The days at the orphanage settled into a familiar rhythm: the clatter of breakfast trays in the cafeteria, the echoing chatter of children through the halls, the scent of freshly baked bread wafting from the kitchen, and the sight of sunlight filtering through the stained glass windows. What once felt unsettling had become oddly comforting—a strange blend of chaos and calm that seemed to cradle us in its embrace.

Our new friends—Sarah, Ellie, Jenna, and Claire—not only filled our days with laughter but also became pillars of support amid our shared challenges. Whether it was sharing jokes in the hallways, exploring hidden corners of the backyard, or walking together to school, these interactions became small highlights of our day. Every glance, every wave, was like a piece of a larger puzzle falling into place, weaving the threads of our lives into a comforting tapestry.

Sarah, with her fiery red hair that blazed with every step, had a presence that commanded attention. Her determined gaze was like a beacon, making even the impossible seem within reach. At twelve, she carried herself with an air of confidence that inspired those around her. Her bravery was not just in her words but in her actions. In a display of unwavering determination, one afternoon following a challenging day, Sarah fearlessly confronted the cook in charge of meal preparations, advocating for improved nourishment for the children. I stood frozen in awe as she spoke with a calm yet commanding tone. “It’s unfair that they only get the scraps,” she declared, her tone firm and resolute. The room seemed to hold its breath; the air charged with a mixture of anticipation and tension. Sarah wasn’t the type to merely talk about change—she made it happen.

Jenna, with her short blond hair and a mischievous twinkle in her eye, was the resident troublemaker with a heart of gold. At twelve, she was always amid some harmless prank or daring adventure. Her latest stunt had everyone at the orphanage buzzing—sneaking a kitten into the dormitory. Although she eventually had to part ways with the kitten, Jenna's infectious energy continued to infuse our interactions with excitement and spontaneity, ensuring each moment was brimming with unexpected delights.

Ellie was the quiet observer, her thoughtful gaze hinting at secrets only she seemed to understand. With long black hair and a serene demeanour, she was ten years old but carried herself with wisdom beyond her years. Often, I’d catch her sitting by herself, staring at the sky, lost in contemplation. “What are you thinking about?” I’d ask, and she’d offer a soft smile. “Ancient civilizations,” she’d reply, her tone carrying the weight of someone much older.

Claire, a gentle soul with an angelic face framed by flowing silver hair, radiated an almost ethereal kindness that seemed to envelop everyone around her. Her glasses-framed eyes always held a calm that could quiet any storm. When things became tough, Claire had a way of making everything better. One rainy afternoon, after a particularly rough day, she handed me a flower she had picked from the garden, a simple yet profound gesture that warmed my heart and brought solace to my weary soul. “Even on bad days, beauty still exists,” she said softly, her voice like a soothing balm to my frayed nerves.

Theo and I had found our place within this growing circle of friends. Theo, with his slender yet athletic build and kind eyes, was ten years old, the same age as Ellie and Claire. He had a knack for looking on the bright side, and his optimism often guided us through challenging moments. “We’ll figure it out, Lumen,” Theo always said, his voice brimming with confidence, a beacon of hope whenever I found myself on the brink of despair. I remembered how, on days when everything felt overwhelming, it was Theo’s infectious optimism that kept me from crumbling.

At the age of seven, despite towering over peers of similar age, I lacked the athleticism commonly associated with children my size. My build was slender, and while I was the youngest among the group, my age seemed to endear me to the others. In the quiet moments, I would catch myself smiling at the thought of how much my life had changed since meeting Sarah, Ellie, Jenna, and Claire. They weren’t just friends; they were my anchors, keeping me grounded in this unpredictable world. Every time we gathered, I found myself at the centre of their plans, whether it was sneaking into the kitchen for midnight snacks or concocting stories about the old, abandoned rooms of the orphanage.

The weeks passed, and our routine evolved into a comforting part of our lives. Our interactions with the girls moved beyond brief chats to more meaningful exchanges. We shared stories, laughed together, and faced minor crises as a group, each challenge strengthening our bond.

One evening, Theo and I were sprawled in the backyard, savouring the serenity of the twilight sky. The grass beneath us was cool and slightly damp, a soothing contrast to the day's heat. The horizon blazed with a fiery palette of deep oranges and soft pinks, the colours blending seamlessly like an artist's brushstroke. As the sun dipped lower, it cast elongated shadows that danced and flickered across the yard, painting the world in a golden hue. The evening air was rich with the melodic chirping of crickets, their rhythmic songs harmonizing with the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. The distant, carefree laughter of children still playing added a joyful symphony to the twilight ambience. It was a moment of serene twilight, the sky a canvas of shifting hues as the sun bowed out for the night. A soft breeze tugged at the edges of my clothes, bringing with it the earthy scent of damp grass. I was excitedly sharing with Theo how I’d started loving drawing, pouring my heart into each sketch and finding solace in the strokes of my chalk stick. Theo was about to start to explain a way we could earn some money when suddenly, a few rocks clattered against us, shattering the peaceful ambience.

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A surge of adrenaline jolted through me, my heart pounding in my chest as I anxiously surveyed the surroundings, anticipation and fear intertwining in my gut. Marcus and his gang advanced, their eyes gleaming with a predatory malice that sent icy shivers down my spine. Theo and I exchanged nervous glances, our muscles tensing as fear tightened its familiar knot in my stomach. This was no longer just a nuisance; it felt like a looming threat.

Our expressions tightened with a mix of frustration and defiance, jaws clenched and eyes locked in a silent challenge to the looming threat before us. But as we braced ourselves, we noticed Sarah and Jenna standing nearby, their presence giving us a flicker of courage.

“What do you want, Marcus?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, though it wavered slightly. My fists clenched at my sides, and I shot a glance at Theo. He gave me a reassuring nod, ready to stand his ground.

Theo, equally exasperated, added, “If you’re here to cause trouble, just get it over with.”

Marcus, who had been poised to escalate the situation, backed off with a shrug, muttering something under his breath as he saw Sarah and Jenna moving closer.

“You two look like you need help,” Sarah said, her voice carrying a mix of amusement and genuine concern.

Jenna flexed her muscles dramatically, adding, “Yeah, we figured it’s a chance to get some answers from Marcus.”

Sarah scoffed, crossing her arms. “But he left as soon as he saw us coming.”

I breathed a sigh of relief, though my curiosity was piqued. “Thanks to you both, we avoided a confrontation. But what’s his problem with us?”

Theo chimed in, “I tried figuring it out too, but the most I heard was that it had something to do with a girl.”

Sarah’s eyes narrowed as she pieced together the clues, “Oh, so that’s what it is. Give me a few days, and we’ll figure it out,” she said, her voice laced with a sly determination.

Jenna smirked and puffed out her chest with a grin, “You know, I’m probably the strongest one here.”

Theo snickered, “Yeah, yeah, you’re the boss.”

We all laughed, the tension dissipating into the cool evening air. The following week, our routine continued to evolve. We met up more frequently, sometimes just to chat, other times to help each other with schoolwork. Sarah’s fiery spirit and Jenna’s playful antics were balanced by Ellie’s thoughtful observations and Claire’s calm presence.

One afternoon, we gathered in the backyard, the sun shining brightly overhead. Ellie was absorbed in a book about ancient legends; her brow furrowed in concentration. Claire was lost among the blooming flowers in the garden, her gentle touch caressing each petal. Theo and I were deep in discussion about a new book we had both started reading, exchanging thoughts and theories with enthusiasm.

Sarah and Jenna approached us with dramatic flair as if they were bearers of some crucial news. They made a scene, announcing with theatrical seriousness, “We know now.”

We looked up from our activities, skepticism written on our faces. “Great, great,” we replied, turning back to our discussions.

Sarah’s eyes sparkled with a mix of irritation and determination as she lightly smacked Theo’s head. "Honestly, you two, the reason Marcus targets you is crystal clear now. You’re so dense sometimes!”

Theo and I stood up, intrigued. “What did you find out?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady despite the flutter of anxiety in my chest.

Sarah continued, “The target is you, Lumen.”

My eyes widened in shock. “Huh?”

Theo chimed in with a mischievous grin, his teasing tone laced with playful sarcasm. “Good luck, my friend. It was nice knowing you...sort of.”

Claire rolled her eyes. “Stop the silliness, Theo, for once.”

Sarah pressed on, “So, I was saying, Marcus just wants to beat you up because of a girl, like Theo said.”

Before she could finish, I blurted out, “What? I don’t even know who she is!”

Sarah held up her hand to silence me. “Remember that day you accidentally barged into the girls’ dorm?” she said, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

I gulped, recalling the moment vividly. “Yeah. Mr. Dan slapped me.”

“Well, the girl you saw coming out of the bath was Aurelia,” Sarah explained as if revealing a long-held secret. “And she’s kind of a big deal. Around here, people call her the "Princess".”

"Wow, a princess? How could you not realize?" Theo teased, his tone full of youthful mischief.

I stammered, my mind racing. “A princess?”

“You’re practically royalty now," Theo added, stifling a laugh.

I groaned, burying my face in my hands. “Stop.”

Sarah nodded sympathetically. “Take your time. It’s a lot to process.”

As we made our way back to the orphanage, the weight of Sarah’s words settled over me like a heavy cloak. Aurelia. The girl by the pond. I had tried so hard to forget about her, to dismiss her from my thoughts, but now I understood. She was at the heart of everything—the rumours, Marcus’s anger. And, like it or not, I was entangled in something far bigger than I had ever anticipated.

That night, as I lay in bed, I couldn’t shake Aurelia’s image from my mind. Her serene face, her graceful movements, the mystery that surrounded her—all of it haunted my thoughts, twisting and turning in the depths of my imagination. I wanted to forget, but it was clear that forgetting wasn’t an option anymore. I drifted off, my mind still tangled in the thought of how to escape this mess, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on me like a heavy blanket. Each thought of Aurelia and the impending confrontation with Marcus swirled in my mind, a whirlpool of conflicting emotions and unanswered questions. It felt impossible back then, but sleep always seemed to come easily in those days, a temporary respite from the turmoil brewing within. Amid looming challenges, the solace of sleep beckoned as a fleeting sanctuary, offering a momentary reprieve before braving the unknown trials that awaited in the days ahead.