Secrets Above Us

Chapter 1: A RAINY BEGINNING

on the outskirts, stood solemnly against the elements. Inside, Miss Clara, the caretaker, was going about her evening routine when she heard a distant cry. Opening the creaky front door, she was met with a heart-wrenching sight... two baskets, each sheltering a tiny infant, left on the doorstep, exposed to the pelting rain. Without a moment's hesitation, she scooped up the babies and hurried them inside, away from the storm's fury. The infants, unaware of their circumstances, gazed up with innocent curiosity as they were brought into the warmth of the orphanage. They were now safe, their cries quieted by the shelter and the comforting presence of Miss Clara and the other care takers. Little did they know, their lives were about to be intertwined in ways they couldn't yet imagine, all starting on the fateful, rainy night.

The two infants grew up asACE and VICTOR, the classic duo. As Ace and Victor grew up under Miss Clara'scare at the orphanage, their distinct personalities became more evident.Victor, outgoing and charismatic, excelled in various activities, winning theadmiration of both peers and adults alike. Meanwhile, Ace remained reserved andintrospective, often overshadowed by Victor's natural charm and talents. Despitetheir differences, Ace and Victor shared a special bond. They had a mutualfriend named Lucas, a spirited boy with a contagious laugh and a knack formischief. Lucas trio became the bridge between Ace's quiet world and Victor'svibrant one, bringing them together in unexpected ways. 

As the spent monthsplaying and exploring the orphanage grounds, their friendship blossomed. Lucaswas like the glue that held them close, his buoyant personality bridging thegap between Ace's thoughtful demeanor and Victor's outgoing nature. However,life at the orphanage was unpredictable. One day, news arrived that Lucas wasbeing taken in by a foster family. Although excited for his new adventure,Lucas's departure left Ace and Victor feeling a void. 

Their days suddenlyseemed quieter, the familiar laughter and shared escapades now just memories. ForAce, losing Lucas was particularly hard. He retreated further into his shell,finding solace in quiet corners and books, while Victor, ever resilient, soughtout new challenges to fill the gap left by their friend's absence. Little didthey know, Lucas's departure was just the beginning of a journey that wouldshape their lives in unexpected ways, setting the stage for new friendships andunforeseen adventures yet to come. After Lucas left, Ace and Victor leaned oneach other more than ever. 

They missed their friend and felt his absencedeeply. One day, a mean kid at the orphanage targeted Ace and tore up hisnotebook, which meant a lot to him. Ace was heartbroken and went to his room,crying. When Victor found him, Ace explained what happened. Victor was furious.He stormed over to the bully's area, ready to fight back. Ace followed, worriedabout what might happen next. Victor was determined to make the bully pay forhurting Ace. But Ace, normally quiet and calm, stepped in. He suggested theytry talking to the bully instead of fighting. He wanted to solve the problempeacefully. Victor, however, was too angry to listen. He was set on gettingrevenge. This difference in how they handled the situation highlighted theirfriendship's challenges. Their clash showed how different they were. Ace valuedpeace and understanding, while Victor was quick to react with anger andaggression. Their friendship faced a test, and it wasn't clear how they wouldnavigate the conflict. Victor with his aggression ended up beating up thebully, due to his actions the orphanage kicked victor out because the felt ifthey kept victor in he would turn into a real bad person so they sent him outto the world. As the dark night settled over the orphanage, Ace lay awake,feeling a profound sense of emptiness. 

The departure of Victor, his steadfastcompanion, left a void that echoed through the quiet corridors. In that momentof solitude, Ace realized that without Victor, the orphanage was no longer hisworld—it was their world, built on the unbreakable bond of brotherhood. Therealization struck him with a pang of loneliness. Lucas, their dear friend, hadalready been taken away by a foster family. Now Victor was gone, expelled fromthe only home they had ever known. The sense of abandonment weighed heavily onAce's young shoulders. Unable to bear the haunting silence and the memories ofhappier times with his brothers, Ace made a resolute decision. In the dead ofnight, when the moon hid behind a blanket of clouds, Ace quietly slipped out ofthe orphanage. His heart ached with determination as he set off on a journey tofind Victor, to reunite their fractured trio. With no money, no belongings, andno plan, Ace ventured into the unfamiliar city streets. 

The early morning lightbathed the world in a soft glow as Ace navigated through bustling alleys andquiet corners, his gaze searching desperately for any trace of Victor. As hewalked, Ace noticed something amiss—the weight of his backpack felt different.Opening it, his heart sank. Several of his cherished clothes were missing, andthe little food he had carefully stowed away was nowhere to be found. Someonehad taken advantage of his vulnerable state while he slept. Despite thesetback, Ace pressed on, fueled by determination and a flickering hope in hisheart. He approached strangers, asking if they had seen a boy namedVictor—tall, with a mischievous grin and an irrepressible spirit. But eachinquiry was met with a shake of the head or a disinterested glance. Hoursstretched into days as Ace continued his search, his journey now a quest formore than just Victor—it was a quest for belonging, for a family that was notdefined by blood but by shared experiences and unwavering loyalty. In momentsof exhaustion and doubt, Ace would pause to catch his breath, his eyes glisteningwith unshed tears. 

Yet, with every step forward, he clung to the memories ofLucas's laughter and Victor's fierce protectiveness, drawing strength from thebond they once shared. As the city hummed with life around him, Ace's resolveremained unshaken. For he knew deep in his heart that the road ahead was notjust about finding Victor—it was about reclaiming the sense of home andbelonging that had slipped away in the wake of their separation. And so, withrenewed determination, Ace pressed onward, his spirit unyielding amidst thechallenges that lay ahead. Ace, tired and thirsty fromsearching for Victor, stumbled into a fancy neighborhood. He knocked on a bighouse's door and a nice couple let him in. They gave him water and he sat intheir fancy living room. While resting, Ace noticed a picture on the table. Itwas Lucas, their friend from the orphanage! He couldn't believe it. The couplesaid Lucas was their son now. Ace felt happy knowing Lucas had a good home. Itgave him hope that he might find Victor too. With a grateful heart, Ace leftthe house, ready to keep searching for his friend