"Mummy, mummy…..mu…" Ezra's words drowned in to the air as burring tears fell down her face.

The woods filled with smoke, hundreds of innocent lives had been taken, there was nothing left of her village. Erza fell into the snow, her body crippled by the pain of the loss she felt; she was alone now, alone in this world.

The forest fell to silence as the sun rose from behind the hills, it was like the night events were just a memory. The snow had stopped falling, but the earth was now covered in its frozen whiteness. The robin bird sang out the morning song, squirrels scurried over the branches of the trees, Erza remained still, her eyes closed, dreaming.

"Don't go up there!" a voice yelled out.

"You got to catch me" the little boy laughed out, ignoring the warning.

He ran in large strides as he climbed the steep hill. Reaching the top he looked around for a hiding place, giggling he crouched down near an old oak tree. He placed his hand over his mouth so as not to make a sound, what was that?

He looked over to his right, there was something lying in the snow. He slowly pulled himself up, holding on to the tree. He leaned over a little to get a better look.

"Hello?" he called out quietly but the figure remained still and silent.

Letting go of the tree he took small steps towards the object in the snow. It was a person, a girl, he moved closer. Her scarlet hair covered her face, her body was curled up in a small ball, the snow had lay itself over her.

He kneeled down by her side, gently he rocked her body.

"Can you hear me?" he asked but she didn't speak.

He moved closer to her, gently he brushed her hair from her face. She suddenly flinched from the touch, he didn't move as she reacted. Slowly she opened her eyes; he leaned forward into her face.

"Can you hear me?" he asked again.

Her body curled up more into itself, her soft breathing turned into aching cries, the boy took her cold hand, he pushed his body more into her, giving her his warmth.

"Jellal I told you not…" Mira stopped speaking as she saw the image in front of her.

"She needs help" Jellal pleaded.

Mira wrapped the small girl in her arms; Jellal removed his jacket, offering Mira more warmth for the child. Smiling she placed his jacket on the little body and started walking back down the hill. Jellal remained close, holding Mira's arm the whole way.

Erza was pulled from her dreams, slowly she opened her eyes. Her body was wrapped in a cotton sheet, she lay on a bed, she heard voices from outside the closed door, children's voices. She pushed her body up, leaning it on her arm. Her eyes adjusted to the room, it was big, twelve or more beds rested on the walls around the room. The floor had no carpet just wood, the stone walls were decorated with drawings and photos. She sat up some more, turning her body to the window, looking out she saw children playing, chasing one another, laughing, smiling. Tears formed in her eyes as the memories shot back, the aching pain in her heart pounded as she thought of her family.

"Mummy" she whispered before the tears escaped her eyes and raced down her hot checks.

The door to the room slowly opened, a little boy with blue hair appeared, he held a tray in his hands. Erza quickly wiped her eyes with her hand and pulled her hair over her eyes. The boy struggled as he used his foot to close the door, the tray was filled with hot food and warm drinks. He gently placed it on the bed with her; carefully he cut the toast and offered her some.

Erza looked down at the damp bread which was smothered in butter; she shook her head, refusing the food. The boy took back the bread and offered it her again this time with jam. Erza smiled from the kindness of the stranger; slowly she reached out to him, taking the bread.

The boy allowed her to finish before he offered her a drink. He took time in aiding her needs, he didn't rush her nor did he make an attempt to make her talk.

"Jellal you need to come and finish your chores now please" a woman's voices shouted out from the landing.

The boy turned at the mention of his name.

"I'm coming" he replied.

Before leaving the room he walked over to a bed, Erza looked over to him, moving her hair while his back was turned. His clothes were ripped, he wore no shoes but had socks that were coloured grey, his long blue hair was flat with some strands spiked. As he turned to walk back to her she brushed her hair over her eyes, covering her face once more.

Jellal stood in front of her, his arms were starched out to her, in his hands was a small bear. It had dark blue fur and black beaded eyes. The bear wore a white jacket which had pockets, on its leg it had the name Jellal stitched into it. Erza looked up from the stuffed animal; his face looked concerned, his eyes filled with sympathy. That's when she noticed the marking on his face, over his right eye, it was a unique marking but it made you notice his dark brown eyes.

"It's for you, so when you cry you have someone to hug" he placed the bear in her resting arms before.

"Jellal" the woman's voiced called up again, this time there were footsteps heading towards the room.

Jellal picked up the tray of finished food and left the room, closing the door behind him.

Erza remained on the bed; she looked down at the bear he had given her. She hadn't noticed before but the stitching round the teddy's mouth formed a smile, she touched the stitching with her finger, tracing the line, her lips moved creating a small smile. She held the bear closer, hugging it into her, it must be his bear she thought, one that he sleeps with, she hugged it closer, it was like having someone there.