It had been after dinner that I felt something strange pooling in the depths of my stomach. I wanted to go outside so badly. I don't know why I felt like it, but I did anyways. I went through my window and got onto a tree branch strong enough to hold my weight. I then re-situated myself on the branch to climb down. After nearly snapping three branches I was finally on the ground. I walked carefully out into the woods and didn't stop. Animals were going to their homes to sleep and nocturnal creatures were coming out.

After several long minutes of walking, I heard loud rustling, like there was something big or possibly someone. I whistled like a bird and waited. It was only six seconds later that I got a replay; the thing whistled the same way.

"Come on out..." I said calmly and a tone less from normal talking. A child that looked about the age of five stepped out from behind a tree trunk. It was hard to tell what gender they were because of how dark it was. "Can you come closer?" I carefully and slowly got on my knees and held my hand out. The child stepped forward, and I could see better. "Now, that wasn't so hard... are you alright?" The child nodded.

"Can you talk?" Shake. "Aw... I would enjoy a good conversation with you though," I paused. "Are you... lost, somehow?" Pause. Shrug. "Okay, well... I can't really tell, so I'm going to ask what gender you are. Hold one finger up for girl, two for boy." Two.

"Would you like to come with me?" He nodded. I smiled and he grabbed my hand, and we walked back to my house. I walked through the front door intending to alarm everyone else in the house.

"Who's downstairs?!" My mom yelled out. She came running down the steps with dad behind her holding a shotgun, until mom stopped and saw me, then the little boy. "Jesus, Chelsea! You scared me- who's this young one?" She smiled and dad hid the gun behind his back to hand it over to one of my sisters. Moka (that's my eldest sister's nickname) took it and went back up the steps. The little boy snuggled into my leg and clutched my pajama pants. I stroked his pale opal hair gently to help him feel more comfortable. His bright, star-like eyes nervously looked over at my family. Moka was behind my sisters now.

"This is my family. Family, meet..." I got on my knees and faced him, holding his hands. "Do you know your name?" I asked softly. He shook his head hesitantly. "Alright, so, should I give you a name?" Nod. "How about..." I tapped my chin.

"Maxxie?" Shake.

"Zeke?" Violent shake, with a dash of smile. I smiled back.

"What about... Marleigh(mar•lei)? Marr for short?" He thought about it. Nod. Smile.

I grinned and stood back up to face my family. Marr took a long step behind my legs and peeked out.

"Family, meet Marleigh. Can we please keep him?" I gave my best puppy dog eyes. If you ever saw them, you'd fall into them like a trap. Then Marr saw me and copied what I did but he was cuter. I was exploding with glee and happiness at his cuteness on the inside. My sisters and mom awed. My dad sighed; that was his way of awing.

"Sure." said my dad. I smiled hugely and gently hugged Marr to my leg. He was so tiny, so fragile. I was going to go out shopping tomorrow to buy him something.

Isn't it a Friday?

After all of the ruckus I caused with Marr, I made his stinky butt take a bath. We went into my bathroom and I got the tub flowing with some bath bubbles I had tucked away in the back of my sink. I helped him remove most of his clothes and turned around to let him remove his underwear and hop in.

"You in all the way?" I asked. He tapped my back once. Yes. I turned back around and got shampoo for his hair. I let him play with a pirate ducky I had against the shower wall on the tub. He smiled up at me, and I could tell he was going to be the death of me - in a good way.

***

A/N: YAY NEW UPDATE! FIRST OF 2015!! And a new face! Yes!

Sorry for the tiny chapter but this is still the intro to the story!

Sorry for the long wait but I've been mentally busy and somewhat physically busy lately. I found out some lovely news about myself of which I do care of sharing so I'm not going to, but I will say it's going to be a tough 3 years and nine months dealing with it. I know it won't be acceptable and all.

But, from what I said last chapter, I have figured out my sexuality. I'm a Demiromantic.

Demi: care nothing for a person but their personality.

Romantic: asexual; non-sexual. I feel out of a score of 0-10, .0000005/10 or 0/10 sexual attraction towards other human beings/other people. It's not a medical condition; it's a legit sexuality. Because it literally means no sexual feeling. Yeah, I find hot guys hot, but I don't get a lady-boner. Only a specific type of flattery does (shut up, besides, it isn't towards the person). And don't go saying "but feeling asexual doesn't mean you are asexual!" when it kinda actually does. Dur. XD well, buh bye!!!