Prologue

Once upon a time, during the night of New Year's Eve, a little girl was walking around in the forest alone. She was barely dressed for the harsh winter climate, a dirty old jacket two sizes too big, and a jumper looking like one for toddlers underneath. She had thick black pants that seemed to help a bit, but shoes with no socks and mittens with holes. Her hat was falling apart, and the little girl was shaking amid nature's bitter essence. She wasn't walking aimlessly, no, had a purpose in her steps and a bag on her shoulders, the back was heavy and weighing her down, though she had no intention to stop.

While, just a bit away from her, there lay an injured wolf pup. Its hind leg had a big cut, probably gotten from the unexpected fall of a tree branch, laying a few inches away. The pup was a he, and lay alone, letting out little painful whimpers and muelings from time to time.

The little girl, upon realising there was an injured wolf in her path got startled and stopped for a minute. In her short life, she had come across quite a few animals, but never a carnivore, nevertheless a wolf. Though Little girl had no idea it was a wolf pup. To her, the injured animal looked like a husky dog, the one she had seen in parks, and longed to befriend one. Cause her public school teacher taught them 'Dog is a man's best friend', and she longed for a friend. After coming over the shock, she took a cautious step towards the animal, but a weak yet warning growl from the "husky" had her quickly retreating her steps. "Hi, I not trying to hurt. I only help. Angel promise" the girl spoke as if the pup would understand her. The pup tilted its head, peering at the girl, never moving it's gaze even as she advanced. The little girl, happy with the compliance shown, advanced to inspect her newfound acquaint. "You got ochie. Come I take you to my home and fix you there" the girl replied while walking into a nearly hidden cave a few meters away from where the wolf lay. The cave was almost invisible from the hanging tree branches and the snow, but she knew where it was and how to get in. The girl went in, and the pup had no idea how or what to do or even whether should he trust her or not. After keeping her bag in and rummaging around a bit, she emerged again, but this time with a rolling sledge, which looked more like a worn-out wooden plank. "Here husky, get on and then I can take you in. I fix you. Ochie would hurt if you walk " she explained while rolling the sledge near to the injured canine. The pup let out a pained growl and the child hurried to get him on. Once onboard, she presented normal belts, and some scarfs to secure the pup, being mindful of the cut. Slowly and cautiously with quite a lot of effort, she got the "husky" in her ''home''. The cave was lit from a recently made small fire in the middle. It looked like the fire was made from dry twigs and leaves collected on one side of the cave. The cave had a corner for food, clothes, books and broken toys. There was a rugged blanket on the floor, close to the fire, accompanied by a teddy and worn-out mattress underneath it. Once certain that the place was nicely illuminated and the pup was near the fire, she removed the constraints. Making sure the pup was comfortable, young lady wordlessly cleansed the wound, but not before washing out her own hands, from the bottle she had stored. Once done, she went to the bag, one she was previously carrying around and pulled out a highly used first aid box. "This will sting. But it important." She warned before applying the disinfectant and saying soothing words when the pup whimpered. "And done. See you will be good by tomorrow." She said with an enthusiasm after finishing up bandaging the wound. For an almost 5 year old, the little girl did well, but given the conditions she was staying in, it felt the skill came from necessity.

After helping husky, she went to wash her hands, and then again to her backpack. Quietly she began to take out things from her bag, like food items, clothing, used books and few other trash, placing them in their respective assigned spot. Once done, she grabbed her dinner, consisting of a cold sandwich and offered bits of uncooked meat to the pup. The pup looked down at the food for a few moments, and then slowly started to eat. After finishing up the meal, the girl set up the beds for both, using a spare blanket to make husky's. The girl was asleep as soon as her petite body collapsed on the mattress. The cave once illuminated by the little fire was slowly sinking into darkness as the fire went out. The serene silence around both was broken by the girls sneezing and coughing. Now that the pup got a better chance to examine the girl, he could see the telltale sign of her being sick. The skin had gone pale, with the bluish hue on lips and fingers. She was skinny, bones too prominent to be healthy. The pup would have liked to carry out its observation, but today's events worn him out, and soon he was out cold.

In the morning, both were woken up by the ray of sunshine peeping in. The pup was feeling much better with cut completely healed, but the little girl was feeling even more poorly. Now the bluish hue was spreading all around her body, and the effort to keep breathing for her was visible. She barely was able to keep her eyes open. It was then the pup heard his father howling outside, probably searching for him, worried beyond words. He eyed the child one more time, contemplating on what to do, but with a final bow and ''I will be right back'' bark, he left the cave. The girl took the bark as a sign of farewell and just mumbled her goodbyes.

It was some minutes after, the little girl made her way outside of the cave as breathing in was becoming too difficult. She leaned on a nearby tree, puffing hard to breath in the air in her lungs, but to no avail. Shortly, the poor child was slipping in and out of darkness, playing a game she was surely destined to lose. As she gave in to the darkness summoning her, a distinct cry of a boy could be heard. The young lad was a few years older than her, coming to her along with his dad. Both of them were shocked upon arrival. They tried to wake up the child, but she was out with her body as cold as ice. As quickly and steadily possible, the adult carried the child to the nearby hospital. It didn't taking him much time to reach the aforementioned destination, given with the madness he was navigating. Upon arrival, the little girl, who now seemed to have completely lost the consciousness was rushed to the ER and the man and the boy were asked to wait.

It was after the treacherous 2-hour wait, where they called in with some information. "Hello I'm Dr John, Mr.." the doctor started giving a greeting to the man who brought the girl in."Wood, Cedric Wood, and this us my son Orion" the man - Cedric introduced both him and his son. "Hello Mr Wood, lets cut the chase and get to the point shall we." The doctor finished and continued the talk when Cedric nodded."The child you brought in is suffering from a severe case of pulmonary pneumonia, along with second-degree hypothermia and broken ribs. There are other issues, like undernourishment and unhealed wounds, or in general down the bar health. We had to perform a mini surgery on her to resuscitate her lungs and start in with endotracheal tube and IV fluids. The child is out of danger now, we were able to stabilise her, but a minute late and it would have been a lost cause. Now, given her health status or lack thereof, and severity of the conditions, I would advise to keep her in hospital for at least a week or more." Dr John took a break to let the information he just gave sink in. "But she is going to be fine regardless right? Nothing too dangerous?" Orion asked in a scared timid voice."There is nothing to worry about buddy. Now that she has been taken care of, with plenty of rest, proper nutrition and care, she would be good as new in a few weeks. Also, Mr Wood, I was just now informed of the circumstances you found the child in. I would personally like to praise you for doing your duty as a good civilian. I hope more people start to take on their responsibility in the society and stop by to help those in need. " he started with high spirit pitch, muttering and shaking his head while saying the last sentence as if remembering something disgraceful. "As per hospitals and child services protocol, a social worker would soon be with you for some formalities. Ah, there she is" he said with a smile while looking at a lady coming there way with a pen and paper in her hands. Cedric noted that the woman gave more of police officer vibe. "Hello, gentleman I'm Officer Reene. I work under the conjoint child services and adoption department. I was called in here in regards to a child found in unfortunate circumstances in the forest. I believe you are Mr Wood, the one who found the child." The woman asked in all strict and no-nonsense tone and extended her hand to Cedric. He gave a firm shake, and then replied " Yes, I'm Cedric Wood. It was my son - Orion, who found the little girl." The women - Officer Renne, took a glance at the Orion, note it down and then moved forward with her questioning "May I ask what you were doing there in the middle of the forest? And what exactly did you saw and happened?" she inquired. "We were playing catch in the secluded part of the park, near the forest. Orion missed, and the ball went in. He ran behind to be it, but after a while, he came back frantic saying there was a little girl in there. I followed him and tried to wake the girl, but she was slipping in and out of consciousness. Understanding the issue was a bit more serious, I rushed her to the hospital." Cedric replied, twisting the truth a bit. The woman noted it down and carried on with a few more questions. When done she waited to question the child, but when informed by the doctor the child won't be up until 24 hours, she went her way, with an arrangement to come back once little girl is up and ready to answer some questions. Soon, the little girl, who's name, contrary to Orion's belief is actually Phoenix and not Angel, was sent to live in an adoption centre called -' The Home'.

Slowly, but surely Phoenix got close with Orion or Rock and Cedric or Sky. She became a permanent guest to their home during weekends and weekdays too if feasible. All her vacation whether small or big was spent with them. It was with time Cedric and Orion realised how much innocent, kind and short-tempered Phoenix really is. And how this little fierce ball had wormed her way in their heart. It was 3 years after the incident, on Phoenix's 8th birthday Cedric decided to adopt her. After the treacherous process, involving thousands upon thousands of approvals for house test, surprise test, financial test, character test, background check, and many more, they finally got to adopt Phoenix.

It was, on her 8th birthday that the adoptio was finalised. There was no bound of happiness of the little girl and her now official family.

31st December,

Hi Sakhi, how are you? I'm very happy today, like being on cloud nine happy. Why? Well, for one it's my birthday today, I turn 8. And other, I got a fostered family. Who? Well, you remember Sky and his son Orion right? I mean Rock, silly me. We met him 2 years back, along with his dad, when they saved us from the snowstorm and brought us to this orphanage - The Home. Funny enough no matter how good the place is, it never felt like home. Anyway, Sky said that he finally got permission, and now I stay with them permanently. They are the only ones whom I trust and confide in, and I'm happy to get fostered by them. I don't know how, but just in a small amount of time, we made a thick bond. Sky is a good man Sakhi, ever since that incident, he had always came to visit me in the hospital, and all weekends were spent at their place. Rock had always treated me as a sister like a figure, from fighting with me to fighting for me. He has been an awesome big brother like, and I would love to have him as my foster big brother. And I would also like Sky as my fostered dad. All I ever wanted was a family to love for and be cared for. I would be lying if I said I never dreamt of all three us being a family. It would be fun to part of something I always longed to have. To have people to share your entire existence with. To know the people whom I trusted to catch me when I fall, are not leaving me behind and want me to be part of their journey. To know I'm not the only one feeling the pull of our bond.

Tomorrow, I would be leaving this place and move to their house. This all feels like a fairy dream Sakhi. Like so surreal. I just hope everything goes well, and this marks as a start of something good in life, for all three of us.

Though I do feel guilty for not being completely honest Sakhi. But it's not like I could, not without fearing the consequences. I hope my past choices doesn't come to bit me in the back.

Gotta sleep now, big day tomorrow. Bbye Sakhi. Good Night.

... What she didn't knew was that she unconsciously is moving towards the same past she desperately in trying to avoid.