Numbered

Chapter 15: Maxi Dayne

Ever since they found out their heritage (alongside their younger sister's heritage), Maxi had been even more determined to figure out who their parents were.

It caused them severe anxiety when one of the caretakers walked in that day. And all 3 of them ended up getting in trouble for being where they weren't supposed to.

Maxi felt really bad for that. They were the one who roped their sisters into this mess, only they should be getting punished, not their sisters.

In fact, they just finally managed to get their punishment over and it was exhausting. All three of them were made to scrub the walls and floors spotless and couldn't speak to each other for 3 days following their little adventure.

Maxi felt bad leaving Raven all alone by herself but they had to go to school and Lenora was waiting for Maxi outside of the Orphanage. Maxi was a 2nd year and a 2 so they would go to the 2nd year subdivision of the 2 section meanwhile, Lenora would go to the 6th year subdivision of the 1 section.

'I'm sorry Raven. I promise I'll make sure to come back to the Orphanage as soon as possible once I get off.' Maxi wrote down on their notepad before showing said notepad to their little sister.

Raven huffed, crossing her arms. "I know. It just sucks. I'm the only one who isn't old enough to go to school and both of you are going to leave me here. And before you say anything it's hard to make friends with the other kids."

'I know... just... try... for me and Lenora.' Maxi wrote down.

She stomped her feet before going to stand in the corner. "Fine. I'll try I guess." She pouted.

Maxi thanked her by giving her a hug before leaving and walking with Lenora to their shared school.

Lenora bid Maxi farewell when she saw her friend Josie (Who was in the same classes as her) farther along in the entrance hall and Maxi hurried to the 2 section.

School seemed to drag on forever but eventually it did end (much to Maxi's relief). Maxi sat down on the outside steps, waiting for Lenora to show up so they could walk back to the Orphanage together. But she didn't show.

After 30 minutes, Maxi had to admit that they were starting to get slightly anxious. Lenora had never been late before.

Maxi finally felt their communicater vibrate in their side pocket so they grabbed it and pushed the button to turn it on. An image of Lenora floated up from the little circle device. *I'm going to be late, I have something I need to do. You can head back to the Orphanage now. Sorry for worrying you. Make sure to tell Raven that I'm alright, goodbye and love you both.*

The image then fizzled out and returned to the device indicating that it was a recording instead of a live call. Well that was strange. Lenora had never not walked Maxi home, and she never was "busy". There was definitely something sketchy going on here but Maxi just didn't know exactly what it was yet.

And while the recording did soothe some of Maxi's anxiety and worries, it also added a whole lot more onto their plate. First of all, Maxi didn't even know where their adopted elder sister was or whether or not she was in danger. They also didn't know when she'd come back to the Orphanage.

They sighed shoving the communicater back into their pocket. 'Well, it wasn't like they could do anything about it now. It's best I get home soon so Raven is less mad at me then she already is. Oh no, she's gonna be so mad at me for stalling.'

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And they were right. Raven was rather pissed; and rightfully so.

"Where were you?! And where's Lenora?! You promised me you'd be home as soon as possible!!! Why'd you lie!!! I was worried about you!!!" The 7 year old said stomping her feet in a dramatic display of how upset she was.

"I'm... Sorry. I... Was waiting... For Lenora. I... Very worried. She... Says busy." Maxi rasped and struggled to find the words due to rarely speaking.

Raven froze in her mini temper-tantrum. Her older sibling seldom talked due to it being rough for them and hard to find the words. Add that with the fact that their voice hadn't been used in so long that whenever they did talk, it came out as a rasp and hurt to do so, so whenever Maxi did decide to speak instead of use their notepad she knew it was serious.

"Where's Lenora?" She asked slowly.

This time they took out their notepad. 'She said she was busy but never specified what exactly nor did she tell me where she was going or when she'd come back'.

"So what do we do for now?"

'I guess we have no other choice then to wait. So that's what we'll do. We'll wait.'

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"Maxi. Where are you going." It was around midnight.

"Out. Find... Lenora."

"Then I'm coming with you." Raven tried to say before getting a bone chilling stare from Maxi.

One that seemed to say 'No, you won't. You'll be staying right there. And don't make me have to use the older sibling card.'

Raven looked down and sat back down on her bed knowing that this was a non-negotiable matter. "Okay. Just, come back safe and with Lenora." She mumbled under her breath.

Maxi put a hand on their little sister's shoulder to comfort her and get the message across. 'Will do.'

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Right as Maxi exited their shared room they heard a noise and went to go hide behind a rather large houseplant. They peered over it to see Lenora but something about her was different. Instead of wearing white like she always did, she was wearing orange which stumped them. Normally orange was only used for those under the age of 4. So then why was she wearing it? Unless... Could their big sister be apart of a secret organization and not told them?

She was definitely hiding things, that much had been revealed, now all Maxi had to do was get to the bottom of it all.

1051 words.