The Healers led Addie through the stone streets, winding in between the massive buildings. The bearded Healer kept hand tightly grasped around Addie's small frail one. Addie looked, wide eyed at the people and things around her. The building were so tall, it seemed like they went up forever, reaching the heavens and beyond. Ladies wore beautiful silk dresses of every color, and their hair were all tied up neatly. Not a speck of dirt stained their clothing or their perfect porcelain skin. Addie felt so incredibly small and out of place in this strange new world. She tugged at the rough fabric of her brown tunic, trying to smooth out the wrinkles. The stone roads hurt her bare feet as she stumbled behind the healers. What was going to happen to her?

At last, they reached a house. Addie stared, shocked, at a pristine white mansion, standing proudly behind a tall black gate. One of the Healers pulled a scarlet rope that hung near the gate, and the loud sound of a bell made Addie jump in surprise. The sound reverberated in her ears for a few seconds before a man clad in a black suit arrived at the gate. Upon seeing the Healers, he hurried to unlock it, welcoming the guests in. When he saw Addie, he gave a warm smile. His blue eyes shone brightly.

"Ah, you must be the girl with the unexplainable joy," he said, looked down at her kindly. "I have heard a lot about you, miss."

Addie stared up at him curiously. "How do you know 'bout me?"

"Everyone this house has heard about you. Some call you the miracle girl. Tell me, what's the secret to your happiness so we may all be like you."

"I don't know what you mean." Addie replied, confused.

"What makes you happy?"

Addie paused. "Why wouldn't I be happy?"

The man was silent. He turned to the Healers and they exchanged a look. Addie's eyes darted back and forth between the men, awaiting a reply to her question. The man thought he had asked an easy, simple question, but the reply he had received was quite unexpected to him. Was this girl unaware of the impoverished state of her life? Or did she just somehow not care?

"Well, then," the man continued, clapping his hands together and ignoring the girl's question. "Come on inside. You must have had a long, tiresome journey. My name is Samson, by the way. And what might your name be?"

"Addie."

"That's a nice name. Now come along. We'd best get you cleaned up before you meet the master of the house."

Then turning to the Healers, the man smiled benevolently. "May I take her from here?"

The bearded healer gave a silent nod and released Addie's hand from his grip. Sam gestured for Addie to follow him, and Addie acquiesced, following the tall man into the great white mansion. The minute she walked through the grand doors, she almost lost her balance at the sight of it. A brilliant crystal chandelier dangled above her head, glittering like the stars in the sky. A winding staircase spiraled upward to the second floor. Grand looking furniture lined with gold were set out neatly and in line. Huge tapestries hung from the walls, depicting unsmiling people in rich attire. The floor was so clean, Addie could almost see her reflection on it. A smile unconsciously began to creep onto her face as she indulged her surroundings. Samson noticed that the young girl had stopped walking and he turned to look down at her.

"Isn't it splendid?" he asked.

"Yes," Addie replied, breathless.

Samson glanced behind Addie, and his face turned slightly dour. Addie, seeing the man's expression change, turned to see what the problem was. Her heart nearly stopped when she saw her own dirty footprints tainting the pristine floor.

"Oh, I'm sorry," she apologized sheepishly.

"It's no problem," Samson replied, brushing the apology off like it was a speck of dirt on his suit. He turned to the left and let out a sharp, quick whistle. Immediately, a maid in a black uniform came running in. Samson simply nodded his head toward the mess on the floor, and the maid knew exactly what to do. Samson then turned back to Addie. He didn't say anything for a moment, as if he was contemplating whether to let her keep tracking dirt around the house or carry the girl to her room and risk getting his suit dirty. He eventually chose the latter, easily picking the tiny girl up in his arms and carrying her up the spiral staircase. He eventually reached a set of large white doors with golden handles. With one hand, he opened the door and walked in. A large canopy bed with pink sheets was the first thing Addie saw. Little by little, she took in everything, from the grand closet to the open window.

"This will be your room for as long as you're with us," Samson explained.

"How long will I be here?" Addie asked.

Samson just shrugged. "For as long as they keep you."

Addie was confused by this answer, but didn't say more. Samson took her into the bathroom and set her down gently in the large tub. Addie just stared at him silently, waiting for something to happen.

"I'll send a maid in to help you," he told her simply, before leaving her alone in the large room. Addie stared at the appliances, afraid to touch anything. What was she even standing in? It was certainly nothing like anything she'd seen before. In fact, everything in the entire house was unfamiliar to her. Finally, a maid, different from the one who had to clean the floor, walked in. She was a young looking girl with brown hair and piercing green eyes. When she saw the little girl standing completely still in the tub, she smiled kindly.

"Hello, you must be Addie," the girl said. Her voice was gentle and soft, making Addie feel a little more comfortable. "My name is Lucia."

"Nice to meet you," Addie answered.

"Now, let's get you cleaned up before the dinner tonight."

"How are you goin' to do that?"

"With water and soap of course."

"But where's the water? And what's soap?"

Lucia laughed. "I'll show you."

The dark haired girl reached out and twisted one of the silver handles. Immediately, water started flowing out, and slowly began to fill the white basin. Addie grinned, marveling at the sight.

"Is it magic?"

"It's a little more complicated than that."

As gently as she could, Lucia worked to clean the dirt and grime off of the little girl. Addie giggled as the sponge and the soap tickled her skin. Lucia couldn't help but grin as well. She had never seen a girl so amazed by something as simple as taking a bath.

"Where did you come from?" Lucia asked while washing Addie's dark brown hair with lavender scented shampoo. "Is it near here?"

"The village of Dyan," Addie replied. "But it ain't nothing like the houses here."

"You must have a very long journey then."

"Not really. The Healer people just took me here. Hardly took a second to get from my home to this place. I didn't even get to say goodbye to my brother."

"You have a brother?"

"Yah, Mark."

"That's sad that you didn't get to say goodbye."

"Will the Healers bring him here too? Along with Mama and Papa?"

Lucia sighed. "I don't know, dear. Perhaps."

After about an hour, Lucia sat back, finally satisfied with her work. She had always been a very meticulous girl and she would not stop until the job was complete. Lucia turned off the water after rinsing all the soap off and began to drain the tub. She gently lifted Addie out and dried her off with a towel. Addie clutched onto the soft material of the towel tightly with her little hands. Lucia giggled when Addie refused to let go of the towel.

"Alright, hold onto that for now. I'll find you a dress to wear."

"What's wrong with my dress?"

"It's...not suitable for here."

"Oh, okay."

After a few minutes, Lucia returned with a royal blue gown with a golden belt. The sleeves were long and lined with golden thread. Addie's eyes lit up when she saw what the dark haired maid was carrying. She reached out and ran her fingers over the soft fabric of the gown.

"For me?"

"Yes, this is what you'll wear tonight."

Lucia helped Addie into the dress and helped to tie up the ribbon in the back. She then sat Addie down in front of a mirror in order to fix her hair. Lucia combed through the tangles in Addie's dark brown hair as gently as she could. It took some time, but Lucia managed to transform the mess of brown locks into an elegant updo fit for a princess. She took a step back to admire her work.

"You look absolutely lovely, Addie."

"Lovely?"

"You look nice. You're pretty."

"Thank you," Addie said quietly. She stared at herself in the mirror to see a little girl in a blue dress staring back at her. The girl's hazel eyes stared at her, amazement written all over her features.

"Ya know, this is my first time seein' myself."

"What do you mean?"

"There ain't any glass that shows you how you look where I lived."

"Oh, I never considered that."

"Mama, Papa, and Mark should see me now."

"I'm sure they'd be very proud."

Addie turned to look at Lucia, her hazel eyes meeting Lucia's green ones.

"When can I see them?"

Lucia sighed and helped Addie off the seat. She took the small girl's hand in her own and began to lead her out of the room.

"I told you," Lucia said. "I don't know. But don't worry about that anymore. Are you hungry? Dinner will be ready soon."

Addie tilted her head. She had always been told not to complain about being hungry. "Is there food for me?"

"Yes, I'll take you there."

As Addie let Lucia lead her toward to the dining room, the little girl's heartbeat seemed to quicken. She couldn't explain the sudden rush of emotions, but it felt so overwhelming. She clung to Lucia's hand tightly, anxiously anticipating what was to come. Lucia stopped in front of two grand wooden doors and glanced down at Addie.

"You're about to meet the master of the house and his family," Lucia explained softly. "Just...make sure to use good manners."

Addie nodded silently. Lucia opened the doors, and Addie was greeted by a massive table covered end to end with food. Seated at the head of the table was a man in a fine suit. An older lady sat to his right, dressed in an elegant red gown. And girl, a few years older than Addie sat to the man's left. She wore a lavender dress and the girl's platinum blond hair was styled in an updo similar to Addie. She seemed very unhappy to be there. An empty chair was left beside her. Other men and ladies dressed in fine attire were seated at the table, most likely guests. They all turned to look at the small girl entering. Addie glanced at Lucia nervously. The maid nodded to her, but remained in the doorway. Addie took a deep breath and slowly approached the table.