Orphanages

I encountered a young girl named Mayene. At first, her offer seemed suspicious, but I found myself with no other options; starvation loomed over me. I decided to trust this girl, albeit hesitantly.

We walked through a dimly lit alley, the clock having struck midnight. The glow from the homes around us didn't come from electricity, but rather from flickering candles and oil lamps, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of the Middle Ages.

As we walked, I followed Mayene until we reached a dead end—a wooden wall blocking our path.

"Have you lost your way?" I asked, puzzled.

"No, we're already here," she replied, confidently approaching the wall.

I stood back, watching to see what she would do next.

When Mayene touched the center of the wooden wall, a click echoed through the air, and a small passageway appeared, just wide enough for us to squeeze through.

She flashed me a smile, her expression saying, "You didn’t see that coming, did you?"

She gestured for me to follow her.

Curiosity piqued, I complied.

Stepping through the passage, I found myself in an old chapel, which surprisingly emanated a warm light. It seemed that a few people lived here, and as we stepped inside, a sense of comfort washed over me.

We arrived at the chapel's door, and Mayene gently pushed it open, the hinges creaking in protest.

Inside were two boys and two girls gathered around a table.

A red-haired boy, about my height, perked up at our arrival, clearly Mayene's brother.

“Oh, it’s my sister!” he exclaimed, rushing toward us.

As he approached, his eyes fell on me, and his expression shifted from joy to confusion.

“Sister, who’s this guy? He smells terrible!” he declared, pinching his nose with a grimace. “Please tell me you didn’t bring home a beggar!” His tone was rife with sarcasm.

It stung to hear that word again. While I didn’t consider myself a beggar, my appearance surely reflected a life lived on the streets.

“Steve, that’s not a nice way to greet someone!” a gentle voice chimed in from behind.

A woman stepped forward, emerging from a nearby room, holding a basket filled with bread and water. Dressed in a nun’s attire, she had gray hair, fair skin, and striking green eyes.

She approached us with a warm smile.

“Looks like you brought us some visitors, Mayene,” the nun said.

“Yes, Sister Elizabeth,” Mayene responded with a nod.

Sister Elizabeth scrutinized me for a moment, her smile widening.

“What’s your name, young man?” she asked.

“I’m Fael,” I replied.

“What a lovely name, Fael,” she said warmly. “Now tell me, where are your parents? How did you end up on the streets?” Her concern was palpable.

The truth was, I couldn’t recall anything about this boy’s past, including how he ended up alone. All I had were fragmented memories from my previous life, leading to questions I couldn’t answer. I needed to weave a believable excuse.

Sister Elizabeth waited patiently, tilting her head slightly as she observed me. I noticed the two young girls—twins—who shared the same striking blue hair and clear blue eyes. One seemed shy, while the other radiated a protective aura toward her sister. Meanwhile, the green-haired boy was absorbed in a book, barely acknowledging our presence. Steve continued to eye me with suspicion.

“Actually... I don’t remember anything at all. I just found myself on the street,” I eventually said, forcing a smile. “The more I try to remember, the more it hurts my head,” I added, hoping to defuse the tension.

As silence settled around us, I began to worry if I had said something wrong.

Sister Elizabeth stepped forward, wrapping me in a warm hug.

Steve’s eyes widened in surprise.

Mayene let out a small laugh, while the twins breathed a sigh of relief.

“It’s alright, Fael. You can stay in this chapel while you recover your memories,” Sister Elizabeth said, her voice soothing.

Her embrace was a comforting cocoon. I found myself both grateful and apprehensive. Did she know how dirty I was?

Sister Elizabeth noticed my discomfort and released me from the hug.

“Sorry, Fael. I can’t help being emotional,” she apologized softly.

“It’s alright, Sister. Really,” I assured her.

With a chuckle, she guided me to a room where I could wash up.

Glancing at Steve, I caught an expression that seemed to say, “Lucky guy.”

Ignoring him, I followed Sister Elizabeth.

“This room, Fael, is our bathroom. You can wash up here,” she said, opening the door to reveal a simple space with a bucket of water and a cloth.

I nodded and watched as she placed some clean clothes on a nearby chair.

After a few moments of scrubbing off the grime, I emerged feeling slightly more like a person again, even if it was just a bucket of water and a cloth. It was a stark contrast to the street, but I was still adapting to this era.

“Fael, are you done? I’ve left your clothes at the door,” Sister Elizabeth called out gently from outside.

“I’ll be right out, Sister!” I replied, my voice full of anticipation.

I took a deep breath. I was lucky to have met these people; I hoped nothing bad would happen during my stay with them.

Once dressed in the clean clothes, I ventured back into the room where the others had gathered at the table. The atmosphere was warm, and a small feast awaited us: a plate with a slice of bread and a cup of water.

Sister Elizabeth spotted me and gestured to a vacant seat in the corner.

I nodded gratefully and took my place at the table, catching Steve’s casual gaze once more. Was he still sizing me up?

“Fael, you look much better now,” Sister Elizabeth smiled. “Though it seems you could use a haircut.”

Before I could respond, Mayene interjected, saying we should eat before the food got cold, as we had all been hungry.

Sister Elizabeth nodded in agreement, and we bowed our heads for a brief prayer before feasting on the simple but hearty meal. Between bites, Sister Elizabeth introduced me to her makeshift family.

“Okay, everyone, we have another member now,” Sister Elizabeth smiled at me, encouraging me to introduce myself.

“I’m Fael. Although I can’t say much yet since I haven’t recovered my memories, I truly hope we can all get along,” I announced, trying to project positivity.

Sister Elizabeth smiled brightly.

She turned her gaze to Steve. “This is Steve. He can be a bit difficult, but deep down, he’s a good boy,” she explained with a hint of mischief in her tone.

“Thanks, Sister,” Steve replied, rolling his eyes.

Jade, the boy with green hair, continued reading, not really engaging with the conversation. Sister Elizabeth noticed my gaze and pointed him out.

“That’s Jade. He adores reading and doesn’t talk much,” she said, sighing softly. “I hope you can befriend him, Fael. I worry about him because he hardly ever goes outside.”

Meanwhile, the twins were enjoying their meal peacefully at the table.

“On your left are the twins,” Sister Elizabeth continued. “They look identical, but you can tell them apart by their personalities. The one over there is the shy girl, while the other is more spirited.”

“I’m not that shy! I’m just... cautious,” Lizzy, the quieter one, interjected.

“That’s Lizzy, our shy one,” Sister Elizabeth said with a chuckle. “And the other is Aqua.”

“Hi, Fael! I’m Aqua. It’s great to meet you!” Aqua chimed in, waving her hand excitedly. She had long blue hair and sparkling blue eyes that radiated warmth.

Finally, Sister Elizabeth smiled at me, introducing herself. “I’m Sister Elizabeth. As you can see from my attire, I’m a nun. I hope you feel at home here with us, Fael.”

“I’m truly grateful for your kindness, Sister,” I replied with a sincere smile.

After sharing a meal filled with laughter and stories, Sister Elizabeth led me to my new room. The chapel was surprisingly spacious, with enough rooms to accommodate seven individuals.

Sister opened the door to my room and gestured for me to enter. Inside, I saw a modest bed, a desk, and a small vase adorned with fresh flowers. It was simple but far better than the cold, hard ground of the streets.

“You must be tired. Please rest well,” Sister Elizabeth said gently.

I smiled and thanked her before she left me in the quiet sanctuary of my new room.

Laying on the bed, I pondered the strange turn my life had taken. I thought I had died but somehow ended up as this young boy. As my thoughts wandered, I remembered my grandmother and hoped she was okay. With that comforting thought, I drifted off to sleep, grateful for the unexpected warmth and kindness surrounding me.

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