Akemi was short of breath and staring at the door of the orphanage she considered her home. As she glanced at the open door and the blood trickling and scattering over the floor, her chest tightened.
"K-killu,Tedd...D-donna! Kudos--mom..Maddie!" She was trembling, panting and cautiously whispering the names of the people that is dear to her, while hearing blood on the floor as she stepped to open the door more wider to see what had happened within. When she saw the cold and dead body of the others that she considered family, her world seemed to come to a halt, and every deep breath she took coincided with the progressive change in the color of her black hair, which eventually became as white as snow. Because of what she saw, her chest began to tighten and she let out a loud cry of grief and anguish.
"No...Please, wake up...I'm home."
-
Akemi, who had just woken up, smiled as she observed the other youngsters sleeping pleasantly in another area of the room. She slowly stood up and went to the kitchen to assist their mother in preparing breakfast.
" Who am I? Who is thisss? " She asks, while giggling.
Sister Maddie laughs at what she was doing as she held Akemi's palm over her eyes. She smiled as she approached the girl.
"Oh Akemi, you do that every day so even though you haven't asked yet, I know for a fact that it's you." Akemi giggled as she peered over at Sister Maddie, who was chopping up the ingredients for the breakfast that was about to be made.
"It's very cold again." She replied, picking out another knife to assist Sister Maddie, whom she had regarded her mother since her birth.
"That's why you should be wearing the winter clothes I bought for you."
"The other kids need it more, and it fits them perfectly--I'm fine with just shirts."
Because of what she stated, the nun simply shook her head. It's been two decades since they saw an infant in front of the orphanage's door, just quiet while wrapped in a thick and seemingly loved blanket. It is still uncertain who abandoned the poor child because there was no letter left to find out the reason why she was abandoned or even what her name was, so Maddie and the other nuns is the one who gave her a name, Akemi.
"Mom." Akemi said. "Why has it been so difficult for me to sleep at night since I reached legal age?"
Sister Maddie paused what she was doing and turned to look at Akemi, who just kept doing what she was doing since earlier. Her prolonged breathing was matched by the sound of the knife being pressed to the chopping board since she didn't know how to respond to Akemi. She continued to do what she was doing previously, thinking deeply about how she should reply to the girl's questioning. She sighed a deep breath because this hadn't been the first time Akemi had asked her that question--many times, and it generally ended in silent between them because she had no idea what she ought to say to her, because she doesn't experience the trouble Akemi was going through and knows for a fact that it's not normal.
"Goodmorningggg Sis Akemi! Momma Maddie! " The youngsters said as they entered the kitchen, breaking the silence. Both were taken aback because it was far too early for them to awaken.
Akemi smiled at the youngsters who approached her and hugged her as she kissed them on the cheek.
"Why did you wake up so early?! It's so early, look, the sun hasn't even risen yet." Akemi stated, her voice was full of laughter and disbelief.
"It's Tedd's fault Sis! He woke up and then he woke us up as well." The boy Killu claimed as though he was still dozing.
The boy named Tedd sat on the chair laughing.
"We already discussed yesterday that we will wake up early to help you and Mama Maddie." The other children imitated what Tedd did and then sat in their seats.
"And what came into your mind to do that?" Maddie asked while cooking the recipes and ingredients that she and Akemi had been cutting earlier.
"Isn't today the first day that sis Akemi will go to the Capitol?" Kudos said.
"Oh yes! Yes!" Killu agreed, still laughing while grabbing Donna's doll to tease her, but did not continue due to Akemi approaching and reprimanding him.
Akemi sighed and then looked at Sister Maddie who was also looking into her eyes and seemed to be conveying that 'it's ok, just give the children a chance'. Akemi simply smiled as a surrender gesture; she couldn't do anything else because they were already awake. And, although she may not admit it, she is pleased with their plan and action.
They all gazed at the window, which had been blown open by the fierce wind. Akemi swiftly ran up to approach and close it, without pausing to think about that today would be her first day away from the place that she considered home and the people she considered family. It's because she's going to the Capitol alone to attend a meeting that is said to be a source of benefit for the children living in the orphanage, Sister Maddie should be the one to attend but there are guests coming to the orphanage that's why she can't go and almost decided to not to, but Akemi is twenty years old afterall, so she decided to be the one who goes on behalf of Maddie.
-
" Take care, Akemi. "
A sweet smile appeared on Akemi's face when she heard the gentle voice of the nun she recognized and considered as her mother. Her face showed concern as she held Akemi's hands.
"You don't need to worry too much Mom, did you forget that I am old already HAHAHHAH" She said jokingly and to lighten her heart.
Akemi once again showed a smile and a nod to Sister Maddie before she finally entered and got into the car. She also has other companions inside and they are nun as well. She can also feel the pace of her heart beating because of this new experience. She silently sat next to some other nun who were sitting quietly while reading the bible.
She sighed as she gazed outside the car's window as the car started to move. This is the first time she has been in a car, and even the first time she has had the opportunity to go to a place called the Capitol, which, according to Sister Maddie, is said to be the center of the city where the orphanage is located and reside. They will have to travel a long way, according to her, because the orphanage is at the far end of town.
Akemi's face lit up with surprise as she noticed a huge field of green land and colorful flowers infront of her eyes. It was new to her because she and her other children had only seen the huge trees on the side and in front of the orphanage so far and had no idea that there was more to nature. She felt sad when she remembered that she didn't even get to say goodbye to the children because another nun had to comfort and distract them knowing the chance thay they would cry and insist on going with her. She sighed as she closed her eyes; the sense of unease she had earlier hasn't gone away; it simply feels like something isn't quite right.
Akemi's eyes widened while she looked around; they were now in front of an enormous building where the conference was going to be held. She couldn't believe what she was seeing; she was skeptical that the large buildings and properties she had only seen in books and newspapers that was brought to the orphanage by the nuns actually existed. She was also dizzy due to the sheer quantity of people around her, as well as the variety of vehicles passing behind them. The nun in front of her drew her attention right away; she nudged her and motioned for them to go inside. Akemi nodded and began heading into the large and elegant door, clearly nervous and excited.
" I hope it's true that we can actually get some kind of benefit from this." She whispered softly to herself.
-
"Children, come and eat!" Maddie, the nun, shouted loudly, attracting the attention of the children that was playing outside the orphanage. She is currently preparing the children's seats as they come in one after another along with the other nun who are her assistants in taking care of the orphans.
"Momma Maddie! When is Akemi coming home?" The young Killu asked after he sat down in his seat.
"Yes, do you think she'd be able to get home before sunset?" Said Tedd, the next child below the one who was older. The nuns look after five orphans; Akemi, who is now twenty years old and the first child that they have taken care of. Tedd, who is ten years old; Killu, Kudos, and Donna, who has just turned seven years old this year. She can see the concern on their faces because they have become so close to the tender girl and their older sister, Akemi.
"Your sister will be here soon, we just have to wait; for now, let's pray for the food first, and then pray that she will return home safely." Stated by the other nun named Aimie.
"What about the visitors? Why haven't they come yet?" asked Kudos, who was excited to see another person wrapped in fancy clothes, often like those who visit the orphanage.
Sister Maddie was about to answer his question when they heard a loud knock on the door. The children were immediately alerted, came closer and hid behind the nuns, out of fear and panic.
" S-stay here ok? Sister Aimie and I will go and see who's knocking." Sister Maddie said nervously but calmly to the children who were now nodding.
-
"Is it still far?"
Akemi kept asking the driver of the car in which they were riding. She is thrilled to tell the others that the program she attended are willing to donate a large sum of money to help people like them who grew up and live in foster homes, as well as to support the expenses for children who want to go to school and pursue their education in the city, it was such a great deal. Studying was one of her dreams back then, but despite of not attending school, she is able to say that she is not behind her contemporaries because her mind is full of knowledge thanks to the books that the nuns buys and bring home.
She came to a halt when the car stopped. " I'll just drop you here, as you can see you can walk from here--the orphanage is right infront of you "
"Thank you!" Akemi shouted happily as she quickly got out of the car.
She closed her eyes as she felt the cool breeze. It was past ten o'clock at night, so the sound of her footsteps, her breathing, the chirping of the night birds and the sound of the insects was the only noise she could hear.
She stopped walking when she noticed the big and round moon, it was fascinating. Since she was a child she always feels strange every time she looks at the moon, she couldn't even determine what it was--but she knew it wasn't good.
At the exact same moment as the strong wind blew, Akemi's heart seemed to be beating fast, the nervousness she experience earlier returned due to the smell of blood that she could smell for some inexplicable reason. She rushed torridly towards the orphanage that her eyes could now see. Sh had no idea what was wrong with her, but she was certain that something horrible happened inside the orphanage.
Akemi was short of breath and staring at the door of the orphanage she considered her home. As she glanced at the open door and the blood trickling and scattering over the floor, her chest tightened.
"K-killu,Tedd...D-donna! Kudos--mom..Maddie!" She was trembling, panting and cautiously whispering the names of the people that is dear to her, while hearing blood on the floor as she stepped to open the door more wider to see what had happened within. When she saw the cold and dead body of the others that she considered family, her world seemed to come to a halt, and every deep breath she took coincided with the progressive change in the color of her black hair, which eventually became as white as snow. Because of what she saw, her chest began to tighten and she let out a loud cry of grief and anguish.
" No...Please, wake up...I'm home."