I woke up in a normal day. The sun was smiling at me, I was in a good mood. Everything seemed to be perfect until I found out that there was something that hid in my small hut…
When I went downstairs, I noticed a strange voice. It was coming from outside. First, I hesitated about it but then I felt curious and chose to check what that noise was, just in case. When I got out, the voice was gone. “Well, that’s a bit strange.” I thought. But then, I heard the noise again. I turned my face to the small hut that I made myself before. The voice had to be coming from there. I moved forward in small steps. It was like a child’s voice but I was not close enough to hear clearly so I moved a little bit more. Yes, it must had been a child’s voice. I quickly opened the door and started to check the place. Then I noticed a motion next to the desk. There was a girl who looked like fourteen years old and her face was covered with mud. “Hi there, would you like to come out and talk?” I said in a friendly voice. She looked at my face with fear but then she got up and continued staring at me. “Ok…” I spoke. “Who are you buddy? What are you doing here, do you need any help? Talk to me please. I won’t hurt you.” She took a deep breath and started talking. “My name is Amelia. I’m fifteen years old and from … It doesn’t matter. I was running from my dad and I found this small hut, seemed perfect to hide. So, I got in and here I am!” I was shocked. Why was she running from her dad? “Um, I’m Dean. Was your dad following you? Did he see you while you were coming here?” She laughed at me. “Sir, is that really the main problem now? You have got to hide me from that monster I’m begging you!” Her eyes filled with tears.
I didn’t think any second. “Of course I’ll help you, don’t worry about that. Where do you live? I need the exact location. We’ll report to the police.” She opened her eyes wide and screamed “No, no you can’t call the police! If he learns that I’m here, he will kill me …” The desperation in her eyes had seeped into me. I was totally confused. But a voice from inside said that I need to listen to the girl. “Ok, calm down. What do you want to do about it? I’m listening.” She looked at me with pleading eyes. “Can you just give me some food? I’m starving.” I gave her some food then asked some questions about her. “Do you have any sister or brother?” “I had one…” she said. “He died when I was young. Dad said that he fell to a river and drowned. But I don’t believe him. He was the only one that I love. I don’t know my mom. I don’t know what happened to her neither. But now, it’s just me and dad” I was furious. Who could do that to a child? She continued. “I don’t want to live with dad anymore. But I have no one left. Could you take care of me sir? I was seeing you every day in your backyard. You seemed to be a good man. I’m sure you are. You’re helpful and kind compared to my dad. I thought you would be a good father to me. I apologise that I bother you but I didn’t have any choice. Could you forgive me?” I got emotional. That girl just wanted to live a normal life. She reminded me something. Something that I couldn’t forget. Something that gives me pain everyday … “You know what? I’ve lost someone that I love too. My family…” She was astonished. “Really?” she asked hesitantly. I smiled and hugged her. She leaned her head on my shoulder and started crying. I felt peace for the first time in a long time… Maybe life had never been fair to her but opening a new page in her life would change her completely.
I had found my family again. One day I would understand that she was my lost treasure. She would be everything for me. If life had never united us, then I would live in solitude and she would live in… I don’t want to think. The thing I know for sure is that she is safe now and I will protect her for the rest of my life. Because seeing her smile was my greatest treasure…
“The most precious jewel you can carry around your neck is your child’s arms”
“Protecting homeland begins with protecting children”