Marked

Prolouge

"She's in danger."

" I know that Tom, but.... I can't leave her."

Kim and Tom Woods are in the hospital, seeing the baby that Kim gave birth too.

"There is another way you know."

Kim and Tom looked at the hooded man.

" You may keep her until 13,when she is considered as an adult. Then you must give her. That's the only other way."

Tom nodded. He looked at Kim. "What do you think?"

Kim looked at the baby she was holding. " I don't know." She hesitated.

"Kim." Tom said quietly. "It's our only choice."

Tears ran down on Kim's face. She nodded. "Fine."

"But will we ever see her again once she turned thirteen?" Kim asked.

"Not likely. Because, you see, you two are going to have to die." The hooded man said.

Kim and Tom looked at him, bewildered.

"What?" Tom whispered.

"You two are going to die. It's for the best."

Tom shook his head. Kim looked at her baby again.

"Fine." She said.

Tom looked at her with wide eyes.

"He's right. It is for the best."

"But she will still remember us."

"Not exactly. We'll wash her memories away."

"She won't remember her own uncle." Tom said. "Or her mom."

"I have one condition." Kim announced. The hooded man didn't say anything so she kept talking.

" Please, watch her for me. See that she doesn't go to her father. She will die in his hands. Please." Kim pleaded. 

The hooded man hesitated. "I will." 

"What's her name?" Tom asked, nodding his head to the baby. 

Kim watched the baby sleeping. 

"Esperanza. Our hope."