The gift

  Erica opened her eyes to the same crisp, white snow outside her window that she had seen so many times before. The same view she'd seen everyday since she got put into this death trap they call a hospital. The cancer had spread to her lungs and she was barley able to breathe. Her eyes light brown, once full of happiness were now nothing but dark and sad.

  Skin white as the snow outside. Her once long dark brown hair was now nothing more than a single strand because of the constant treatments.  December 23rd, 2111 was the date plastered on the anti-gravity mega screen in her hospital room. The same day exactly 7 years ago she became and orphan when her parents were killed in a car crash. 8 then, she was going to live with her grandmother but her grandmother refused to take her in so

  Erica was forced to live in foster care.
She gently reached over and lifted a picture of her and her parents on Christmas day exactly one year before the crash.  "Don't worry guys. I'll be with you soon." She stared at the picture for a long time taking in every detail of her parent's appearance.  Her eyes from her mother, her once beautiful hair from her father. "Why can't I be with you already?" Tears streamed down her cheeks. "Take me away already! I just want to go home!"

  Just as she said those words, a bright glowing ball of fire appeared in front of her. She stared at the fire watching it move, almost dancing as it did. She reached out to touch it when a hand, small and soft reached out and took Erica's hand. The hand was also on fire yet it didn't burn her. Then out of the fire stepped a young girl about Erica's age and height. Big blue eyes and soft brown hair. Erica, scared by the sudden appearance, let go of the girls hand and hid under the sheets.

  " Please don't hurt me" she said, fear in her voice. The girl gently sat on the bed and uncovered Erica from the sheets. "I'm not here to hurt you Erica." Her voice was soft and soothing. It reminded her of her mothers. When Erica finally opened her eyes she saw that the fire was gone and they were the only 2 in the room. With the fire gone it was easier to see what the girl really was. "Your, you're an angel. A fire angel!" The girl smiled.

  She had a beautiful white dress with huge glistening white wings." My name is Amber. I heard your request and have come to take you home." Erica stared at her for a moment, soaking in what she just heard. "Take me home?" Amber nodded. "Wait how do you know my name? How did you hear me? How did you get here?" Amber placed a hand on Erica's knee. "All questions will be answered on the way."

  Amber stood up and reached for Erica's hand. "Come now, there are some people waiting to see you when we get home." Erica stepped out of her bed and placed her bare feet on the floor wearing her white hospital gown. She slowly grabbed Amber's hand and took one more look outside the window. Same snow, same room. Amber waved her hand and the same fire from earlier appeared. She had read about fire angels in books and how they come to people in need to take them home. But exactly where was home? "Hold on tight Erica." She squeezed her hand once and then disappeared into the fire. Erica followed. All Erica saw was a flash of light then stars. On the way Amber explained that she was appointed to be her guardian angel by her parents and how there were going to planet Scorpio.

  A planet located in the constellation. After the 1 day journey they arrived on the planet. They sky was purple and the ground was jade green. "It's beautiful." Erica looked at Amber. Comparing her pale skin and single strand of hair to the beautiful tan skin and full head of hair Amber had.  "Amber I kind of feel out of place. I mean this place is amazing but I'm just…" she was interrupted by Amber placing a hand on her shoulder. "Watch." Erica felt something start to movie inside her. "Wha- what's happening?" At that moment her skin turned medium beige. Her single strand of hair turned into a full thick head of beautiful dark brown hair. Her gown became a knee length blue dress.

  Her sad eyes bloomed with a beautiful hazel color. Once the moving inside her stopped, she looked into a pool of water she had seen when she landed. Looking at her reflection she almost didn't recognize the girl that was once her.
"Amber, but how did you?"  Amber held up her hand." The planet makes you new. It wasn't my doing." Erica took a deep breath. Her lungs feeling light as air. "Amber thank you so much! But I have one more question. You said that there was someone here to see me. Who were you talking about?" Amber smiled and waved her hand and turned. Standing behind her were Erica's parents.

  With tears in her eyes, she ran and hugged them. "Jaden and Sapphire I've returned your daughter as promised." 7 years and she was finally back with her parents where she belonged. Erica opened her eyes to the same crisp, white snow outside her window that she had seen so many times before. December 25th 2111 was the date on her clock in her new bedroom. With a deep breath she smiled and said the words she had wanted to for what felt like centuries.  "I'm home."