Hi! My name is Felicia Cambridge. I am 12 years old. Actually, I lost my parents since I was seven years old. My dad died of a crashed building during his work. While my mom was shot by a man wearing a beanie while she was counting money from a machine. I can't remember what that machine's called. It's the type where you get money from. You give your card to the machine, and the machine will eat it up, and then, it pops out money. Yea, whatever that's called.

Now, I'm all alone and all I have with me is my pet dog Sterling. He is a Golden retriever. The first time I had him was when it was my tenth birthday. Some lady whom was a friend of my mom told me that Sterling is a birthday gift from mom but since that day, she wasn't able to give Sterling personally and directly. But, I'm already happy that mommy thought of giving me something like Sterling.

I really love Sterling.

Everytime I'm sad, Sterling comes to me. Everytime I'm angry, Sterling comes and comforts me. When I cry, Sterling comes and makes me feel happy. Also, he obeys all of my commands. Even if his food is already there in front of him, he won't eat unless I told him to. He also doesn't do the common little things he should do if I don't tell him to do so. He likes following me everywhere as well. Where ever I go, I know that he's just there with me.

Now, I live at the Laketown St. Paul's orphanage. It's a place where most kids that doesn't have parents stay. There are ladies with black and white clothes that covers them from head to toe except their faces. They're called nuns. But they prefer us kids to call them as sisters.

But...they're not really nice. When I just sat at a place that isn't my chair, they get mad. When I speak or ask a question, they also get mad. When I blink, they get mad at me too. When I can't sleep at night cause of a nightmare, they get mad. They just get mad at me just being myself. Worst part is even when I play with Sterling.

The first day when I was still new, they say he's a beast. That he should stay outside, or at the garbage or even at the farm's barn with the cows, and pigs, and horses, and ducks.

But I love Sterling. I just go to him in secret. And he's just so happy to see me. One night, I was sleeping with the other kids. One boy with glasses talked to me.

"Do you like it here?" he asked.

I answered, "Not at all. They won't let me play with my dog."

"You have a dog?" he asked.

"Yes, his name is Sterling and he's a jolly, friendly, golden dog. The sisters said he would stay at the barn cause he's a beast as they say." I replied.

"I know that dog! Sterling is your dog?" he exclaimed.

"Yes. My mom gave him to me when she was getting money from a machine. Until she got robbed and shot many times." I said.

"I'm sorry that your mom died." He said.

"It's not your fault, it's okay." I said.

He smiled and laughed, and said, "I like Sterling. He's really nice. I sometimes play with him."

"You do?"

"Yes. My name's Matthew. Nice to meet you." He said.

"My name's Felicia. Nice to meet you, too." I replied.

He became my very good friend. We keep visiting Sterling at times when we feel like it. I can see that sterling is very happy to see us play with him.

We love Sterling so very much.

Until...

One time we visited Sterling, we saw him lay on the ground like a dead corpse. We helped him stand up but, as he tried walking towards me, he vomited blood...

Sterling is still a young one. I have no idea what happened to him. Just no clue. He just happen to be like this.

But since Sterling is my friend, and I love him, I won't let him stay this way forever. I don't want him to feel this pain for the rest of his life.

So, together with Matthew and I, we continue to take care of him until he gets better.

We untiringly and unceasingly continue to feed him good food, give him our blankets and bed sheets, placed something warmer for him, we continue to love him because we want him to feel better.

I just have a feeling that all our efforts will make him happy.

But... I also had a hint that all of these will just go to waste. I knew it when I stare longingly to his eyes, I know that he doesn't want me to worry anymore; and that, he's about to say his good bye.

There was a saying that animals just live. They will not have feelings for something or someone the same way a person does. But, I don't believe that.

I believe that animals have feelings and emotions but they just can't express in a way people would understand. They are just like foreigner who say a thousand I love you to someone they love which is from a different race.

And he would even give a token of love from which in their country means you love them, but you just don't get it cause you were expecting a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates, instead you get a three night banquet at the longest dinner table filled with the most delicious food you could ever imagine.

Yet it will stay a one sided love.

The next days, we stayed with Sterling. After a little moment, a little moment, a little moment, a little nun came to us. As I noticed the nun, I shook Matthew back and forth to wake him up and we will run back to our beds and go to sleep or just go to our rooms and clean the hallways.

"Ssh...you'll wake them up." She said gently.

We paused for a while in shock.

"Is it alright if I take a look at him? He looks a bit pale today..." she asked.

"What are you going to do to him?" Matthew asked.

"Are you taking him away from me?" I asked

"It's alright... I'll just have to check something..." she said, holding a stethoscope.

"Why? What's that for?" Matthew asked in fear and doubt.

I clinged to Sterling and said, "Please, he's all I have don't take from me..Please.."

"It's alright...I understand how you feel. When I was your age, I had a pet cat named Wendy. She was a beautiful exotic cat that my grandmother gave me. Until, my grandmother died of lung cancer and cerebral palsy. Wendy was just a cat, but I could see my grandmother in her. Them, she too died. I just know how you feel, so it's alright. I became a veterinarian too; and I met someone who'll love me for who I am. And that lovely man died too. I joined the convent and became a Franciscan nun. In this convent; in this orphanage too, I am known as the Dr. Valerie Porzingeeze OP" she said.

"You're a doctor before?" Matthew asked

"Indeed, I am" she replied with a smile

"Felicia, it's okay! She wants to help Sterling!" Matthew exclaimed.

I slowly moved away from Sterling and let her do her thing.

"Is he going to be okay, Sister Valerie?" I asked.

She left out a disappointing sigh and said, "I'm afraid not....It seems that his heart is beating a bit slow. I'm sorry but there's nothing I could do about this."

I jumped at the nun's arms unknowingly and cried on her shoulders upon hearing that this has befallen upon my beloved Sterling.

It just truly is very agonizing. My whole world crumbled into pieces like a mirror that shattered into uncountable broken pieces of glass shards.

I planned on spending more time with Sterling than I could ever have done.

I just wanted to see him smile and just be the happy Sterling that he always is. Even though he can't be that way right now because of how he's feeling right now, but I know that deep inside him when I look into his eyes, he is fighting his strongest and most of intense fight that he has ever have. I know that he just wants to stay here forever. I will take good care of him anyways; I will love him anyways because he's my Sterling, he's my only true friend that has been there for me when I need him...

...I'll really miss him...

I don't want him to ever leave my side... but I guess, he will be happy up there I heaven where mom and dad is....many say it's a really great place. I believe strongly about that as well. I really wanted to go to that place and see mom and dad there and just really, never leave that place

I was about to get some food for Sterling, so, I took his empty and dry dish plate and went to the kitchen.

As I was going to the kitchen, I bumped at Matthew, and he fell on the floor. So I helped him up.

He accompanied me to the kitchen.

I observed that he's a bit blue today. I'm pretty sure it's about Sterling. Even though he's only known Sterling for only a short time, he probably loved him that much already. It's a bit sad for him too. To love someone that much when you have known each other only for a little time and now, he's gonna leave you alone forever and he won't come back...ever..

We reached the kitchen and managed to get some broccoli and beef steak. Believe me or not, those are left over from Mellinton's meal. She doesn't want broccoli on her plate because she thinks it's disgusting. Even though there was a big piece of beef steak, she thinks that the broccoli ruined everything. So she threw it away and we just happen to take it instead.

As we were about to return to sterling, there was a group of mysterious kids. I said mysterious because I feel different upon just walking pass them, and I haven't seen them before and the mother superior hasn't made any announcement about them being here. It's not like her to give an announcement late. Before we notice anything, she would always early with giving them to us before we even move a muscle. She's a psychic nun I must say. But really, they are very mysterious indeed.

"Hey, have you heard of the magical Dream Box?" one of them said.

"No! What is that?"

"It's really nice! You should try it out!"

At first, I thought that it was some kind of book they were in to or some make-up kit.

" It's a magical box that makes your dream, wishes and desires come true..." a familiar voice says....

I looked around to see who said that, and so did the mysterious kids. But, there was no one around but me, me, and..... Matthew...

"It's me... I said that..." Matthew claimed

"Matthew?" I muttered out of confusion

Then the mysterious kids ran away and their screams just echoed through the hallways.

I just tried ignoring what happened just then and we continued to Sterling's shelter without saying a word.

Then, we returned to Sterling's place and gave him his beef steak and broccoli. And he really liked it.

And a question just slipped from my mouth...

"Matthew, what is the Magical Dream Box?"

He stared blankly at the ground after I asked him.

I pat his back and repeat my question but he answered...

"Like those kids say, The Dream Box really is very wonderful. The Dream Box only comes to those worthy of it....the ones of pure heart."

"What does it even do? What's so special with it?" I asked.

"It's the special jewelry box that grants your wishes. But your wish will come true for only few days. And you only get one wish to come true." He replied.

"Then how do I get my wish to come true? Where is this Dream Box? How do I even get this Dream Box? Why do you even know this Dream Box existed?"

"I have a lot of things to explain to you. The Dream Box can be obtained if you know your wish is pure and not about self-enjoyment. To call the guardian of the Dream Box, you first gather your most valued treasures which are jewelry. Then the Guardian will reveal herself to you." He said.

"Why do you know all about the Dream Box? Tell me the truth! You are scaring!" I exclaimed.

"I am different from any of the other kids you have just seen. I am sent to you as the Guardian has told me. Now make your wish..." Matthew said with another voice synchronized with his.

I took the golden amulet that my father gave me at the night before he died.

Suddenly, the amulet glowed and shined like the sunrise.

Matthew somehow changed into something...

Matthew turned into the Guardian of the Dream Box.

I gasped in shock and said, "Matthew...you're the guardian of the dream box after all?"

"I am Morticia. The Guardian of Dream Box. Matthew, the boy whom you have said is only an illusion to see who you really are and to test if you are truly the one mortal whom the Dream Box chose. "

So, it was her voice. She was the voice that was with Matthew just now as he revealed himself.

"Matthew said that you sent him to me...."

"That is true what he said. But he is only an illusion. I have only sent an illusion to you to guide you to the Dream Box because this is your destiny. For you are one of the chosen ones."

"So that means....you did this to Sterling just so you could make that stupid box happy? You're a monster!" I cried out.

"That is not how it is child. Your beloved Sterling has indeed befallen into this state. But this is not what the Dream Box has desired. The Dream Box only wished to help you for whom you became the Chosen one because The Dream Box has seen your pure heart and as Matthew has said, the Dream Box only chooses people whose wishes are pure. You happen to be one of them."

"Then why is Sterling like this?"

"That I do not know...but I only wish to help you and your Sterling. So I am giving you a chance to have a wish. And I know what your pure heart says."

"Alright then...if making me have my wish come true will make you pleased, then....I wish for Sterling and I to be happy and live with mom and dad in a peaceful paradise forever!"

She bowed down her head and nodded.

And she said with an echoing voice, "Your wish is granted..."

A beautiful light went across the room.

Then the room was overcome by the bright light.

After that, so many things flew across the room.

It was as if I was transported to a place of bright beautiful light

Then a watch, a nautillus, seaweeds, octopuses, pocket watches, and many beautiful gems flew pass me aggressively.

I was flying swifter than a swallow or an owl in the winter

I soar up high through the clouds

And taste the vapor of the atmosphere. Such a wonderful feeling it really is.

But a mollusk's shell hit me directly at the head. I think it's another nautillus. I can't really tell anymore.

Then I stopped my flying and started falling at a broken point. I was like a comet as I fall from the sky after a mollusk shell hit me.

Then gently I lay and landed on soft cotton grass.

I fell asleep.

I have no idea how long I slept on that cotton soft grass.

But I woke up.

I woke from a certain presence of a creature.

I felt it come nearer and sniffed my hair.

I woke up.

I sat up to see that creature.

I saw a creature of thick Golden locks. It seems as if I have recognized this being...

"...S-Sterling?" I stammered and said in wonder.

The creature barked and panted and jumped at me and started licking my face.

So it is. The creature was Sterling, my golden dog.

Then I hear people calling my name.

I glanced to the direction of where I have heard it from.

I saw a man and a woman with jolly smiles on their faces.

I feel like as if I have known them for a very long time.

I stood up.

"....Mom...Dad....?.."

The woman ran to me and welcomed me with a welcoming embrace.

The man did so too after.

Tears flowed out of my eyes.

"Mom! Dad! It's you! I've missed you so much!"

A soft and tenderly voice of a woman says, "So have I, my dear. I have loved you so, my dear child."

And a caring voice of a man followed, "Now, we're here in paradise. We can finally live together as a family once again."

And Sterling gave off a loud and joyful bark.

And I have reunited with my family.

My wish was fulfilled.