The Labyrinth of Fate

Chapter Seven: "Past"

Four years ago, in a serene town nestled at the foot of a hill, nature thrived, and the townsfolk lived in harmony. Near the hill, there was an orphanage, an extension of a welcoming church, brimming with cheerful children. Among them, there was a solitary child who rarely spoke. His voice was a mere whisper in the chorus of laughter that filled the orphanage.

As children played outside, the enigmatic boy sat alone in his room, his gaze fixed on the vast, open sky. The persistent thought that dominated his mind was the desire to leave this place and live in solitude. However, for a child of his age, such a life was an impossible dream.

"Rick," a melodious voice called out, breaking the silence. "Why don't you go outside and play with the other children?"

"No, sister, I don't want to," Rick replied softly.

"You shouldn't live in solitude. You should go outside and play with your friends," Sister suggested, filled with concern.

"I don't want to play," Rick whispered. Gazing out the window, he added, "I want to live in solitude. I dislike being in a crowd."

Sister approached Rick and gently patted his head. She spoke with care, "Humans are meant to live in society, Rick. We must form bonds with others and experience life with kind people."

Rick's voice quivered as he replied, "I wish it were that easy, sister. But I can't bear to lose someone again. The screams of that night still haunt me like a never-ending nightmare."

Sister drew closer and embraced Rick, consoling him with her soothing words. "Everyone goes through difficult times in their lives. Everyone has stories that haunt them. But we must move forward and live our lives to the fullest. Don't live a life of solitude, Rick. Step out of your comfort zone, and you'll find people who are kind and caring. You'll discover a place you can truly call home."

A year passed, and Rick gradually opened up, forming friendships with the other children. He began to find happiness, and Sister cherished the sight of his joyful face.

One day, Rick returned to his room after playing with his friends, only to find Sister engaged in a conversation with two men dressed in black suits. He tried to eavesdrop but couldn't make out their words. He sensed that something was amiss, but he didn't press the matter further.

That evening, during dinner, he observed Sister, usually calm and composed, appearing stressed. Rick couldn't dismiss the growing worry.

The following day, he couldn't ignore his concern any longer. In the afternoon, he knocked on Sister's room, where she was knitting a sweater.

"May I come in, Sister?" Rick asked with a hesitant voice.

Sister set down her knitting as she replied, "Of course, come in. Do you have something on your mind, Rick?" Her voice still carried traces of stress.

Seating himself next to Sister, Rick inquired, "Are you all right, Sister?"

Sister responded, avoiding eye contact, "Yes, I'm fine. Why do you ask? With all of you here, what could go wrong?"

Rick rose and examined the room. He picked up a broken piece of glass from the floor and continued, "You've been looking stressed lately, and your room is quite different from how it used to be. You're not as organized as before, and I think something has happened."

Sister managed a smile, though her eyes remained distant as she replied, "Oh my, you've grown so much that you can notice these things." Looking out the window, she added, "You needn't worry so much. Everything is fine; I'm just not feeling well."

Rick headed for the door and mumbled, "If you say so." As he left the room, he whispered, "Take care, Sister."

Their conversation concluded, but Rick's worries remained. Unbeknownst to him, an impending event loomed on the horizon, one that would shatter his world and turn it upside down.

The next day, Rick fell ill with a high fever, rendering him weak and bedridden. The doctors assured a swift recovery within a day or two, but Sister's stress persisted. The following evening, as Rick slept, Sister left to purchase medicine.

On her way back, a tragedy unfolded. While crossing the road, Sister was struck by a truck driven by a drunkard. The incident claimed not only Sister's life but also the lives of some of the orphanage children and Rick's friends.

News of the incident reached the children playing outside the orphanage, plunging the entire place into a deafening silence. Upon hearing the news, Rick struggled to leave his bed, intent on reaching the accident site. He collapsed on his way, but Tia, who was like a sister to him, intervened. She restrained him and implored him to return to bed.

"Let me go, Tia," Rick cried out, his voice echoing through the empty corridor.

Tia clung to him, tears streaming down her cheeks, as she begged, "You mustn't go there. Your heart will shatter. Your health is already fragile, and seeing it will only worsen your condition."

Rick ceased his struggle, tears welling in his eyes as he observed the scene from a distance. The road was filled with police and medics, gently removing the lifeless bodies. Tia, the only remaining family he had, stood beside him.

The following day, the deceased were taken to the orphanage for a funeral. The orphanage, once vibrant with laughter, now resonated with sobbing and grief. What made the nightmare even more heart-wrenching for Rick was that it was his birthday.

The day came to a somber close, and Rick spent a week scarcely sleeping or eating. Nightmares plagued his sleep, causing him to wake up in fear. Tia, a year younger than Rick, was his sole companion during those days, along with the other orphanage children. The orphanage was now being run by the locals.

A week after the tragic incident, government officials arrived at the orphanage with an order to demolish it. They presented the locals with a directive from the mayor, instructing them to evacuate.

"What is the meaning of this?" a local inquired. "Where will these children go?"

Handing them the document, an official spoke with sadness, "I'm truly sorry, but this order comes directly from the mayor. There's nothing we can do."

"Why such a sudden decision?" another local asked.

The official's face displayed sorrow as he whispered, "We sent notices, but Sister resisted. We didn't want to force her, and neither did our superiors. However, everything changed with her passing."

The locals were left stunned, burdened with an unexpected responsibility. Some tried to reach the mayor, but their efforts were in vain.

In a matter of days, the orphanage was reduced to rubble. The once lively place was now nothing more than a heap of debris. Some children found shelter with the locals, but Rick, who had refused to live with a family, was taken in by a kind middle-aged couple.

One night, Rick attempted to flee from the home of his new guardians but was caught before he could escape. They subsequently converted a storage room into a living space for him, hoping to create a comfortable environment. Rick lived there, keeping his interactions with the family to a minimum. Tia, who had also been taken in by the same family, was the bridge connecting Rick to the outside world.

One day, the adoptive parents fell ill, and Tia took on the responsibility of caring for them. While Rick offered some assistance, the opportunity to escape presented itself when they all fell asleep. With a heavy heart, Rick began to pack his belongings, his mind filled with uncertainty about the choices he was making and the consequences they would bring. As he prepared to leave the house silently, a voice stopped him in his tracks.