young child.

As Gastile and the girl wandered further down the path, the girl stopped.

In the brush she heard crying.

Curious, the girl stopped.

Inching toward that familiar sound, she saw a young child. 

“Do I know you?” the girl inquired. 

“You seem oh so familiar.”

“No.” the child answered quickly as she ducked her head between her thighs.

“No one knows me.”

The girl sat beside the child; comforting her, singing to her.

“I promise you, young child, you will

feel this pain no longer.

Years may pass, and you will

feel this pain. But when the 

time comes, you will soon be happy.”

The child looked up at her and smiled. 

“I hurt.” the child said. 

“And I have no one.”

The girl knew. The girl knew this child’s pain.

“I know, sweet child, I know.”

“May I come with you?” the young child begged.

She pleaded.

Yearning to join them on their journey.

‘No.’ the voices said.

‘You already have too much pain.’

“You have to stay here.” the girl told the child.

The young child began to weep.

“But don’t fret. I know your pain. And for that I 

give you a piece of my heart. I will always be with you. 

always.”