A looming presence greeted them. The caretaker. Their mother. Their guardian.
She was huge. Very huge.
Even the loose garments of a nun couldn't hide her muscles that scaled all throughout her 6 foot frame..
Disappointed, her face was interrupted by swaying gray hair. Her two silver eyes sharp and filled with serious flames.
Behind her.
The orphanage
It was small and secluded it was located on the outskirts of the town in the wilderness. The orphanage had fences around the main building, it's diameter approximately 1 hectar.
The main building however was old, very old. It had a style of a rustic type building. Something that is suppose to be on the otherside of the world.
It bore similar architecture of that in Europe. It held 2 floors and is able to house up to 20 youths. Speaking of youths throughout the windows several children gathered, curious of the commotion going outside.
As they gossiped a warm orange hue accompanied by dancing shadows could be seen behind them.
The yard had a small garden in the in left corner, in the right a lone willow tree could be seen both currently covered by snow.
Then an image of three boys could be seen getting dragged to an orphanage by their ears.
Shin, Jhaun, And Finsley were getting dragged by an Old nun who scolded them along the way towards the steps leading to the door way.
With a menacing smile, the nun asked in a forceful tone.
"Where in the spell did the three of you go?! I told you to be back before curfew, you three broke curfew an hour ago. Christ sake it's already 8pm!"
The three opened their mouths to reply.
But Jhaun was the first let out a voice. The other two listened forced in submission as he said in a convincing tone.
"It was Shin, sister."
He grabbed her hand and broke her grip of his ear. Stood properly then led her hand to his forehead and smiled.
Jhaun's parents told him that it was tradition to put a respected one's hand onto the forehead to show respect.
As the old hag lended him an ear and her left eyebrow rose. He continued shamelessly.
'Sorry tool, but gotta have my gift.'
"He was running too slow, when we were coming back home. Ma'am it was all his fault. If he was a fast runner we could've made it here in time."
They arrived infront of the stairs and the Old lady let go of the other ears.
Shin massaged his ear and had a disgusted and furious expression across his face, he glanced at Finsley's futile attempt to try not to laugh, and then stared down the face of his snitch who wore a disgusting grin.
'What a snitch! I'll play you back someday John.'
The old hag turned and asked Shin.
"is this true?"
"Yes ma'am, I sincerely apologise. But to tell you the truth none of this could have come home early if we didn't take a detour in the first place. Just because I'm slow doesn't mean its all my fault!"
"I simply could not care of the reasons you give me. Be it true or not. Remember what I said boys."
The trio looked at the grandma with gulit seen all over their face. They then said in unison.
"One for three. Three for one."
"So what does this mean?.."
Finsley answered in a tired voice.
"We three are all to blame."
"Good. Now does this call for judgement?"
Shin answered in a worried expression
"Yes.."
The hag threw an angry look at John then at Finsley who had been in verge of laughing a minute ago is now replaced with a somber face.
Both then answered in a somber tone.
"Yes, Ma'am"
"Good, good.. You understand well. Now come in so we can get warm and full. The others must be starving waiting for you three to arrive.
As the 4 of them went in, they were greeted with a soothing fragrance coming from the food and a comforting warmth from the fire.
The scene was so cozy, that the three almost forgot the previous altercation.
They sat down to eat supper accompanied by other orphans, most aged similarly as them some much younger.
Tooly was eating in a preserved manner.
John was stealing food from other's plates.
Finsley was ravaging the plate.
As they were chatting with each other and with the other kids. A warm fuzzy feeling suddenly surged throughout their bodies.
As Finsley thought
'I don't even want gifts anymore, I just want us all to stay together and be a happy family like always. That's all I wish for.'
Then...
An ugly tear in reality appeared unannounced. Everyone's face shocked and confused as the structure near it collapsed and crumbled.
The ceiling to the roof crumbled revealing the fruitful luna.
The nun mumbled.
"Shit"
She then said in a loud voice
"Children! Follow me!"
Quickly the children ran. The plates and warm grub flew everywhere.
As they panicked and followed her instructions. the trio could be seen especially terrified. Of course they were.
They quickly realize what it was..
Stepping on shards of a plate Jhaun, the rascal ran.
It was a nightmare gate. A few seconds from now, abominations will be coming out the gate to instinctively slaughter any human near its senses.
And they were literally sharing the same room with it. If you could even call it a room anymore. The stars from the collapsed roof, and the moon stared at them with its oppressive presence.
As if spectating gods.
As the other kids scrambled to follow their caregiver, some diverted from the path and scattered to every possible exit and less stood paralyzed in shock. The nun couldn't even notice them for a moment as she too was scared for her life. But she had a responsibility, she had to save her children even if it costs the nun her own life.
'Wretched responsibility, wretched stress, wretched spell..'