Love, Light and Blood (Owari No Seraph)

Chapter 2: The Hyakuya Orphanage

As my consciousness slowly faded, I could see someone barge in and hit Heiki in the head with something. I could feel myself being pushed up and air came in through my mouth again. It felt like I was drowning.

I opened my eyes and a middle-aged woman with black hair was untying the noose. She finally removed the rope and she held me in her arms. I cried into her shoulder.

I woke up about an hour later and the woman was standing above me looking down at me. I gasped and crawled away.

"It's okay. It's okay." She said softly. "I heard a scream from my apartment next door and I had to check it out. Even though people told me not to. I'm glad I didn't listen."

"Thank you. Miss."

"Is this bear yours?" She asked holding out a teddy bear to me. I took it from her cautiously and hugged it.

"That's a pretty necklace."

"My...sister gave it to me."

"How old are you?"

"7." I answered.

"Oh..." She reached under the bed and pulled out a duffel bag it was plump and made a sound when she put it on the bed indicating that it was filled with clothes. "Look. I packed a bag with some of your stuff in it. I'm guessing it's yours cause I filled it with stuff from that drawer."

"It's mine."

"Ok, great. You're gonna come with me, ok? She stood up and picked up the bag, she held out her hand for me to take. I took her hand and she pulled me up.

"Am I staying with you?"

"I'm sorry. But I can't. I won't be able to take care of you." She pat me on the head and smiled. "But, I do know a great place for you to stay. I know they'll take good care of you. You'll also make a lot of friends."

"They'll hate me."

"No they won't. I promise."

"Really?"

"Really."

She took me outside and the Sun was beginning to rise from the horizon. She put the bag in the passenger seat and me in the back as she started the car.

As the car drove through the empty streets the Sun shined brighter. I breathed in deeply to calm my nerves because I was afraid of who I would meet in the place I was going? Would they be mean? Nice?

The lady stopped the car and turned to look at me. "We're here." She said regrettably.

I looked out the window and we were in front of a building. It wasn't big but it wasn't small either. It was hard to describe as well. "Where are we?"

"Well, it's where you're going to stay. I'm sorry."

"I'll miss you, lady."

A small laugh escaped her thin throat. "Call me Maria."

"Ok. Big sister Maria!" I smiled widely as I hopped out of the car. I gripped my bear and Maria took the bag from the car. I gripped her hand as we walked inside.

I sat in a chair and the duffel bag was on the floor in front of me. This place felt a little strange.

"Hello. What's your name?" An old man stood in front of me with a wrinkled smile.

"S-Siri." I stuttered.

"There's no need to be nervous. You'll be just fine here at the Hyakuya Orphanage."