Glistening Embers

Prologue:

A long black limousine pulled smoothly up to the orphanage. Cars were rare after the great floods, but a few, further inland, had survived. A couple got out of the car. The man carried a young girl, perhaps four or five sun cycles. The women carried a bundle wrapped in a blanket-a baby.
     "I wish we didn't have to." The women whispered.
     "I know," The man replied. They walked solemnly up the steps to the orphanage. They stood by the door for a while. The man awoke his daughter and put her on the ground.
     "Glisteen, Glisteen, listen," The man said.
     "I want to sleep, Daddy." The daughter, Glisteen, complained.
     "I know, I know. But you have to listen. Okay?" Glisteen nodded. "Mommy and I have to go away."
     "No! Daddy! What did I do wrong!? Don't leave me!" Glisteen started bawling. The man hugged his daughter until her tears stalled. "Mommy and I have to go." He said firmly. "You have to take care of your sister, okay?"
     "Why do you have to leave?" Glisteen asked, sniffling.
     "Take Yilasia. Take care of her." The man said, tearing up. The woman handed the bundle to Glisteen, also tearing up.
     "Never give up, Glisteen, and when you're ready, ring the doorbell." The woman said. "I love you with all my heart."
     Glisteen nodded. "Love you, too."
     The man hugged his daughter and started whispering, "I'm sorry, Glisteen. We're sorry. So, so sorry." The man's tears started to fall.
     "B-bye, Daddy. I love you."
     The man turned around to hide his own tears. "I love you, too."
     Sobbing, the man and woman got into the car, and drove away, leaving their only two children to face the world. Their only regret was that they couldn't raise them, couldn't protect them, from a world they knew was all too evil.