Floating Stars

Chapter 5: Lost Child

Astrid stepped back from her easel, her paintbrush lying in her loose grip. She placed it down and stroked her chin with her now empty hand and pondered the subject of her painting: A fleshy mound sat heavily on a floor of various shades of greens and browns. Drops of gloomy rain cascaded down in their different trails along the pinkish surface and mixed into heavy lines of crimson. She also painted a dark shadow of an open hand across the mound- the contrast of the light and dark colours used, gave the scene an emotional depth that communicated the abuse that the pink mound had just experienced.

Astrid never understood the mixed emotions that she felt within this dream. It felt as if she hovered ten feet in the air above the scene, not able to look away, even though that's all she wanted to do. The dream always ended with a sudden jerk and her falling through the hollow darkness only to find herself lying in her bed, in the black of night.

Only this time did she feel the pull to go and paint.

Her thoughts as she analysed her latest piece of work were interrupted by a knock at her door. She checked her watch, both of the hands on the tiny clock face on her wrist pointed straight up. It was midnight, and the banging at the door did not cease. It went on until she answered the door.

"Do you know what time it is?" she asked the silhouetted figure standing there.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know where else to go," said a familiar voice.

"Amber?"

"Yes!" The delight in the girl's voice echoed down the corridor of the flat building floor.

"Shh!" Astrid hushed, worried that the girl's excitement may wake the neighbours. The last thing she wanted to do was to explain to them why a strange child was knocking on her door at this time of night. "Just come in!"

Amber's smile grew wider and she walked straight in without hesitation. "I can't believe you remembered my name just like that!"

Astrid closed the door behind her and looked down at the beaming red-head, let out a deep breath and indicated the couch, which Amber happily skipped towards and sat down.

"Okay," Astrid started with a sigh. "I have so many questions." Amber's smile dissolved and she slowly nodded her head as she took in Astrid's concerned expression. "What are you doing here, Amber?"

"I didn't know where else to go."

"Yes, you said that earlier." Astrid's eyes searched for the best words to say, but this was such a strange situation. "Look, you can't be here. You need to go back to the home. It's late and I'm sure the staff will be looking for you."

Amber shook her head. "They never realise when we're gone straight away. Also, I don't care!"

"Now, come on," Astrid began her gentle chastisement, but a concerning thought crept in. "How do you know where I live?"

Heat prickled at Amber's cheeks and she bowed her head in shame.

"I see, you've been following me home haven't you?" Astrid asked, exasperated. She stood up and turned away from the sheepish girl on her couch. "Why, Amber?" she questioned over her shoulder, rubbing her hands down the length of her face, in tiredness mostly, but also to keep the frustration that was fighting its way to the surface at bay.

"I'm sorry, Miss. I just. I can't help it."

Astrid finally turned back around. "What does that mean?"

Amber shrugged.

"No, don't give me that! Look you can't be here. What will people think? What if they accuse me of abducting you?" Worry caused Astrid's voice to sound angrier than she wanted it to. "Did you think about that at all?"