Crystal Tears
an excerpt

It was a cold, grey, snowy day in Thess, maybe 13 years ago. The streets were almost empty, for it was late and getting very cold. Anika was one of the few people out, but unlike the others, who were running back to their houses, Anika was taking her time, strolling along the street. You see, Anika was part of one of the major thief gangs in Talin, and she was scrounging around for money, food, blankets, clothing, or anything of value. It was vital to her gang that someone go out at least once a day to see if they could find anything that they could use, especially in winter. Anika wandered around, brushing her short brown hair out of hazel eyes. Suddenly she stopped. She thought she heard a noise. There it was again; coming from the bridge. It sounded like a child crying, but it couldn’t be. No parent would let their child out in this cold and this late. But, it couldn’t hurt to go look. Oh, damn, Anika thought as she struggled through the suddenly increased blizzard, 26 is too young to die. She made it to the bridge, and squinted around. It was difficult to see anything, the snow was so strong. The wind was picking up, too, throwing little specks of ice into Anika’s face. There! Something moving under the bridge. “I’m coming!” she called, hoping that, if it was a child, that it would hear her and listen. “Don’t worry; I’m coming to save you,” she called again. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and surged forward. Almost there, she encouraged herself. It occurred to her that it might be a little odd to be risking her life for some kid, but she brushed that thought aside. It was just a kid, another thought popped up. Why go to all this trouble? Shut up, brain, Anika thought. It was too late to go back anyway, now that she was under the bridge. She peered around, looking for the child she had heard. There, over in the corner, huddled against the wind and snow, a child, maybe two years old. “Hey!” she said as she walked over. “Are you ok?” Anika patted the youngsters head. It looked up. It was a girl with long black hair, that was messed up and covered with snow. She had icy blue eyes, with long lashes, and a delicate face, with a small nose. Her face was scratched and dirty, as were her hands. She stared into Anika’s eyes solemnly. “Where’s my momma?” she asked quietly. Anika sighed. “I don’t know, but do you want to come with me?” The girl looked hesitant. “Wha about Faylee?” she asked, pointing to another shape under the bridge. “She is lost too.” She looked imploringly at Anika. “Fine. What’s your name? I’m Anika,” she asked. “I’m Netaina,” the girl said.