the women immediately smiled, "Who is this adorable little girl?"

Ouch, I may be shorter now that i'm a girl but i'm still the average height for one!

"I'm sorry to trouble you two, I'm lost and I don't remember anything before waking up in this place."

Of course this was not true but I didn't think that they needed to know. The less they know the better.

"I'll get out of your hair, I'm really sorry to trouble you two." I turned to walk away when the lady stopped me.

"Don't be silly!" She looked quite upset that I had decided to leave and was making a mad pouty face, "Come inside, I was just making lunch. You can go freshen up in the bathroom, its the second door down the hall on the right."

"Thank you!"

As the women heard this she could not help but smile and then went back to cooking lunch. The man stared at me and said, "Make yourself at home," then walked to the dining room table with a smirk and sat down reading a newspaper.

The interior of the house was quite large. There were three stories and it had many rooms. I quickly went to the bathroom to wash up. It was decently sized and had a large bathtub. I went to the sink and washed my hands and face. When I looked up, I saw the appearance of someone I did not know. It was me but I still couldn't believe it. The long eyelashes, the turquoise eyes, the facial features, all of it was different then my old body. Although, my breasts were a bit small they will definitely grow in time! Yes I must believe they will!

I left the bathroom and returned to the dining room. I found the two of them waiting for me at the table with another addition, a little boy.

I sat next to the little boy and said grace(1) before eating.

The little boy stared at me as I ate, probably thinking about who I was. Awkward silence crowded the table so I decided to break the silence myself, "Thank you for taking me in. I am in your debt. May I ask your names?"

The women looked at me and smiled, "Its really no problem. I'm Elena, this is my husband Markus and this little cutie is my son Zephyr."

Zephyr looked at me and smiled, "You can call me Zeph!"

I chuckled a bit then pat his head, "All right little Zeph."

Zeph beamed as I said this, obviously happy that I pat his head.

Elena laughed a bit then spoke, "What's your name?"

I haven't thought about that! I can't use my previous name because I was previously a boy but now...

I decided to play innocent, "I don't remember anything about my past, not even my name. The last thing I remember is waking up in the plateau." I put on a fake frown and looked down at my empty plate.

Zeph blurted out, "Then lets give you a name! Mom and dad can help too!"

Elena and Markus looked like they were ready to scold Zeph for being rude but I interjected, "Haha, okay Zeph, what do you think I should be called?"

"Hmmmm, I don't know. This is hard!" He had a thinking face and stared off into the distance.

"Mrs. Elena and Mr. Markus what do you think?" I asked.

Elena looked at her husband then turned back tho me. "Well, If I had a daughter I would have named her Nova. If you want you can take that name."

I looked at them sincerely, and noticed their faces falter. I could only guess that they had a daughter but something must have happened. I did not press them any further as not to intrude.

I smiled greatly, "Then I will be your daughter. That is, if you are okay with it. I do not have a family or my memories but I can still make a new family and new memories."

They looked like their cat had just died because both Elena and Markus got teary eyed.

I quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything bad by it."

"No, no, its quite the opposite. I'm very thankful that you think that highly of us to consider us as family. I would love nothing more than for you to join our family."

Elena, even after saying this, was still tearing up and I started to as well. I got up out of my seat and went to hug Elena and she reciprocated my wishes, Zeph and Markus joined in as well.

'Thank you,' i thought. 'Thank you for giving me a second chance at life.'

(1): Grace is a prayer said before a meal in the catholic religion.