Taking large strides, it wasn't long till Yuvan passed the post office from yesterday. Upon reaching Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers, he was greeted by a posh-looking woman. She wore a sapphire linen dress with a purple cloak. On her head was a large hat, layered with intricate patterns adorned with gold. A large feather, plucked from a peacock, sat on the rim.
"Good afternoon officer! How may I assist you? The name's Charlotte." - the woman exclaimed with a smile.
"Afternoon Charlotte. I am here in hopes of adopting a child or two to help the orphanage out since it is in debt and all." - Yuvan proclaimed.
Not long after, two girls were heard sprinting down the corridors, charging at Yuvan, barely dodging his body. One had long brown hair whereas the other had short brown hair that reached the shoulders.
"Sorry, sir!" - one of the girls exclaimed and immediately pleaded on the ground for forgiveness.
"Girls, wait in the other room. I'll speak with you both after I'm done." - Charlotte scolded, displaying an unimpressed expression. The two girls hurriedly escorted themselves away, out of sight.
"Who were they?" - Yuvan questioned calmly as he removed his hat to fix his hair.
"My little troublemakers named Luna and Velorra. Please... ignore them and continue our conversation. I'll make sure they are punished for leaving their dorms." - Charlotte replied in an annoyed tone.
"Alright again, I'm here to adopt. Any will do thanks." - Yuvan stated. He switched his attention to the portraits on the walls.
One of the portraits in a fragile, wooden frame was labelled:
'Thomas Fletcher - Founder of Maine Children's Home For Little Wanderers' engraved on platinum.
Above the label displayed a headshot painting of a figure in black and white. They seemed to be in their 20s and had a small 'w' shaped moustache.
"Well, your choices are limited. Only Luna and Velorra could be taken. They are the only kids here." - Charlotte explained. "If they do not get adopted soon then they will just end up on the streets once the orphanage gets taken down. I can't adopt them since I barely have enough to keep myself alive."
Yuvan could see how devastated the woman
felt.
"I understand. Are the girls related and how old are they?" - Yuvan continued. In the corner of his eye, he catches one of the girls with scarlet-coloured eyes staring at him but flees before he could comment.
"They are related. Velorra is 13 and Luna is 9." - answered Charlotte. "The reason they are the only ones left in the orphanage is that they both have red eyes. People believe that they are witches."
"...I see." - Yuvan responded quietly but was slightly audible to Charlotte.
Taking a moment to consider his decision, Yuvan agrees to adopt Velorra and Luna.
...
After signing some documents, Charlotte sighs with visible relief.
"If anyone asks you to tell them who came here and adopted the kids, do not sell me out. Velorra is 13 and she will be targeted in the massacre if you haven't heard the news already. For the sake of my safety and theirs, please...keep us out of the business." - Yuvan pleaded.
"That's horrible news! I will do anything to protect the girls as I have been looking after them for 6 years. I will dearly miss their little faces. I'll get Luna and Velorra now. They will be with you in a moment". - Charlotte affirmed and exited the reception room, with a slight hint of sadness showing through her resolve.
Yuvan notices a saffron-coloured couch that had a few dusty pillows which sat on the edges. Moving the pillows aside, he slouched comfortably with his feet up.
Taking a glance at the monotonous mantle clock, he notices that it was motionless. Concluding that it will take a while for the girls to pack, he decides to take a nap.
A few minutes pass...
"Hey, sleepy head! Wake up!" - exclaimed Luna with a giggle which made Yuvan jump from the couch, accidentally pushing her away.
"I'm awake, I'm awake! Didn't mean to push you so hard." - Yuvan apologised and patted Luna on the head. "Hey, where's Velorra?"
Yuvan looked around the reception room in hopes of spotting Velorra and perhaps Charlotte too.
"Probably hiding from you in our pillow fortress! I'll go get her."- Luna replied snarkily, sprinting away.
Not long after, Luna and Velorra enter the reception room to join Yuvan.
"Let me carry your things." - Yuvan insisted, extending his hand to take the possessions.
"Thank you sir." - Velorra replied, giving him her and Luna's belongings.
"No problem, call me father from now on." - said Yuvan. "Charlotte I'll be leaving down alright? Good day!"
Charlotte rushed into the room, panting and bent over with her hands on her knees.
"Sorry-good...day to you...too."
Yuvan eyed her closely. Seeing the girls pulling onto his coat, trying to drag him out of the orphanage, he tipped his hat and left with a grin.
Exiting the orphanage with the girls, Yuvan decided to return home: he felt content and pleased with himself.
END OF CHAPTER 3 - Fulfilling a Dream
NEXT CHAPTER 4 - Building Another Fort
YOU ARE READING
Alive in the Snow
Mystery / ThrillerSummary: The narrative started in a city. An officer adopted two girls knowing the orphanage would be demolished to make way for more factories or structures. All children aged 10 to 13 are to be "erased," under an order made by the corrupt administ...
