The Love Of The Lost

Chapter 1

Ariette

It is dark outside, so dark someone wouldn't be seen there were only stars but no moon which I found weird. I walked towards the direction of my apartment downtown from the restaurant where I used to work. I had to find a new job because I just got fired just because I couldn't stand irregularities when they occur. When bad things frequently happen to you, you get used to having bad luck.

I am used to having bad luck in fact bad luck is supposed to be my middle name, I keep on getting into one trouble or the other.

As I walk on, I hear soft whimpers which stops and is replaced with a soft sob, I stop in my tracks and turn towards the direction of the sound. It is coming from the alley nearby so I get my phone out, switch on the torch and walk into the alley. I am greeted by the sight of a little girl sitting beside the dumpster at the far end of the alley hugging a cow plushie to her chest, she had to be at least 4 years old if her face wasn't covered in snot and tears she would have been someone I'll fawn over in a millisecond but she was so cute and adorable with her long brown locks and bright brown eyes.

Her parents must be worried, maybe she got lost. I mean which responsible parent will lose a child of this age? I thought children are practically their parent's handbags......wait a second, don't people trick others into kidnapping by using children? But that face doesn't look like she was fake crying. Eeehn fuck it. I moved forward towards her carefully and stopped three feet from her.

"Hey there darling, where's mommy and daddy?" I whispered, she just cried out in reply, whoa something horrible must have happened. I stretched my hand out and moved closer to her. "My name is Ariette. Why are you crying? Beautiful girls don't cry now wipe your eyes let's go look for daddy and mommy".

I used my handkerchief to wipe her tears which oddly made me unhappy, I mean who won't be sad seeing that adorable face cry? I blew her nose too and she muttered a quiet thank you. She put her little hand in mine and we walked out of the alley into the main street. "So where last did you see them darling?" She tugged the hem of my shirt and signaled me to bend down. " They die, big gun and scary man. Mummy say Rome to run and go meet Uncle Artie". She whispered to me in a croaked but cute voice. Despite the surprise of how good her speech was, I picked her up and cradled her in my arms. Who the hell was that and how was I going to find him?

A child Rome's age after witnessing her parents murder shouldn't even be able to say a word. Reporting to the police seems like the only solution and it can't be done this night. " Baby, how old are you?" "Tiwee" She replied holding up three fingers which I found so cute, I knew keeping her with me tonight was the best option but I had to ask her because if I don't that'd be kidnapping right?

"Rome, will you like to stay with me for the night? Then tomorrow we'll go find your Uncle Artie, hmm baby?" I asked but got no answer because she was already asleep, her face looked red and blotchy and her nose was almost turning purple. Poor baby, she looked so adorable with her thumb in her mouth and my heart melted there and then. I then found myself ready to do anything to help this bundle of cuteness.

As we got to my house, a nice two bedroom bungalow my foster parents left to me not that they actually wanted to give me but I was the only relative they had left. No distant relative or friends and they didn't will it to anyone it was just common sense that they gave it to me, it was old and needed some fix up but it's better than nothing right?

I opened my room and placed sleeping Rome on my bed, I couldn't put her in the other room because that is where my sewing machines were. Sewing was a very addictive habit of mine. I found myself sewing whenever I had extra cash to buy materials and mannequins. I have always wanted to have my own line of wears and see people wear my clothes everywhere.

It has always been a dream of mine which I don't know how or when it's going to come to pass. So I just do the best I can by trying to show my designs to fashion companies, some of them turn me away and some of them take my designs and send me away. I didn't have the money to go to fashion school and perfect my skills so I just stuck to sewing for myself.

I tuck in Rome well and turn on the heater because of the chilly weather. I then went into my bathroom and had a shower and wore comfortable nighties which I made for myself and slept beside Rome. Tomorrow I will go to the police and tell report finding Rome.

I couldn't really sleep, I tossed and turned all night trying to avoid nightmares so as not to wake Rome up with my screams. I then stood up and went to my sewing room and kept myself busy finishing some clothes I was making for the summer. Some of the clothes I sew, are mostly donated to an orphanage down my street because some of the kids there don't have appropriate clothes for the seasons so I took it upon myself to donate clothes to them every season.

Finishing up a gown, I heard a loud bang followed by a scream coming from my room. I dropped all I was doing and ran to my room to see the most heartbreaking sight ever. Rome was sitting up with tear filled eyes crying her eyes out, I quickly rushed to her side and gathered her up in my arms "Shh it's okay baby I'm here." She held me tight and I tried my best to calm her down. By the time she was calm she tried to speak but it was just sighs and hiccups "What's it darling? What do you want to say? What did you see?"

"Mummy", sobs "Daddy" I felt so bad for her, I knew how she felt loosing her parents like that. Holding her, I tucked us in and we both fell asleep and surprisingly, had a dreamless sleep. At that moment, I had no idea what I was going to do to help Rome locate her family. I had no phone, little money zero experience with government officials. I only knew that I was going to figure it out. How? I didn't know.

Hello everyone!! Reena here... It's so exciting to finally take a step to begin this writing journey. I am so elated and I hope you guys are too. Thank you all for clicking on my book, I hope you enjoy it.....