3:13 AM, Marissa was up late working when she heard a soft knock on the door. "Who in the blazes is up at this hour?" Marissa wondered. She checked the thermometer, which read 52 Fahrenheit. She put up to 72. Marissa heard more knocking, she walked over to open her velvet door. A Little Girl. "Miss," the girl said, "Can I stay with you for the night?" Marissa brushed her inside. The little girl sat at the kitchen table, shivering. "Would you like a cup of hot tea?" Marissa asked the little girl. The girl nodded as she removed her gloves, which had beautiful doves imprinted on them. Marissa turned the stove on. She filled her teapot with water, then set it over the gas stove. She noticed the little girl staring out the window, looking at the lighthouse, expressionless. "What is your name?" Marissa asked her. "Olivia." The girl replied. "What a lovely name. I say, where do you suppose your parents are?" "They are dead." "Oh, poor child. Do you have any other family?" "Yes, my aunt and uncle." "Where are they?" "It doesn't matter. I do not wish to see them again." "And why not?" "I don't want to talk about it." Olivia frowned. She stared at the flames dancing around the teapot. "It's okay," Marissa said with a smile. She turned the stove off, and she poured Olivia a cup of tea. "Here you go, dear." "Thank you." Olivia said politely. "Tell me, what brings you here?" Marissa asked, Olivia frowned again. She realized she probably shouldn't have asked that. "See that lighthouse?" Olivia pointed at the lighthouse, "When my parents were alive, we lived there together. Once they died, my aunt and uncle were more than happy to move in, after all, they'd have a servant of their own." "You had a servant?" "No, I was the servant. So yesterday, I ran away! I didn't go too far though. Still, the police are looking for me." Just then, a young officer knocked on the door. "Stay here." Marissa told Olivia. She left the kitchen and opened the door. "Good morning, Ma'am." He said. "Oh please, it's 3. You can barely call that morning." The man chuckled, "Is she here?" "Depends on who you're looking for." "Listen, I don't want to do this right now, but Olivia is legally supposed to be with her guardians." Olivia popped out of the kitchen, "You're not taking me back!" "Olivia," Marissa said, "Come here." Olivia did as told. "Thank you," The officer said, "Now if you'd just follow me, we can go to my ca-" "No." Marissa daringly said. "I'm sorry?" "Did her aunt and uncle adopt her?" Marissa asked, partly knowing the answer, partly hoping she was right. "Well, no. Bu-" "Then I will." Marissa said firmly. "Fine." The policeman gave in. He left and Marissa closed the door. "Am I gonna live with you?" Olivia asked her. "Yes. And your aunt and uncle will never, I mean NEVER lay their hands on you here." Instead of thanking her, Olivia leaped at Marissa, she caught the strange little girl, who is now her daughter. "Thank you, Mommy." Olivia whispered. The end! (Hope you liked it!) Words I used: Thermometer, Velvet, Dove, Glove, Lighthouse.
