Chapter 2: Chapter One
It was a cool autumn afternoon in the suburban town of Wrensdale. A man with a short and scruffy beard was sitting down in a rocking chair and watching the neighborhood kids walk home from school with curiosity. Despite the chilled weather, he sat wearing an open trench coat. He seemed to be keeping an eye out for someone in particular as his eyes scanned their faces. He wondered why all of these kids were out of school early: it was a Wednesday after all. He suddenly perked up when he noticed a familiar bus drop off students at the bus stop at the end of the street.
His “soon to be” adoptive daughter just got off the bus ride as well as some rowdy kids. Her notebooks suddenly flew off her hand when she bumped into someone on the way, eyes now averting downward from the bump. However, she brushed it off and plucked up her notebooks in a hurry. She spotted her “soon to be” father, nodding as she decided to mosey on over to him. “Hey, Kyle.”
Kyle stood up, stepping off the porch to greet her. "Hiya Lucy," he said with a smile, "Kids are walking home early. What happened at school?"
“It’s nothing, really,” Lucelia lied, “Just small issues that happened causing early dismissal.”
Kyle sighed, “Small issue? I’m not buying it. Your posture is defeated and your eyes are red like you've been crying.” His voice then softened, “What really happened? Have those kids been bullying you again?”
“Well… this time I had help. He’s in detention now,” She confessed, “Had it not been for him, I’d probably be crying at the bus stop.” Lucelia massaged her shoulders, giving a sheepish smile.
Kyle smiled a little, “That's good. I'm glad that someone stood up for you, though I suspect he had something to do with the early dismissal.” He then looked her in the eyes and quietly whispered, “How violent did it get?”
“It’s nothing really, I think people got hurt, but not by much.”
“Well at least you’re okay,” Kyle replied, then his face lit up. “Oh! I got good news for you!”
Lucelia’s head perked up, “Hm?”
“I heard back from the agency. The paperwork finally went through!" He beamed, “There should be someone coming by your house in a couple days to help you with your things. My wife and I have already prepared a room for you, and we're so very excited to have you as a new member of our family.”
“We-- really?! You mean I can-- should I pack my bags?”
“Probably pack slow,” Kyle winked, “I don't know what they will think if they see you've gotten everything ready before they got there.”
Lucelia chuckled sinisterly. “You’re just how I met you, Kyle,” she stated, “Different behavior, but same cynical ideals.”
Kyle smiled. “Nah, I just know the adoption agency doesn't trust me. It's why it took so long for the paperwork to pass.”
“What do you mean?” Lucelia asked.
Kyle sighed, “Let's just say that my history sounds too boring to be real for some official groups.”
Lucelia raised an eyebrow, then shrugged it off. “I’m heading to the orphan clinic to start packing,” she claimed, “I’ll see you soon!” With that said, she shuffled away: holding her notebooks tighter than before.
Kyle sighed, watching her walk away. He hoped what he had said was enough; he didn't like sharing about his old life, especially in public. It could bring unwanted attention: dangerous attention. Once he couldn't see her anymore, he stepped back up to his house and went inside. He had to check on that new room anyway.
***
After Lucelia parted ways, she trekked over to the orphanage. Knowing it was only a temporary stay now, she was glad to finally be free of this gloomy place. When she reached the door she was halted by the greeter.
“Lucelia Merger. I would like to inform you that you will not be sleeping in your original room for the next two days.”
“I see, where would I sleep then?” She asked, tilting her head.
“You’ll see when you meet the director.” As such the greeter held the door for her, waiting for her to pass through before shutting it tight and locking it, but not until after following Lucelia into the building.
Gazing about in the main hall, a waft of Strong pine was sharply prodding at their noses. It was Wednesday: deep cleaning day after all. From the decade in which she had lived there, her own mind was on autopilot, nullifying the scent. The greeter however plugged his nose and grew paler.
She thought about what happened during lunchtime-- the event as to what happened, about all the things, said and done. For the longest time, she was bullied due to being an orphan. “No one loves her enough to have her as a child” or “Her mother was too much of a whore to keep her.” The one thing that struck the nerve of another peer however was the statement of her being unable to live on her own by the time of graduation.
The one who fumed at hearing all those things was none other than the outcast stranger; Dimitri Kenneth. She didn't know much about him; no one did. The attack happened all at once. In the blink of an eye, the nurse came, then the paramedics, then the police. The bully who started it had his arm lodged against a lunchroom table, and he was only able to spasm. From what happened, the assumption was that Dimitri had completely paralyzed him. The other boys ran off. Thankfully the bothersome bullying was over for the day, and due to the disruption, the school was off for the day, only keeping the students as long as they could.
She shook the memory off the moment she began her journey downstairs into the basement; where the director was. The director told her the same news that Kyle had said earlier, though without all of Kyle's enthusiasm.
“We have news for you Ms. Merger,” The director started, beginning to click on her pen, “Good news and bad news. Which one do you want first?”
It seemed as though she already knew the good news, but she also wanted a confirmation. “Good.”
“The good news is, after this exasperating process, you’re going to be leaving the orphanage,” The director announced with monotony, “The bad however is that we couldn’t really track your parents, so to do this right, you can’t leave tomorrow. You have to leave on your 18th birthday. It’ll be in two days, correct?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“Well, I can say that this will be helpful to you. For these two days, I want no sort of ill behavior from you. I know these girls are frustrating to deal with, and you’re good at restraining yourself, but I don't need to remind you of what the conditions of your discharge process are.” With that, the Director started unraveling notes. “With this, you should be able to leave in no time.”
Wrensdale Orphanage Facility Behavioral Expectations.
No fighting with other orphans. This shows that you aren’t ready to be a civilian in the public. Make sure you’re on time with your homework. You need at least a B- to show initiative in public school Sleep on time. Sleep time is at 8:30pm every night including weekends. You must eat. If you don’t like what you’re eating, you may ask for an alternative. Bathroom breaks are at a minimum. May vary depending on what is eaten, however When you wake up at 6:00am and before you go to sleep at 8:30pm is mandatory-- even if you think you don’t have to go. Make sure you have hygiene tasks finished before breakfast at 7:00am and after dinner at 6:00pm. Your curfew is at 4:30pm. Exceptions are after school activities that surpass this time frame-- including detention. Remember, the staff is always there for you. You may talk to them if so desired. No keeping secrets.
“I understand,” Lucelia confirmed, “There shouldn’t be any problems.”
“You’ve always been one of the most level headed children in this facility. I just wish your parents would have felt the same way,” The director responded, “Before you ask, I have no leads involving your original family. It’s almost as if you appeared out of thin air one day. It hardly matters now. You’re an amazing child, and you’ve always strived to exceed expectations.”
“Thank you, Ms. Wean.” Lucelia replied to the Director.
“Of course. Now it’s almost 5:00, dinner is almost ready, so hop to it.”
“Understood.”
As she went upstairs, Lucelia, peered outside to see a bird standing outside a window: a dove. When she stepped closer the dove flew off before anything could be done.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone