I'm NOT A Baby Anymore

Chapter 16: Oh You

Pink carefully pried the over enthusiastic child's arms from her waist and gently shoved her back to give herself some space.
"I'm so happy you're here Pink!" Spinel squealed bouncing in place happily, completely unfazed by Pink's slight shove as White smiled fondly at them.

Pink shot her mom a irritated look before Spinel grabbed her arm tightly, and started dragging her towards the back of the orphanage, where the garden was. Spinel loved to play with Pink in the garden.

"Pink! Pink! Pink! Pink! We should, we should, play a game!!!" The six year old proclaimed brightly, her eyes sparkling wide as she bounced around Pink excitedly. Pink sighed heavily, before relenting to her enthusiasm. Pink always came here to play with the orphans, though mainly Spinel who always seemed so attached to her, for whatever reason, while her mom went inside to talk with the orphanage owner.

"Okay Spinel what game should we play?" Pink asked once they finally reached the beautiful garden, and the child grinned devilishly as she tugged Pink closer and grinned slapping her hand against Pink's arm.
"Tag you're it!" She giggled happily before sprinting across the yard, giggling merrily as she went. Pink rolled her eyes before she took off after the unsurprisingly fast girl.

Eventually Pink caught her and tagged her back, before sprinting off herself, but Spinel always seemed to catch her quicker than Pink ever caught her.

The back and forth went on for awhile before Pink collapsed against the grass, breathless and completely exhausted. It was too early and she was too tired to continue, especially after the emotional whirlwind she went through the previous night.

"What game should we play now Pink? Huh? Huh?" Spinel rolled around in the grass, bouncing and spinning around the worn teen.

"Let's nap!" Pink muttered unenthusiastic as her eyes slipped closed, letting the sunshine warm her tired body.
"What??? Boo! No way! That's no fun, let's play hide and seek, or, or have a tea party, or or or I can show you my new trick!" Spinel proclaimed wildly as she tugged at Pink's shirt and poked her cheek. Pink peeked at Spinel opening one eye, to watch the bright doe eyed, red headed little girl as she pouted dramatically and blinked those bright brown eyes at Pink sadly.

"Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhh fine, fine show me your trick." Pink relented tiredly as she sat up sleepily. She figured if Spinel was showing her a trick then she wouldn't have to move or participate too much anyways.

"Yay! Yay!" Spinel giggled excitedly before grabbing Pink's arm and started tugging her towards the backdoor of the orphanage.

"Wait why are we going inside?" Pink demanded curiously, making Spinel giggle once more as she swung their joined hands and skipped towards the door.
"I gotta...I gotta get stuff inside first!" She explained through her squeals and giggles, Pink shook her head fondly at her antics.

Though as she followed Spinel inside she couldn't help the off feeling that overtook her when she realized there wasn't really any other kids around. Spinel cautiously opened the back door and tugged Pink towards the winding spiral staircase.

But except for Spinel's occasional giggles and light footsteps, everything was quiet. Almost too quiet.

"Spinny, where is everyone?" Pink questioned softly as they reached the top of the stairs and began trekking towards the end of the hallway.

"Um...dunno... Valerie is still here though!" Spinel whispered as she pushed open her and Valerie's bedroom door open, startling the eight year old into dropping her book with a slight squeak.

Pink smiled sweetly at the familar child, wincing slightly when she saw the dark scar that marred her poor face. Pink still blames herself for Valerie falling out the window and hitting the sidewalk. The poor girl had enough trauma, coming from the family she had.