When the soul is forced out of the body before its time. 

What happened to that child?

Her soul could not cope with the abuse her physical body endured. It escaped with no definite place to go.

How can I help her?

We have called upon you for that reason but do you truly wish to help this child?

Yes.

Why?

I'm not sure why.

A clean slate. Souls like yours tend to forget their past life because they do not wish to remember. Perhaps while helping this child, you will find something to fill that emptiness inside. 

Where do I begin?

The heavens have mended her mind and body but without a soul, she cannot exist. Do you understand now?

Yes—to share my soul.

And only yours will do. But you must not forget to quickly find her soul for two minds cannot share one soul indefinitely.

Mana's eyes opened. She felt oddly different and yet the same. While sitting up, she looked at her hands and feet. Did they belong to her? She wiggled her little fingers and felt her toes move. They sure were. Mana looked up to see the trees full of leaves. But wasn't it winter? Blue skies. Leafy trees. Where was this place? She must have fallen asleep. Mana felt the green grass with her hands. The nice cool tingling sensation made her giggle and it woke the handsome stranger beside her. He blinked as Mana leaned over to take a closer look. She noticed they shared the same deep indigo colored eyes. Mana had seen it many times before in the mirror while brushing her teeth like a good girl.

Suprisingly unafraid, she reached out to touch his soft brown hair. The strange man sat straight up and lifted her to one side.

"Are you an angel?"

"Uhh—something like that. Why?"

"I knew. Because Mommy said that angels will watch over me when she isn't around. So I shouldn't do anything bad like stepping on ants but I wouldn't do it anyways because they will climb up my shoe and bite me."

"I see." The man rubbed his eyes. "We should go find your mommy and daddy."

"Adam isn't my real daddy. I only call him daddy because it makes mommy happy."

"So he's your step-dad?"

"I don't know. I just call Adam 'daddy' but I know for sure he isn't my real daddy because I saw my real daddy once in my dream. He is handsome. More handsome than Adam."

"Oh really? Very handsome? How about me?"

"You're the same as my real daddy." Her wide innocent smile was contagious. She was incredibly adorable but what was her name?

"My name is Mana Kim. What is yours?"

"Well—it seems I don't really have one."

"Oh oh! Can I call you Mr. Curly Bear? Please? Your hair is soft like Mr. Curly Bear's."

"You can call me whatever you like, sweetheart. Let's go find mommy and Adam. They must be worried sick about you."

"But mommy said not to follow strangers."

"How can I be a stranger when I'm your guardian angel friend, Mr. Curly Bear?"

"Oh that's true."

Mr. Curly Bear held out his hand to Mana and she latched onto it happily.

"But how will we find mommy and Adam? I tried to go home but I just get lost."

"Don't worry. I'm not an angel for nothing. I know exactly where mommy is. Do you want to go there first?"

"Yes please. I miss her very much."

As Mr. Curly Bear held Mana's little hand, a special bond formed. It was not only a soul they both shared. Their bond was blood deep.

"I hear your mommy is searching very hard for your soul."

"My soul?"

"Yes, your very own soul."

"But what is a soul?"

"Well—I'm not very sure but I know you can't exist without one."

"But I'm here with you now."

"That's because you're sharing my soul."

"Does that mean I'm part of you? But Mana is Mana and Mr. Curly Bear is Mr. Curly Bear."

"And because you're Mana and I'm Mr. Curly Bear, we have to find your soul soon."

"What happens if Mana's very own soul is super good at playing hide and seek? Will Mana disappear?"

"That won't happen. We will find your soul and Mana, mommy, and Adam will live happily ever after."

"With Mr. Curly Bear too!"

"Yes, with Mr. Curly Bear too—"

"But I think mommy will be very sad if Mana disappeared. Mana will be sad too."

"Mr. Curly Bear will be sad too. So let's not make anyone sad, okay?"

"Okay."