Prologue

Catina enjoyed long walks after school on the way home especially when it rained so that she can jump in the puddles of mud, not caring about the expensive books, that her poor parents bought, getting wet. But still, she smiled. Even though the other kids stared at her.

She also liked to lie on the gray, hard sidewalk and open her mouth to catch water from the rain. And she laughed. She was the most joyful 7-year-old that you could ever meet.

Coincidentally, on a Wednesday at noon, it was raining and they had been dismissed early. And knowing Catina, she rushed outside and jumped around in the downpour like crazy even though her mother had given her an umbrella. She screamed and giggled alone. But the rain was loud and strong, though. The clouds getting much darker and echoing rumbles can be heard. That didn't bother her, but she thought that it was best to keep going.

She walked on the sidewalk, stumping on water, making splashes that made her shoes more wet. Her house was far from the school so she was kind of worried that she might be going home later than usual. She stared at the road, observing several cars dashing. She wanted to stop someone so that maybe she could get help.

She didn't know how to raise her arms and she didn't want to scream just to be heard because her mother told her not to because it's rude.

A car did stop by her. The color was pink and had hints of green near the tires. It stood out among the sad, colorless surrounding. A man, also wearing pink and green clothes, got out of the car with a rainbow umbrella. "Hey, are you alright?" His warm voice made Catina smile.

"Hi, stranger,"

"Where you ought to go? Can I escort you home?" The man smiled and covered soaked Catina with his umbrella.

She nodded and the man helped her get into the car. Catina sighed, she thought that all would be fine and that now she got help from a man. Her mother won't get mad again for being late.