With each passing minute, she tossed a small pebble into the river underneath the Bridge of Castro, watching the ripples form. Many thoughts ran through her mind and it seemed with each hint of doubt, The Jazz Man picked them up and reassured her that things will be fine.

     “Fine” was the same word that everyone told her. Everything will be fine as long as you stick with us. Everything will be fine if…everything will be fine when…It was the same words over and over, with each and different family. But it still ended up the same.

     Her eyes darted over to the large clock that was on the face of Luyork, a tall monument decorated in diamonds that hovered over the small shops that ran up and down Ubir Avenue. 11:55am, she read the clock. It was one of the only things she knew how to read. Words, however, were a different story. Words appeared to be scribbles and sentences were hell. Although, ironically, she was taught how to read music.

     She smiled, shifting her eyes back over to the river but caught a glimpse of him strolling through the crowd of Humans that walked with their head in their phones. He was wearing a white suite that made him appear to be an angel and with each step, she could feel the power he had. His burning eyes met hers and she pushed away from the stone railing. Lightly her hand tapped The Jazz Man on the shoulder and he turned his head to the left to see Ares walking up to them.

    He smiled, “Good afternoon, Mr. Winter!” he reached his hand out and Ares shook it.

     “Good afternoon to you as well Mr. Lumière and to you Miss.” His eyes glinted over at her and she smiled.

     “Thank you for meeting me. I know what I said back at the theater was unexpected but it was truthful. I do intend to make you the best pianist and for others to hear your song. In exchange, I want her to play in my Orchestra and that is where she will debut.” He explained.

     “Is that all you want from Young music?” The Jazz Man questioned.

     “Yes.” He said and The Jazz Man glanced back at her.

     “Sounds reasonable, doesn’t it child?” he laughed, “Then, I leave you with my child. Please, take good care of her and protect her.”

     “I will! Thank you, sir, and if you ever need anything, please just call me.” Ares smiled before looking at her, “Let’s get going then, Miss. We have several busy days waiting for us.”

She looked up at The Jazz Man.

     [You’re not coming with me?] She raised her eyebrows.

     “No, I am not. Instead, I will contact the woman with truthful eyes and hope that one day, I will see you in your castle.” He grinned.

     [I see…Then, we will meet again! I promise. And I better see you playing Adolph on the TV soon] She smiled, moving away from him and beside Ares.

    “Trust me, child, you will!” He gave a small wave and she mimicked his gestors as she followed Ares off of the Bridge and to a black luxury car that waited in the parking lot of Gino’s Pizzaria.

    He opened the back passenger door for her and hesitantly she slid onto the firm leather seats. She had never been in a car that came with a driver who sat in the seat in front of her, wearing a generous smile and dressed in a fancy suit. Ares opened the door on the other side and slid onto the seat beside her.

     “Where to sir?” the drivers’ old voice questioned, raising his eyes into the rear view mirror.

     “To my mothers,” Ares answered.

     Her ears tuned into the soft old tunes that were playing on the radio as she watched her settings move away from the familiar inner city where she spent all of her time wandering around to the high-speed freeway, where many cars zoomed passed them. It had been a while since she seen all of Helrit, so full of life. And past all the buildings, the few trees and the billboards that screamed were great mountains that she had walked through before. 

    As she stared intently, digesting her new surroundings, she didn't notice Ares watching her expression, trying to read what she was thinking. Was she scared? Curious? Happy? Sad? He couldn’t tell. But it was then when the sun hit her eyes just right that they looked like pieces of emerald that he finally concluded something he noticed about her.

     “So as I assumed,” He voiced and she turned her head to look at him, “You’re a Glass-Eye.”