She sniffled, brashly wiping her nose and tears away. Her callused left hand laid on a box she brought with her, and as she sniffled again, a strand of her wavy brown hair fell from behind her ear. The young sweet girl closed her warm green eyes for a moment, trying to regain her breath. Her blunt nose sniffed, she stopped sniffling, and fisted her left hand on the box.

Willhelmina, or Mina for short, was the name of the 8-year-old girl in rags, hiding behind a rodhendron bush, was the owner of these treasured 'worldly goods' in a box sitting next to her, and was one who doesn't speak unnecessarily. Naturally, Mina appears cold to strangers, despite her bright green eyes, her chubby freckled cheeks and wavy brown hair that was cut right at the jawline, and the smile she often does, when no one is there.

A bird cawed above her, startling the orphaned kid, and then she realized that morning has passed. Mina took a breath and readied herself for whatever life and fate has prepared for her.

"What? N-no, it's not like that! The kid suddenly just disappeared! Oi! Oi! Don't hang u-" and the line disconnected. The man banged the public telephone down, sighing in frustration.

Mina watched in fascination from the bench she was sitting on, the bench that was fixed on the pavement ground, her eyes spotting people, their expressions, sometimes a glimpse of their conversation either on the phone, to friends or other people, and sometimes to themselves. The last one much amused the little girl, reason unknown.

A nearby clock tower chimed twelve in the noon. Almost instantly, more people appeared from the entrance of the little neighbouring town from Mina's hometown. The restaurants around her became more lively as each one attracts their own customers, whether it be groups, individuals, or pairs. Everyone seemed happy that it was lunch time, which also meant that it was time to fill their rumbling stomachs, and also the time to be discussing between certain people about things.

Lunch passed by quickly, and by the time it ended, the girl had already hopped off the bench and was walking around, looking for stores that sells cheap food. She didn't have much money, because it was almost impossible to save money, as she had to look after herself, and when your life necessities cost a lot, you can't help but pay for them.

The 8 year old continued walking down the line of shops, cafes, and boutiques, unaware of where she was heading to while she counted her life savings. It was then she bumped into a large fat man with a bald head, but their was black hair brushed at the sides in a business suit, who was sweating badly under the heat of the sun. Mina staggered back and bowed down with a "Sorry mister."

Straightening up, she walked away from him when her shoulder was grabbed. Mina yelped and looked at the guy, who was looking at her with his faint blue eyes.

"U-um?"

The man said, "Are you Willhelmina Fostchester?"

"Y-yes," she replied.

"Do you have money in your wallet?" the man questioned. In reply, the girl frowned, her first thought being, 'Oh no, not this kind of people.'

Her expression might've been obvious to read, for the large man took out his wallet and gave her a pile of money, counting up to a thousand bucks. He handed it to her and when she refused, he said, "Come along, my child, and buy some pastries from those shops."

"A-ah? Why?"

"Well, take this and buy something to eat. It looks like you have been fasting for half a week, Willhelmina."

"Mina," she corrected him. Then she asked, "But how did you know my name? And why must I buy something to eat? How would you know if I was trustworthy?"

Someone who had appeared behing the business man some moments answered, "Because Mr Grod is the owner of these shops, and also your foster father."

"Yes," Mr Grod smiled and nodded at what seemed to be his secretary, "so take my money and hurry along, my child."

The girl blinked, put two and two together, and then said, "Why did you adopt me?"

"Mina, just please buy something to eat. The journey home is very long, believe me you."

"O-okay, dad -wait, is it okay to call you dad, Mr Grod? Or shall I-"

"I would prefer the former."

"Alright. Just answer this question, dad, and I'll run along."

"Fine then."

"Why did you adopt me?"

There was a silence for two seconds before the man behind smiled and replied, "Why not? Now let's go and buy some pastries."

The end! Is it confusing? Answer this and tell me your opinion in the reviews, alright? And I think I broke the seriousness in the last dialogue. :S