DEADLY DECEPTION

CHAPTER 1

Avery's POV

I woke up to the sound of children laughing and playing outside my window. It was a familiar sound that I had grown accustomed to over the years. Stretching my arms and rubbing my eyes, I savoured the softness of my pillow and the warmth of the blanket. I sat up yawning, feeling the cool air on my face and looked around my small room. It was sparsely furnished with just a bed, a dresser, and a desk. I decorated the walls with pictures and posters that I had collected over the years.

Making my way to the window, I gazed out at the world outside. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a warm orange glow across the sky. The sweet melodies of chirping birds filled the air, creating a symphony of nature's awakening. A smile graced my lips as I absorbed the sense of peace that washed over me. With renewed energy, I made my way to the dresser.

Looking at my reflection in the mirror, a smile met my eyes. I saw my reflection with long brown hair and big, captivating brown eyes staring back at me. A mischievous scar above my left eyebrow added character to my face. After a refreshing shower, I meticulously brushed my hair and slipped into my favourite jeans and a comfortable T-shirt.

As I walked out of my room, I was greeted by the familiar faces of the caretakers and children in the orphanage. All the children rushed towards me, hugging me, and asking me about my plans for the day. I was loved by all the children in the orphanage. I had a way of making people feel comfortable around me, and I was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Thus, I had a way of making them feel loved and cared for, just like Maria had done for me.

Maria was the one who ran the orphanage, and she had raised me since I was just a year old. She also dedicated her life to taking care of the children in the orphanage. I didn't know much about my parents, except for the fact that they died on a sailing trip and their boat capsized during a storm.

Growing up, I was a bright, friendly child who loved making new friends. Despite living in an environment that was not conducive to my growth, I developed a cheerful personality that radiated warmth and positivity.

As I grew older, I realized that the world was a much larger and more complex place than the confines of the orphanage. I yearned to explore the world, to see new places and meet new people. I longed for a family of my own, someone to call my own and to share my joys and sorrows with. However, with no prospects of adoption in sight, I had begun to resign myself to the fact that I would spend the rest of my life in the orphanage.

Maria had always been like a mother to me, the one constant in my life, providing me with all the love and guidance I needed. She had always been there for me, guiding me, teaching me, and most importantly, loving me unconditionally. Her love was enough to make me feel whole.

I was grateful for all that Maria had done for me, from the warm meals she cooked for me to the clothes she had sewn for me. All in all, the orphanage turned out to be like a home for me, with children of all ages and backgrounds, and several caring adults to look after us. There were always other children to play with and caretakers to talk to, but my bond with Maria was special.

As I walked into the kitchen, I saw Maria cooking breakfast for the children. I walked over and gave her a hug.

"Good morning, Maria. You're up early today," I said, smiling.

Maria smiled back at me.

"Good morning, my dear. I wanted to make sure that everyone gets a good breakfast today," she said, patting my head.

I helped Maria set the table and served breakfast to the children. The smell of pancakes and bacon wafted through the air, making my mouth water. We all sat down at the long wooden table, chatting and laughing. Maria was the life of the party, telling jokes and making everyone laugh.