Teen Years

Chapter 8: Back At The Orphanage

"Moon Barrier!"

Moon Barrier? But that's...!

A set of white and gold wings surrounded Black Mist, and the Hunter knocked his head against the tough material. Black Mist looked behind him to see the one person he's been waiting for all his teenaged life.

Number 39 Aspiring Emperor Hope.

Papa...

Yes, there he was. Hope smiled at Black Mist, finally able to see his son after all these years.

Black Mist was unable to comprehend this. How could Hope find him again when all these years, he wasn't able to? He was so confused, he had so many questions.

Why didn't you come to me? Where were you all this time? Did you forget about me? What were you doing!?

No answers to any of them. He couldn't form the words to ask the questions he wanted to ask. His voice was caught in his throat.

Hope went up to the Dark Number and pulled him into a hug. "My son, I have found you! Where have you been hiding?"

Even Papa has questions...but I have no answers.

Black Mist suddenly pushed him away, finding the words he wanted to say.

"Where have you been!?" he screamed. "I looked for you, but I never found you!"

Hope was taken aback. "I was looking for you as well. I couldn't find you. I'm sorry."

Black Mist clenched his fists, grinding his teeth. "You didn't look hard enough," he hissed.

He growled, and then he remembered nothing after that.

~.~.~

Black Mist woke up back in his old room. He sat up and sighed.

I'm back here?

He got up and shook his head. He was back at the orphanage, but why? He didn't want to come here until next week.

Black Mist stepped out of the room, and he was surprised by the number of children running around. They seemed to be having so much fun. They didn't notice him until he closed the door.

The kids looked at him for a while, which gave Black Mist a chance to see what they were. A few were Regulars, some Dark Numbers mixed in, and finally, Light Numbers.

Light Numbers were Numbers of pure light, like Hope. They were kind where the Dark Numbers were scornful. They loved to help people, but they were also rival to the Dark Numbers. They hated each other with a passion, yet here were Dark and Light Number children playing together.

The kids suddenly smiled and crowded around him.

"Hi, mister! What's your name?"

"What's your Number?"

"Are you a Dark Number?"

"Ah, I see they found you," Hope said, gently pushing past the eager children. "They are fond of everyone who walks in that door."

Black Mist glared at Hope. "Why am I here?"

"You wanted to come back, no? At least for a visit."

He was right. He had wanted to come back eagerly. Black Mist crossed his arms and huffed.

"Yeah..."

Hope smiled and placed his hand on Black Mist's shoulder. He was wearing gauntlets, which prevented skin-to-skin contact. That would harm both Light and Dark Numbers.

"Well, you're back home."

Secretly, Black Mist smiled. It was good to be home, but he wasn't ready to forgive his foster father for not finding him sooner. He had been waiting for his entire life!

"Papa, I'm gonna look around." Black Mist pushed past them and took a walk around the orphanage, taking in the new halls and new rooms. It seemed as though he had remodeled this place millions of times, which hr probably did.

"Onii-sama?" he called softly, hoping to see Sam again. "Onii-sama?"

No answer. Black Mist pouted slightly and kept looking around, calling out "Onii-sama" every so often. Still, there was no answer.

He opened a door and peeked in. This room was empty except for what looked to be risers. They seemed to be part of the wall entirely.

Black Mist stepped in, wincing a little as his ankle received a little too much weight. He shifted to the other foot and looked around the room.

The room was white with beautiful golden pillars. The risers were porcelain and attached to the wall. There was a white and gold piano in front of them as well as a music stand beside it. This room was most likely a choral room, where the children sang. However, this room looked like it hadn't ever been used. There was no way anyonecame in here!

He looked around some more, taking in the empty space on silent feet, limping somewhat.

This place is beautiful...I wonder if anyone actually did use it for something or if it's just an empty room waiting for someone to use it...?

Black Mist smiled. He liked this room already.