The room was filled with an air of anticipation as the children of the orphanage waited with bated breath. They had been captivated by Miss Foster's storytelling, the tale of Commander Leonhart's heroism and his promise to protect the kingdom ringing in their ears. But now, an urgent knock had disrupted the tale at its most suspenseful moment.
Miss Foster, her eyes reflecting the curiosity mirrored in the children's faces, excused herself from her storytelling duties. With gentle reassurance, she promised to return shortly and reveal the conclusion of the heroic tale.
As she made her way to the door, the children exchanged hushed whispers, wondering who could be seeking entrance at this late hour. The orphanage was nestled in a quiet corner of the city, far from bustling streets and distractions. Visitors were a rare occurrence, and their arrival at this hour was decidedly unusual.
Ahiro, the second eldest among the children, picked up his tablet, a sleek device connected to the security system of the orphanage. It had been provided to him by a kind government official who recognized Ahiro's aptitude. The tablet allowed him to monitor the orphanage's security feeds, providing an extra layer of protection for the children.
With practiced ease, Ahiro accessed the security app, his fingers flying over the touchscreen as he brought up the live video feed of the entrance. The image showed a dimly lit corridor leading to the door, the figure of Miss Foster approaching.
The children watched in silence, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of the tablet screen. The knock came again, louder this time, a sense of urgency in its cadence.
"Who is it?" she called, her tone a mixture of caution and curiosity.
Ahiro continued to monitor the security feed, his gaze fixed on the image of the corridor. The tablet's screen displayed a split view, with one side showing the live feed and the other displaying a diagram of the orphanage's layout.
Ahiro's fingers danced across the tablet's screen, shifting the camera view from inside the corridor to the one mounted outside the orphanage. It was a cloudy night, and the surroundings were enveloped in darkness. Ahiro activated the infrared lights, bathing the area in a soft, artificial glow.
As the courtyard came into view, Ahiro's heart skipped a beat. There, beneath the muted radiance of the lights, stood three figures. They were obscured by shadows, their features indistinguishable.
A sense of unease gnawed at Ahiro's gut, intensifying with each passing moment. He strained to see their faces, to discern any recognizable features, but the shadows clung to them like a shroud.
And then, a chilling realization struck him. His gaze fixated on the man who had been knocking on the door, the central figure among the trio. On the man's exposed forearm was a tattoo—a sinister emblem that sent shivers down Ahiro's spine.
The tattoo was an intricate design, a sinister mark associated with a notorious gang that had plagued the city for years. Its twisted symbolism and intricate patterns marked the bearer as a member of the feared syndicate - Blood Serpent.
The orphanage had always been a sanctuary for the children, a place of safety and refuge. It was tucked away in a quiet corner of the city, deliberately distanced from the criminal underbelly that lurked in the metropolis's darker corners.
Ahiro's mind raced as he assessed the situation. What could members of this notorious gang want at the orphanage, especially at this hour? The children's safety was his primary concern, and he couldn't afford to take any chances.
With a deep breath, Ahiro activated a silent alarm within the security system, alerting the local authorities to the presence of potential threats. He also began recording the feed, ensuring that every moment of this unexpected visit was documented.
Back inside the orphanage, the children exchanged worried glances, their faces mirroring Ahiro's concern.
Ahiro's mind raced as he carefully executed his plan. With the silent alarm activated, he knew that help would be on the way, but he couldn't leave anything to chance when it came to the safety of the children.
In a hushed tone, he urged the children to stand up and form a quiet queue behind him. Fear and uncertainty filled the room, but their trust in Ahiro was unwavering. They had seen him protect and care for them countless times, and now they followed him without hesitation.
With the children in tow, Ahiro led them to the pantry, which was tucked behind the kitchen. It was a small, dimly lit space filled with shelves stocked with non-perishable food items. Ahiro silently motioned for the children to enter and stay low.
As the last child slipped inside, Ahiro gave a final instruction. He handed his tablet to his younger sister, Elara, who looked up at him with wide, worried eyes. Ahiro activated the tablet's flashlight, casting a soft, reassuring glow over their faces.
Closing the pantry door behind him, Ahiro leaned in close to the children and spoke in a soothing tone. "Everything is going to be okay," he whispered. "We're just playing a new game. It's a game of hide and seek. Remember, you have to be very, very quiet. No one can find us in here."
Elara, her small hands clutching the tablet, couldn't contain her anxiety any longer. She tugged at Ahiro's sleeve and whispered, "But, Ahiro, what's happening? Why are we hiding?"
Ahiro knelt down to her eye level, his expression filled with reassurance. "Don't worry, Elara," he whispered back. "There are some unexpected visitors at the orphanage, and we want to make sure everyone stays safe. It's like a little adventure, and we'll all be fine."
Elara nodded, her fear gradually giving way to a fragile sense of trust in her brother. Ahiro ruffled her hair and smiled, silently encouraging her to be brave.
With the children settled in the pantry and Elara holding the tablet's flashlight, Ahiro carefully closed the door, making sure it was secure.
The minutes ticked by in silence, broken only by the sound of hushed breathing. The children clung to Ahiro's every word, their trust in him unwavering as they played their quiet waiting game, hoping for the arrival of help.
Miss Foster stood by the main door, her gaze fixed on the visitors outside, her hand still resting on the latch. She had yet to open the door, and her expression was a mix of caution and curiosity.
As Ahiro quietly approached, he could see the tension in her posture. She had been their caretaker and protector for as long as the children could remember, and now, faced with potential danger, she was resolute in her determination to ensure their safety.
Ahiro gently placed a hand on Miss Foster's shoulder, and she turned to look at him. Her eyes, filled with concern, met his steady gaze.
"Miss Foster," Ahiro began in a calm and reassuring tone, "let me take over from here. I'll use the intercom to communicate with them. We need to ensure the safety of the children inside."
Miss Foster nodded, her trust in Ahiro evident. She stepped aside, giving him room to access the intercom system. Ahiro quickly activated the device, and a small speaker crackled to life, connecting him to the individuals outside.
Taking a deep breath, Ahiro spoke into the intercom, his voice steady and clear. "Who are you, and what brings you here at this hour?"
Outside, the three individuals exchanged glances, their faces still hidden in the dim light. The man with the tattoo on his arm stepped forward, his voice gruff but controlled.
"We're not here for trouble," he replied, his tone suggesting a measure of caution. "We heard about this place, and we've got some business with the one who runs it."
Ahiro furrowed his brow, his mind racing to assess the situation. It was unusual for anyone outside of their small community to come at this hour in the orphanage, let alone seek business with Miss Foster. He needed more information.
"What kind of business?" Ahiro pressed, his voice unwavering.
The man hesitated for a moment, then continued, "Private business. We've got something to discuss, something that concerns the children inside."
Ahiro's eyes narrowed. He had no intention of allowing these individuals access to the orphanage or the children. With a firm resolve, he replied, "I'm afraid we can't accommodate any visitors at this hour. If you have a legitimate matter to discuss, please leave your contact information, and we'll get back to you during our regular hours."
There was a tense silence on the other end of the intercom, and Ahiro held his breath, waiting for their response. Ahiro knew he had to buy time till the security comes so he had to engage them in meaningless conversation or make them go away before they could take any drastic steps.