"...Find me."

A whisper that was brought by the wind. None knew the author as it was unclear, yet, the voice sounded desperate.

It was a gloomy night as there was a storm outside. A childish room painted black as the open window was the only source of light. The tree outside violently shook as its tremors could be heard in the room. On the bed, laid a patched-up teddy. Torn and worn from age and use.

It stood still for a moment, stagnant in its place until it came to life. Its beady little eyes gleamed with life, its body moved like it was rusty for a moment before moving smoothly. Its head scanned around the room, as if searching for something or someone.

Then, it tilted its head.

"Where the hell is that worthless kid at?"

The tone was neither harsh or angry, it was soft and gentle. Before making another move, the teddy felt a presence near its body as it immediately turned its head around. Radiant lights blinded its beady, plastic eyes as it saw a radiant being with magnificent wings with a child-like body.

The being beamed with innocence as it perched on the windowsill. It made the teddy feel pure disgust within it but it doesn't understand why.

"Who are you? I don't remember a being like you near that snotty brat?"

"I, am the kid's most powerful guardian angel! Bow down, for the legendary protector!"

The 'guardian angel' gave their monologue as they wildly swung their hands. The teddy didn't want to hear more as it got up from the sitting position, preparing to jump off the bed to search for the brat.

"Wait—where are you going?"

The 'guardian angel' asked as they saw the teddy's figure moving away. They chased after the teddy, not wanting to be left alone in this scary night.

"Off to find the brat. He is rarely this late to bed."

With that, the teddy jumped off the bed.

Thump!

It made a heavy sound as the teddy's legs looked squished for a moment. Its stuffing uneven before the teddy sorted it out itself. The 'guardian angel' tried to help but was met with refusals.

As they were bickering with each other, they could hear a silent hissing sound behind them. A big shadow loomed over theirs as it overpowered theirs with its big size. Devouring the whole room in one move. They all turned weary, their instincts spelled out danger.

"Huh, you're not that thing."

A gruffy sound could be heard. Ah, it was the monster that terrorized the brat at night.

"And you..."

"I, am the magnificent, legendary guardian angel! Protecting day and night, escaping danger!"

"What a weirdo."

As the conversations died down, the monster's white, glowing eyes moved towards the teddy. It's eyes scanned up and down, scrutinizing every single detail.

"Where are you going? Searching for that thing? Useless. Utterly useless. It's a waste of time. Just quit."

The monster stated, its tone was as if stating the obvious. But, I felt like I don't want to follow his orders. It felt like something in me is swirling in embers—

"Why so, sir? Isn't it productive?"

The 'guardian angel' tilted their head. It's innocent eyes staring at the monster's as if begging for answers. It felt like a new emotion was swirling inside my chest but i decided to focus on the present now.

"Tch."

The monster clicked its tongue out of annoyance. It's tone completely changed. This time, it's much more snappier, more enraged, more—I shouldn't get ahead of myself.

"Why should we waste our time finding some kid just because they slept late this time. They're just playing with it's friend past curfew. Children, am I right? You guys are overreacting."

The monster explained. It managed to persuade teddy as it realized that maybe the kid was just having fun. But not the 'guardian angel'.

"But, even so, shouldn't we go and find him? He must be waiting for others to come and find him. Wouldn't you want to scare him like you used to, Mr. Monster?"

The 'guardian angel' turned their head to teddy.

"Don't give up, Ms. Teddy! Let's go and find him now! It would be sooo fun!"

The 'guardian angel's' tone was joyful and excited. Teddy can't help but soften up to them.

"Yeah, let's go."

"Fine, since you two insist. I'll have to join too because it's not like you two can even open a door."

"Well, I can fly sir!"

"That doesn't count."

It snapped back.

They walked near the door. Teddy and the 'guardian angel' patiently waited as the monster opened it. Countless lights permeated the dark room, finally, a journey awaits them.

Each step they took would leave a creaking sound from the old wooden floorings. The house almost felt empty—which was weird but of course, they had only lived inside the brat's room their whole entire life. There were occasional shouts here and there but nonetheless the house felt more like a library, cold and silent.

"What a boring adventure..."

The 'guardian angel' lamented, putting their hand under their chin as they walked. The monster, not appreciating the 'guardian angel's' comments about the silence that he wanted, snapped back at the former.

"Shut up will ya', this is a moment that needs to be appreciated. At least we wouldn't have to be sweaty like those hogs of a jockey."

They almost got into a fight if it weren't for some heavy footsteps that sounded more like thunderous roars behind them. The team immediately dispersed as they all find their own hiding place. The 'guardian angel' simply just flew high up to the ceiling, the monster blended into the shadows, while I tuck myself into one of the corners in the room. It was a perfect hiding place for someone like me.

Thump!

The sound of footsteps got closer.

Thump!

And closer.

Thump!

Closer.

Thump!

Finally, I could see a well-polished shoes from the corner of my eyes. Incoherent babbles from the figure in an angry tone. The figure seemed more aggressive as time went on. The ramblings kept on going as I could only catch sentences like—useless kid and waste of time. Suddenly, I felt the urge to go and find the kid now. It might be dangerous.

I signed towards the others, trying to sign that we need to go now. Fortunately, or unfortunately. They understood.

I walked while hugging the wall, keeping my body as light as possible as to not make the floor creak. Of course, the others had it easy. For some reason, I felt jealousy. But why? Why do I feel such emotions when they just have different circumstances from me? I lowered my beady eyes as I didn't have the luxury of time now.

Keep moving. Find the kid.

We went into the room where the figure exited. When we're retracing the figure's steps, we met a crying figure. She didn't seem to notice us so we moved on. But, I slowed my movements, scrutinizing her for a moment as I felt familiarity with the figure. The muffled sobs, the hands buried into the face—it felt all too familiar. Ah, the emotions—it was hers.

I joined back with the team.

After many rooms, after many obstacles, we finally met our goal.

The kid.

It was a dimly-lit room. The kid curled up, refusing to open up. But, when we came near him, his eyes lit up.

Even though his eyes were beaten black and blue, even though his cheeks were painted violet, even thought his nose streamed crimson, he looked at us with such innocence unfathomable for such a fragile being. His smile was bright, it almost made me flinch in disgust but I held back. How could I hate this abortion failure?

"...You found me. Someone looked for me... They looked for me.... They... looked for me!"

The eyes of the boy lightened up, as if his earlier dead gaze was a lie, his eyes softened. He opened his arms, reaching for us.

But he couldn't.

"!"

"Ah, right. Daddy was right... Nobody would come to save me... But, they did! So, that must mean someone would search for me! Daddy was wrong!"

The child talked to himself in the dimly-lit room.

"I have friends—see?"

He tilted his head, his voice softened at the last sentence.

With that, a day passed.

⁕ ⁕ ⁕

It was night, the kid stood near the door. In his hands were his belongings: his favorite toy, Ms. Teddy; his guardian angel charm; a rolled-up picture of his imaginary friend, the monster under his bed, Mr. Monster.

"Mommy and daddy is already asleep. I guess this is the perfect time. It's fine, it would be a fun adventure. Right Ms. Teddy?"

Then he raised his voice a pitch higher.

"Yes, you brat!"

A giggle. Now, his heart is calm. His swollen hands touched the cold doorknob.

Clink!

The door opened. Wild breeze hit him. He could see the sky that he once wished to soar into. All of this new sensations made him feel overstimulated but it's fine. His journey begins now. He took a look at his belongings. Kissing on their foreheads as he took his last glance back at his 'house'.

Then, he finally took a step forward.

The caged bird finally left the cage, soaring into the sky it had always wished and hoped.

Fly high little birdy, soar higher than the heavens. Then, an angel would rain you with blessings. A Teddy for filial love. Then, a monster for stories of old.