Angel nodded her head to the beat as she tapped heartily on her overturned plastic bucket. Her drumsticks caused the sound to ring out nicely, yet not many people cared to stop and watch. Too busy, they must be. She understood. People had lives. She tapped her foot and bobbed her head up and down as she lifted her eyes to the opposite side of the street. Watching people was quite an interesting experience. They all seemed so stressed, especially in this city. It was always a joy to see a smile on someone's face. Angel loved making people happy. That's part of the reason she played out on the streets, besides the need for money. Music made others happy. If only she wasn't so afraid to accompany herself with her voice.
A whimpering from nearby caused Angel's beat to slow to a stop. Tilting her head and perking her ears, she listened very carefully. Definitely not just a passing car or a kalon speaking into their cell. With a curious expression, Angel stood and picked up her bucket, holding it under her arm. She followed the sound until she spotted a bright blue flash through the crowd, hunched over on the sidewalk. It was a kit. He was crying. "Hey, hey," Angel said soothingly. The kit looked up, eyes filled with fear. "What's wrong, sweet?"
The kid hesitated, then another tear rolled down his face. "I lost my mom and dad."
"Oh, come here," Angel answered with a smile, holding out her free paw.
His lip quivered. "I'm not supposed to talk to strangers. Or go anywhere with them. Mom said that I could get kidnapped."
Angel visibly shuddered at the word. It took all her willpower not to spiral into a whirlwind of the horrible memories. Instead, she bent down into a crouch and looked the kit directly in the eye. "What's your name?"
"D-David. But everybody calls me
Day."
She smiled. "Day. That's a beautiful name. It can bring a smile to people's faces, yeah? My name's Angel, and I know exactly how you're feeling right now." Holding out her paw again, she blinked slowly. "Trust me, I can help you find your parents."
Very slowly, Day took Angel's paw and together they stood up. "Wipe those tears. You'll be back with your family in no time." She brushed her fingers across his cheeks, casting aside the tears. Thoughtfully, she added, "What do they look like?"
Day bit his lip. "
Mom has wavy blonde hair and brown fur, and
dad has fiery fur. It's red and really fluffy. And he wears black glasses!"
Angel nodded. Even with whatever descriptions the child could give, it would be a nightmare trying to find them in this city. They walked for maybe an hour or so, Day giving as much information as he could. They both kept a watchful eye out, scanning the streets and shops for any sign of his parents. It was no use. Any longer and they'd have to contact the police. "We're never gonna find them, are we?" Day asked. They stood on a bridge looking out over the water, people bustling back and forth behind them.
"Of course we will, it just may take a little longer then we thought. But I'm not leaving your side until we do, okay?" Angel ruffled his hair, and he gave a small smile.
They stood in silence for a few more minutes before a frantic voice called from behind. "Day!! Day, is that you?"
Both of them whirled around and through the crowd, Angel spotted a bright red and orange kalon with thick glasses pushing his way past a group of people. A blonde kalon with a beyond worried look on her face was right beside him. She'd been the one who had called. "Mom?" Day said, almost to himself. "Mom! Dad!" Without waiting another second, he sprinted towards his parents and the three united in a family reunion in the middle of the bridge.
After a long hug, the woman pulled away and stared at Angel with a hard yet nervous glare. "Who is this?"
Day beamed up at his mother. "This is Angel! She was helping me look for you."
The father released Day from his grip and padded over to Angel, who was twiddling her drumsticks between her paws. Did they think she had kidnapped him? She would never do such a thing, but his parents didn't know that. Once the father reached her, he stared her hard in the face. After a few long and excruciating moments, he released a sigh and held out a paw for shaking. Angel gripped it with awe. "Thank you," he said sincerely.
"Of course, sir!" Angel replied with awe. "I just wanted to help, I swear. He told me he got lost and I-"
"I believe you because I trust his judgement," the man said, smiling back at his son. "He has a good sense of discernment, and if he says you had good intentions, that's good enough for me."
Angel couldn't help but grin. "I'm just glad he's back safe and sound." She glanced over the father's shoulder toward the mother, and gave her a polite nod. Glancing at her husband, she smiled and nodded back, unable to keep the thankfulness from her face.
It wasn't long after that when the family took their leave. As Angel watched them walk off with their child, tears brimmed in her eyes. If only there had been someone to help her when she had been in a similar situation. If only she could have gotten back to her family, safe and sound. But there was just no way, and she couldn't even remember what her parents looked like anymore, and they probably wouldn't recognize her either. A tear squeezed out of the corner of her eye, and with one last glance, she turned away and started the long walk back to her shared apartment. She would find them one day. No matter what it took, she would find them.
