Chapter 1

The first time I saw her was on that fateful Sunday chilly dark night. My watch had just rung twelve and the fireworks were continuous as they illuminated the sky. I watched them from up top of a hill under the willow tree hiding my silhouette from the noisy loud festival down below. New Years was one of the biggest festivals Rotterdam throws. I saw the children chasing each other in their finest clothes. I saw a couple eating each other's faces. I saw children holding hands with their parents. I smiled a broken smile.

I had some chocolate covered churros in my hands that I had bought not too long ago. I finished them quietly, thinking of the many shits of life. I looked up to the starry night. I could make out Orion's belt and the little dipper.

And that is when I saw her. She came running up the hill with three older boys chasing and throwing pebbles at her. She was fast, outrunning them completely. As soon as they hit the steep part of the hill, the boys grew tired and left, leaving a trail of curses. She reached the top and leaned back and panted heavily. After she caught her breath, that is when she saw me. She jumped a bit and smiled. I stared at her shocked by her whole aura.

Her fiery red hair was in all directions as if a bird made a nest in it. Her dress had holes and tears and was covered in stains. Her pale skin had cuts everywhere and she did not have shoes on. She stood confidently and had a fiery aura around her. Yet there she stood smiling as if she just won a million dollars.

"Hey, mister. Close yer mouth somethin' gonna fly in it."

I tugged on my hair. "O-Oh. S-Sorry. Um... Hello?" I looked at the ground as if it became the most interesting thing I have ever seen. Is that a ladybug on that blade of grass?

"Oh Hey! I'm Scarlet. And who are ya, Mister?"

"Dillian."

"..."

"Mister, are you okay?"

"What makes you say that?"

"Well, ya got bruises on yer arms and has bags unner yer eyes." I looked up quickly at her face.

She is sharp. I'll give her that. "I am fine."

"You're lyin'."

I looked at her stunned, my eyes going wide. "I-I'm n-not."

She walked and sat in front of me and looked into my eyes. I tried to keep eye contact. I couldn't. I averted my eyes away from her.

"Sir. You're hurtin'"

I had nothing to say back at her. I stared at her.

"SCAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARLET!!!!!"

"Sorry, Mister. I gotta go. My mam's callin' me. An' by the way, ya got some brown stuff on yer chin."

I rubbed at my chin embarrassed. Stupid chocolate churros.

I didn't say anything back to her. She ran down the grassy hill to meet her mom.

I wished to myself for a caring mother like that. Who cares about you. Takes care of you. And actually loves you.