Writing Practice

26

"Where did you go Hau nani...?"

I grew up in the orphanage, they always gave us terrible food and their lessons were hard, at least thats what the older ones said that was how it was before Hau nani.

Hau nani was the cyro archon, when she took rule she started caring for the unfortunate and poor. Which included us.

She'd explain the lessons to us, and made the best food. She was such a kind soul.

I remember the day she started selling the recipe book as a fundraiser. She would let us write cute little messages on all the pages.

That was the most fun thing ever!

But then... the archon war happened. It was lots of death and destruction.

I remember the older ones making weapons to defend themselves and us. And it was like a mini archon war inside the orphanage.

The older ones were paranoid the war would come over to us, especially since we hadn't seen Hau Nani come since the war started.

We all worried, the older ones often lying and trying to keep us younger ones calmer.

Some tried to protect us. Others got greedy for safe spaces in the orphanage and the older were often fighting. Sometimes younger bystanders were killed.

It was burtal inside and out, and then it ended.

Hau nani was pronounced most likely dead, since they never found her.

I was 10 by time this happened, and some

of the olders got out as soon as they could.

It was back to the hard lessons and terrible food. The teachers were strict and harsh, often hitting kids who got things wrong with the ruler they often held.

Learning became more scary than anything...

And the new cyro archon could care even less, helping an organization called the fauti

I thought nothing of it, until a teacher pulled me over and said I was getting adopted.

I was excited, happy to finally be out of this place.

A guy wearing a grey mask over his eyes took me to a certain place.

And put me in a room.

I was confused, and tried to walk out. But it was locked...

I started crying and screaming as I tried to get out but the guy just smiled.

I later learned I was picked as a test subject, for the fauti.

The tests were painful and usually almost fatal, it was a gift from the gods that I survived them.

They just continued though, I wanted out. I was almost 18 and wounded from all the tests over the years.

The lock was a combination lock that could also be unlocked from the inside. I didn't know the numbers but I had seen the fauti do it enough times that I could know how.

I went up to it, trying not to pay attention to the many pains that ached my body.

I pressed the numbers, there, there, there and there.

The door was finally unlocked and I opened it.

I then just RAN, not paying attention to the yells of the fauti trying to get me.

I felt the cold snow under my feet and the snow that fell on me, but kept running into the forest to try and lose the fauti.

I eventually lost them and ran into a little hut. I wondered who it might be but I saw a brown haired fox person.

She looked at me and my condition, "Miss theres someone at the door, they look weak..."

The door opened, and it was a blue hair-

Hau nani!?

Sure she had some burn scars and dressed like an old lady, but I could recognize those eyes of care anywhere.

"Hau nani!?" I exclaimed

She looked at me and clearly recognized me as one of the orphans, "Oh you poor thing! What happened to you?"

I just hugged her knees, since I was on my knees and too weak to get up as I just cried in happiness.

"Would you like to come inside?" She asked in her caring voice

I nodded, "Please.."

The fox lady picked me up like as if I was a bride, and walked me inside.

I was put on the couch and handed a cup of something brown and warm.

I heistantly took a sip and it was hot chocolate. I took more sips.

"Would you like me to make the soup?" She asked

I knew what she was referring to, at the orphanage it was called "THE soup" because it was our favorite dish that she made.

I nodded, that soup is something I haven't tasted in years.

She smiled at me kindly, "Emily will be with you ok?"

I nodded, letting emily sit next to be as she wrapped me in a blanket.

She looked at me with sorrow, "I feel terrible for you, do you have any family?"

I nodded no, "Im an orphan..."

She held my hand, "You can stay here until your recovered, or even longer. Hau nani wouldn't mind having a helper again"

I laughed as I tried not to cry remembering how me and some of the other youngers would help her with the ingredients. It was our favorite thing to do.

I smiled sadly as I just sipped my hot chocolate, "Thank you..."

"Your welcome" Emily smiled kindly