Queen of the Random

The setting sun was cold, the fall leaves damp in evening dew as she walked to the smaller shrine off to the side. The statue's face had since eroded, but there was a pull, as if guiding her to it.

The man who had found her offered her a cot in the barn, at least until they found her momma. But she knew the truth. It hurt, but she could still feel it, the warm liquid across her face, the sharp blade lifting high as her momma covered her.

Her daddy crying at her, trying to shake momma awake.

And then the woman, and the bright light that still makes her eyes hurt at the thought.

The ground was mushy as she stood in front of the statue, small candies and shiny rocks scattered at the feet. She stared up, shaking, wanting to reach out and hug the statue, to cry for her parents. For some reason, the statue felt… safe. Warm. She took a step forward, and then another one. One of her hands reached out, barely able to graze the stone boot.

"Please," she whimpered, looking up to the sky, painted with various oranges and purples as the sun set, the full moon slowly rising up behind the stone. "Please I… I want my momma… I want my daddy…"

As more tears streamed down her face, snot bubbling from her nose, the feeling of being warm, being found grew more and more. If she closed her eyes, she could almost feel a hand on her back, like when her uncle was helping her into the crate.

And then the warmth was suddenly gone, leaving her cold and alone on the ground, crying silently. The woman's voice covered both of her ears, the words mostly lost on her.