"You may be pretty like a rose, but one touch could leave red. I love you, Aspie."

She smiled brightly, fighting the pain. She handed me to this woman then quickly looked around. Before I could blink, my mother was running towards the woods. The kind woman took me inside and put me down on a soft, yellow couch.

She opened the blinds just a crack and peeked through the window. A loud bang sounded, and she put her hand to her mouth. A gasp escaped her lips. She looked back at me, and forced a smile. "Let me take you upstairs to meet the others."

I giggled and reached for her hands. She hesitated, then gently held my hand as we went up the steps. We stepped through the first door in the long, gloomy hallway. Two eight-year-olds, a fourteen-year-old, and a one-year-old were present. They were all fast asleep.

I tugged on her hand. "Where will I sleep?"

She pointed to a far corner of the room. A comfy looking cot was laying on the floor next to at least a thousand stuffed animals. I laughed and hopped onto the sheets. She smiled, but it wasn't as bright as my mother's smile.

I fiddled with my fingers. "What's wrong my dear?" she asked sympathetically.

I glanced at her with sad eyes. "When will I see my mother again?"

She bit her lip, and a single tear trickled down her cheek. "She was an old friend of mine. I really will miss her dearly."

I curiously looked at her. She still didn't give me an answer. I yawned as the woman walked over. Before I closed my eyes, she stroked my cheek and kissed me on the forehead.

"Sweet dreams little one. As long as you're with me, you'll be safe."

I quickly fell fast asleep. I had a nightmare that first night. Fire was exploding out of my hands, wings flapping behind me. A man in a white coat was yelling at my mother as she picked me up and ran off. She seemed to grow wings herself, but all went black before I could fully catch a glimpse.