A year flew by quickly and I have been on constant high alert, since Mistress Isabelle could show up any day now, and have been replaying the plan I came up with in mind.
"accept the demon blood, become a Demon-Human and then grow strong enough to kill her and her captains."
since their has been peace between the humans and demons for a millennium, the humans are unaware of humans being able to become Demon-Humans, and I think to myself.
"after becoming a Demon-Human I can't stay with Mistress Isabelle, or I'll end up being under her control again."
so with that in mind I'll become a Demon-Human and return back, so that I can focus on growing stronger and sharpening my skills, I clench my fists and think to myself.
"I still have those skills embedded in me, but the only problem that I'm facing is that my six year old
body doesn't have the strength or speed to be able execute my skills."
Ryan who saw me standing in the forest alone staring up through the canopy, asks.
"you feeling okay brother?"
I look at him and respond.
"yeah, I was just thinking about stuff."
he replies.
"not really surprising since you are always doing that."
I approach him and said to him.
"let's get going before the sisters scold us for being outside when it is almost bed time."
As we head back to the Orphanage, we spot a carriage being that is just right outside, Ryan points at a bulky individual with two medium sized horn coming from his forehead.
I think to myself.
"it looks like Mistress Isabelle has finally arrived.
Ryan asks still pointing at the Demon.
"aren't they Demon? what are they doing here at the orphanage?"
I shrug my shoulders.
"I have no idea, maybe they are merchant that was heading towards the capital and got lost."
but I know all too well about why Mistress Isabelle is here, I then tell him.
"let's go before we get in trouble."
we run and make it inside the orphanage, but then my heart sinks to my stomach as I make eye contact with Mistress Isabelle's icy deep blue eyes, I notice that she is wearing her favorite light blue corset dress skirt, she takes one look at me and adjusts her dark blue sorceress hat.
"who might you be little boy?"
even though I was expecting her arrival, it still feels unreal that I'm here looking at her, she giggles.
"oh, are we speechless."
Ryan answers for me.
"his name is Darius and my name is Ryan, and I'm his sworn brother."
she smiles warmly at him.
"well isn't that just precious."
Sister Rose, comes towards Mistress Isabelle holding a scroll and said.
"everything looks like it is in proper order."
she hands over the scroll to Mistress Isabelle and asks.
"so what has you interested in adopting a human child madam?"
she smiles.
"I believe that both human and demon children need a loving parent to guide them in this sometimes harsh and unfair world."
Sister Rose smiles.
"I believe the same thing as well, that is the main reason why I took the job of being in charge of an orphanage."
she then asks.
"well do you want to meet the children?"
she smiles at me and then responds politely.
"yes I would love to meet the wonderful children of this orphanage."
as she follows Sister Rose, I ask myself.
"did Mistress Isabelle fabricate my memories while I was serving her."
I grit my teeth and clench my fists.
"is this why I don't remember this orphanage or any of the sisters here?"
Ryan who looks like has been completely taken in by her beauty, asks me.
"do you really think she'll adopt a human?"
I reply.
"yeah it seems like a possibility."
I then ask him.
"did you see the scroll?"
he nods.
"yeah, what about it?"
I answer.
"I think she might have gotten permission by a kingdom official to adopt a human."
he responds.
"who cares? sure it is a bit strange and rare, but anything can happen in this world."
I grumble.
"why does it seem like your less than a child as the days pass."
he replies.
"I get it from you brother, I've been hanging out with you too much."
I make a remark.
"but yet you haven't lost any weight."
he sighs.
"I'm sorry."
I reply.
"don't worry about it."
I then think to myself.
"there is not much we can do with our children bodies without causing growth development problems."
we then get interrupted by Sarah who asks.
"did the two of you meet the Demon beauty yet?"
I answer as she runs her a hand through her long brown hair.
"yes we did."
I ask her.
"what are your thoughts on her?"
she answers.
"she is beautiful, she has warm motherly aura about her and is very pleasent."
I ask.
"it doesn't bother you that she is a demon?"
she shakes her head.
"not really, if she were to choose me, I'd go."
I then say to Sarah.
"well I guess me and Ryan should return to our bedroom, and wait until she has made a decision."
she replies.
"Kay, if none of us get adopted then we'll see each
other tomorrow."
we arrive into our bedroom where the others who we share rooms with our buzzing about Mistress Isabelle's unexpected visit, I hear the one with the spiky hair say.
"you can believe someone as beautiful as her is going to adopt one of us?"
another one with the buzz cut replies.
"don't get your hopes up, she will most likely adopt a girl."
the one with the fauxhawk hair style murmurs with disappointment.
"you have a point."
the kid with the spiky hair named Kenneth asks me.
"what do you think Darius."
I respond, pretending to not know what is about to happen.
"I've got brown skin, so I doubt she'll chose me."
they laugh.
"yeah, I feel bad for you since no one is going to adopt you."
Ryan gets mad.
"all of you shut up!"
I place my hand on his chest and say.
"it's okay, you off all people should know that I don't care."
he sighs.
"sorry."
a few hours pass by and a knock on out bedroom catches all of our attention.
"Darius I need to have a word with you."
one of the boys chortles.
"he got in trouble again."
as I'm about to leave the bedroom I say to Ryan.
"make sure you don't give up, even if things feel hard, I need you to peservere."
he nods.
"sure Darius."
he asks.
"why do you make it sound you are not coming back?"
I don't answer his question but for the first time ever I smile at him.
"you'll be okay."
I close the bedroom behind me and notice Mistress Isabelle standing next to Sister Rose, I then ask.
"am I in trouble Sister Rose?"
she walks up to me with a big smile on her face.
"don't be silly child, I called you because this lovely woman wishes to adopt you."
as I'm about to shake Mistress Isabelle's hand, a sharp pain pierces my heart and start hyperventilating, Sister Rose instantly panics.
"Darius what's wrong."
I kneel on the ground clutching my chest, and as I look up and stare deeply into Mistress Isabelle's ice deep blue eyes, I remember why I was pleading.
"please stop."
the memory comes to me clear as day, everything played very similarly to this exact moment and how the idea of getting adopted by a demon scared me so I rejected her adoption of me as to give her the option to adopt someone else but she didn't take to kindly with my rejection, she first killed Sister Rose and while she was killing everyone in the orphanage, I was pleading for her to stop, I then snap out of it, and reply to Sister Rose while breathing heavily, still clutching my chest.
"sorry Sister Rose, I was just feeling overwhelmed that someone would adopt me."
she helps me up and apologizes to Mistress Isabelle.
"sorry about that, this the first time he has ever done that."
Mistress Isabelle puts her hand on shoulder and smiles.
"why would you think no one would adopt you?
are you naughty child?"
I shudder and think to myself.
"how did I ever become mesmerized by her?"
I reply, trying to get my breathing back to normal.
"I apologize, and I am quite the trouble maker Missus."
she smirks.
"oh, I like your honesty."
Sister Rose smacks me in the back in the head and said.
"Don't worry Miss Isabelle, he can be quite a handful, but he is good boy in need of an understanding and loving parent."
she kneel close to me asks.
"so what do you say about me adopting me?"
I regain my composure and answer.
"I'd be honored um."
I then ask.
"how should I address you?"
she smiles.
"how about Mistress Isabelle?"
I bow to her.
"I'd be honored Mistress Isabelle."
she pats me on the head.
"and who knows, maybe you can call me Mom as we grow closer."
I force a smile.
"sure."
she then asks, Sister Rose.
"Alright while I sign the paper work, you should help gather his belongings."
she hands over two pieces of paper, in which I assume are adoption papers, and replies to Mistress Isabelle.
"the children don't have personal belongings, except the clothes on their back."
she signs both papers.
"I see."
she then asks.
"then I'm assuming that, I can take young Darius home with me starting today."
Sister Rose nods.
"yes."
as Mistress Isabelle offers me her hand, I ask Sister Rose.
"before I go can I say goodbye."
Sister Rose and Mistress Isabelle both smile and say.
"of course."
Sister Rose.
"do you want to say goodbye to the other children?"
I shake my head.
"no, I want to say goodbye to Sister Melani."
I tell Mistress Isabelle.
"I'll be quick."
she smiles.
"sure, I'll wait for you here."
I go towards the cafeteria, where I know that around this time the sisters dine when we are in bed, I then think to myself.
"did Mistress Isabelle refrain from going on a killing sprain because I didn't refuse her."
I spot Sister Melani and I walk up to her, she see me and asks.
"shouldn't you be in bed Darius."
I response.
"no, the nice lady came to adopt me."
she drops her spoon, surprised that Mistress Isabelle chose me, she stands up and hugs me tightly.
"I'm so happy for you."
she then kneels down and asks.
"so why did you come to see me?"
I reply.
"I wanted to say good bye and to thank you."
I smile for her, for the first time as well.
"I know I've given you much grief and I wanted to thank you for acting like a mother to me."
she begins to bawl her eyes out, she kneels down and hugs me tightly.
"you don't need to thank me sweety, you just go on and live a happy life for me."
I take off my necklace with stone attached to it and give it to her.
"one day we'll meet again and you can give it back to me then."
she squeezes me even harder, still crying.
"I change my mind, please don't go Darius, stay here with us and I'll adopt you myself."
I feel conflicted, since I'm not strong enough to prevent Mistress Isabelle's onslaught if I decide not to go with her, I kiss her on the cheek.
"I promise you one day we'll meet again."
while clutching the necklace, she says.
"I'll hold you to that promise."
after letting me go, I make my way back towards
Mistress Isabelle thinking to myself.
"she was the first person in my life that ever truly felt like a Mom figure to me."
I fight back tears as I grab Mistress Isabelle's hand, who said to me.
"we should get going."
upon leaving the orphanage and entering the carriage, I see all the Sisters of the orphanage gathered outside waving goodbye, except for Sister Melani who has both her hands covering her eyes, I then think to myself.
"this is for the best."
Mistress Isabelle looks at me and asks.
"are you ready for a new chapter of your life?"
I nod.
"yes."
I then ask.
"if you don't mind me asking, why did you want to adopt me?"
she answers.
"I see something special in you, and see that you are destined for great things in the future."
she smiles.
"I'm glad you said yes, because when I have my eyes on something and want it, I'll get it no matter what."
a chill runs down my spine when she said that to me, I sigh and think about the alternative if I would have said no to her.