Dream

That night, Adrianna had the same dream again.

A few inches of fresh snow covered the ground, and she was lying on it, shivering in the cold. A snowflake fell onto her cheek and melted. She got up and patted the snow off her thin layers of clothes. The bright white snow blinded her eyes; it made it almost impossible for her to see anything.

Then she heard crying. Softly at first, but soon it grew louder, and more desperate. Her eyes were becoming accustomed to the brightness, but when she looked around, she still could not pinpoint the location of the sound.

The crying continued for a few more minutes, when it abruptly stopped. Suddenly, childish laughter, almost hysterical, maniacal, erupted next to her. She turned, but could see nothing. Then she felt a tug on her jacket - standing beside her was a young girl, no older than the age of six, too short to be previously noticed. The girl's curly brown hair was in pigtails, and she had green eyes that looked strangely familiar. She was wearing a little sleeveless black dress, barely enough to withstand the cold.

Adrianna was outraged. Who could be so heartless to leave a little girl out here? It was a miracle she was still alive. She took off her jacket and wrapped her in it. The girl sniffed. "Still cold." her voice was sweet, but sounded blocked from all the crying.
Adrianna, after a moment's hesitation, took off her woollen sweater and pulled it over the girl's head. The girl shook her head. "Still cold."

Adrianna then took off her scarf and gave it to her as well. She was freezing by then, but for some reason she couldn't bear to see her suffer. She felt like she had already gone through enough, being abandoned out here like this.

The girl shook her head. "I'll always be cold."

"Where are your parents?" she asked her.

"They don't want me anymore. But it’s not their fault."

She gave the little girl a hug. "I'm so sorry."

The girl looked at her. Her eyes were brimming with tears. Adrianna suddenly remembered who those green eyes reminded her of. A shiver went down her spine.

"I know, momma. I forgive you."