It was a freezing cold, cloudy, dark day in Seoul, and little Kira Davis was all alone, like always. On a little park bench where she often slept, she folded her hands in prayer. “Umma…” She started as a chilly wind blew her long, brunette hair around her. “Today I’m going to look for a job again… please pray for me. Appa… are you taking care of Umma where you are? I’m sure it’s much nicer than where I am. I promise that one day, I will grow strong, and become someone you can be proud of. I know none of this was your fault…” Her eyes began prickling with oncoming tears. “Saranghaeyo.” She whispered as a small, cold tear slithered down her cheek. 

She stood up from the bench with a sigh. “I’m off.” She whispered to herself. The little 7 year old made her way to the vast sidewalks of Seoul to begin her search for any job she could find that would give her enough to buy her own meals, instead of begging and stealing from street vendors.

She had been out for hours with no luck at all. Who would want a scrawny, filthy little child to work for them? She planted her worn out self on the curb of the sidewalk and curled into a tiny ball, sobbing, until she felt a small hand place itself gently on her shoulder. “Annyeong…” She said. “Are you alright?”

Little Kira looked up to see the bright face of a young girl slightly older than herself. She was… beautiful. It was shocking. “I…I…” Kira stumbled to her feet at a loss of words. How dirty and disgusting she must have seemed in this girls eyes. But all the other girl did was smile.

“It’s alright! What’s your name?” She asked. “Ki…Ki…” but the words wouldn’t come out. “Kiki?” She chuckled. “It’s cute! I’m-” “AMBER!” An Ajumma shouted from down the street toward them. She turned to Kira again. “I’m so sorry, I have to ho. Will you be alright?” Kira simply nodded receiving a smile from the other. “Alright. Can you meet me here tomorrow?” Again, Kira simply nodded at a loss of words. She couldn’t believe that this girl actually wanted to meet her tomorrow, let alone even talk to her kindly at all!

“AMBER!” “NE! Coming Mother!” She shouted. Then she patted Kira’s head, handing her 55,000 won from her pocket. “Here.” She said with a smile. “You need it more than I do.” Then after she pecked Kira’s forehead, she disappeared in a crowd of people.

But she never came back.

Amber: