Rifts

Part 13~The Orphanages

Sitting in the playground, the little boy with silvery pink hair played with his dolls. One was a lady with green hair and a funny hat, and one was a red fur-covered monster.

"Oh, look, it's the freak," the bully jeered, pointing at the boy. "He's playing with those dolls again. Maybe he should go to the girls' side." The boy laughed with his friends as the little one sighed, curling in on himself and pulling his hood up.

"Or better yet, he should go to the monster hut with his monster friends!" The other bully laughed, high-fiving the first one. "Awe, look, he's gonna cry." The bully poked at the child's cheek, his friends crowding around the small boy. "How pathetic! He really is a girl!"

"You got a problem with girls?!"

The bullies became quiet as the tree above them rustled. Jumping down, the small girl landed before them. She was covered in green fur and had long lime hair tied in a high ponytail.

"I'll show you a girl!" She screamed, jumping at the boys as her claws grew out. The bullies screamed, running away without even getting scratched once. Huffing, the girl crossed her arms, her tail flicking in annoyance. "Well, that was disappointing."

"Excuse me... why did you do that?" The small boy stared at the monster as she laughed.

"Well, I wasn't going to sit around as those jerks bullied you. Besides, I was hoping to get a good workout, but I guess not." She huffed, collapsing next to the boy. He didn't know what to do, staring at the monster. "Everything okay, mewman?"

"You have fur."

The monster lifted her hand, glancing at the fur before shrugging. "I suppose so. Most of my friends have fur. Why?"

The boy bit his lip, closing his eyes as fur grew along his arm.

"Oh, cool! You're a monster!"

"I... I don't know what I am." The boy curled up, holding his dolls closer. "My family abandoned me without so much as a word."

The girl blinked, grinning as she scooched closer. "You want to become an O'Cheese?"

"A what?"

"An O'Cheese! That's my last name! Monster O'Cheese! But you can call me Moc."

"Seriously? What kind of person names their kid Monster."

"I don't know. I never met them."

The boy flinched, lowering his head. "S-Sorry."

"Don't be. I don't mind." Moc stood up, yawning as she stretched. "I should head back before the nurse gets mad at me. See you around... What's your name?"

"Solar. Solar Mothin."

"Well, see you around Solar Mothin." Moc jumped back up into her tree as Solar waved her goodbye.

"Bye, Monster O'Cheese."

"That's Moc to you!" Moc grinned, running across town to her orphanage.

"What a weirdo." Picking up his dolls, Solar entered his home.

After that day, they kept meeting up, talking and enjoying each other's company. That is until a faithful day after they turned fifteen.

Running through the town, Solar ducked past the borders. Distant screaming echoed throughout the town, coming from the very people Solar was trying to get away from.

Skidding down the corner, Solar tripped, falling through the door. "Ow..." Pushing himself up, Solar forced a smile on his face as he was surrounded by monsters. "H-Hey..."