Deep in the forest, fallen leaves blew along the ground. The wind blew quietly through the trees, and the faint sound of a city could be heard from the distance. The leaves crunched as something stood up. It rose from the ground, leaves falling off of its bare back as it stretched its body. It had the body of a young person, no older than 15, yet its skin was far too smooth and young looking even for a 15 year old. Its dark hair fell down just below its shoulders, giving it a sort of androgynous look. And its eyes stared blankly forward, looking as though they had seen many lifetimes worth of anguish.
“It worked.” The words came out his mouth raspily.
He cleared his throat and began inspecting his body.
“Looks like it's been designed exactly as I asked.” He inspected each part of his body, getting familiarized with it.
The boy looked into the sky for a moment, before walking towards the sounds of the city.
The boy’s mind raced with thought, deciding what he would do next.
Step one is obviously getting my basic needs sorted. After that, I should gather information. He thought as the city’s skyline appeared through the trees.
He entered the city through an alleyway, and searched a nearby dumpster for anything he could cover himself up with. After a minute of searching, he found a dirty shirt and a pair of pants.
This will do for now.
He put the clothes on and stepped out of the alleyway.
Next, a place to stay. I look pretty young, so if I find an orphanage I'd have a place to stay for a few years while I gather information and funds.
After a few minutes of walking, he bumped into a man in a suit.
“Excuse me sir.” He asked the man politely.
The man looked up, seemingly exhausted “huh? Do you need something?”
“Yes sir. Do you happen to know where the nearest orphanage is?”
“Orphanage? No I don't. Here, I'll look it up.” He pulled a phone out of his pocket and began typing something.
After a few moments, he looked up and held his phone out “here. It's just a few blocks away.”
“Thank you sir.”
Good. Once I get put into the orphanage, I'll have free food and shelter, as well as some better clothes.
He finally made it to the orphanage, and opened the door.
Inside, a girl was asleep at a desk in the front.
“Excuse me.”
The girl jolted awake “huh? What's happening? Who's there?”
She picked up a pair of glasses from under the desk and put them on, inspecting the boy in front of her closely.
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“Do you need something?” She asked, yawning in the middle of her sentence.
“I need a place to stay.”
The girl suddenly looked excited “is that so! Hold on just a moment, I'll be right back!”
She rushed up the stairs behind her.
They'll probably ask for my name, what should I use? I obviously shouldn't use my old name.
After a while, a middle aged man came down the stairs. He walked to the desk and took a small, worn book out of his pocket.
“Hello young man.” He said, smiling brightly “may I know your name?”
“It's Arthur, sir.”
“I see, Arthur.” He opened the book and wrote something in it. “Nice to meet you Arthur, my name is Steven. I run this orphanage. I heard you need a place to stay?”
“Yes sir.”
“I see. What about your parents?”
“They're dead.”
“Oh, I see. I'm sorry, but may I ask what happened to them?”
“They were murdered.”
“I see, I'm sorry for asking. Do you have a legal guardian?”
“No.”
“I see.” He closed the book and put it back in his pocket. “Follow me, I'll show you to your room.”
He led Arthur up the stairs to a room on the third floor of the building.
“This is it. I'll bring some dinner up to you later, so just focus on getting used to the room, alright?” Steven smiled warmly, walking out of the room and closing the door.
Alright, shelter and food secured. It's pretty small, but it’s clean and free, so I won’t complain.
Arthur opened up the dresser, pulling out some clean clothes and switching into them, putting the pair from the dumpster into the trash can.
Much better. When Steven comes back I’ll ask for a phone so I can start researching and coming up with a plan.
He walked over to an open area of the room and began to stretch.
Now, I should begin training my body.
After he finished stretching, he did pushups. After that, situps.
I should buy weights once I get some spending money.
After a little while, Steven came back, holding a bowl of soup.
“Hello! I hope you like soup. I would have made something better, but I think I should wait until tomorrow to prepare a big welcome dinner, that way you can eat with all the other kids once you've all been introduced.”
Steven placed the bowl on the small desk.
“Thank you. By the way, do you have any sort of electronic device I can use? Anything will work.” Arthur asked, walking over to the desk.
“Hmmm… I think I have an old laptop somewhere, I'll go try to find it.”
“Alright, thank you.”
Steven stepped out of the room and closed the door.
Steven walked back into the room holding a thick laptop, probably at least 15 years old.
“Took me a while to find it, but here it is. Do you need anything else?”
Arthur stood up.
“Yes. Could you lead me to the bathroom? I'd like to take a shower.”
“Of course. Follow me.” He led Arthur out into the hallway and down the stairs, stopping in front of a door and opening it.
“Here it is.” Steven began to walk away “I'm heading to bed now, I'll come wake you up in the morning.”
Arthur walked into the bathroom and turned the shower on, stepping into it after the water warmed up.
Things are going well so far.
He was in deep thought as he washed his long, dark hair.
I have enough to survive now, and with the laptop I was given I can start doing some research. Next up is the hardest part…
He washed all the shampoo out of his hair and stepped out of the shower.
I need weapons. I'll never succeed if I don't have a way to defend myself and defeat the enemy.
He put his clothes on and walked back to his room.
Maybe I should tell someone about the future. It might be good to have some allies.
He took his clothes off and put a pair of pajamas on.
But who do I tell…
He laid in bed, thinking about his plan until he fell asleep.