"Gather around everyone, we have a newcomer"

The children listened to their caretaker, gathering around her and staring at the boy beside her with curiosity. He looked no older than seven and he had downcast eyes and a solemn expression.

However, the caretaker had a bright smile on her face, placing her hand on his shoulder gently, she spoke in her usual soft voice, "everyone, this is Elian, say hello". The children all smiled and waved to him, some already stretching their toys towards him. But the boy said nothing, his eyes were just glued to the floor, not even acknowledging them.

The caretaker saw the disappointment in the children's faces as they were not greeted back, so she spoke up, "you see Elian is very sad right now, so please be kind to him and give him some space okay? When he is better, he will talk to you all, promise".

They smiled at her words and soon they all went back to play, leaving them alone. Elian stayed with the caretaker all through playtime, she tried to get him to watch them play even if he won't join them but his eyes did not leave the ground.

"Is there anything you need?" she asked softly, using her hands to rub his back gently.

Silence

"It's okay if you don't want to talk but if you need anything, just give me a signal okay?"

Silence

"Alright children come inside, play time is over".

A collective sound of disappointment went through the yard as the children stopped what they were doing and went back inside.

Elian followed them inside too with the caretaker walking behind them and instructing them to take off their shoes before going inside.

.

.

.

Why is this story being told from the Third POV?

This is my story

I should tell it

My name is Elian and I was born to suffer.

At the age of seven I watched my parents get slaughtered because of two hundred bucks, that's right, that flimsy sum of money my father borrowed and couldn't pay back.

He actually wanted to pay it when he got his salary but his stupid boss delayed the payment and that cost him his life.

How sad…

Anyways!

I was the only child of my parents, a mistake, they never wanted to have me but they did because they did not use protection. Smh.

I think my dad said the condom broke. I dunno.

But they never treated me as such, they didn't have much but they went out of their way to make me comfortable and safe.

It hurt seeing them die in such a miserable way.

I had dreams that I would be rich and successful and then I would be able to take care of them like they took care of me.

But that was all they were

Dreams

Now they are gone and I have no one left in the world, except a shitty aunt that wants nothing to do with me.

So I ended up in the orphanage.

When the killer came, my mom hid my small form inside the wardrobe (classic), but I managed to peek.

I shouldn't have

It haunted me till this day, it redefined my entire life and shook me to my core.

It took away my sanity.

The police found me a few hours later when a neighbor came to ask for sugar and met the gruesome sight. They immediately called the police and I was found and rescued.

But another thing hurt.

They would never get s proper funeral, they would probably be dumped at some public cemetery or cremated, I don't know.

They were good people.

My mom and her soft smile.

And my dad and his even softer smile.

At least they are gone from this cruel world. But they left me alone, to face it all and I did, in an epic way.

.

.

.

I sat on one of the beds in the room. The other children also on their beds, all preparing for a good night's rest.

"Okay kids, good night okay? Make sure you sleep and do not cause trouble when the lights are out" she warned.

I later learnt her name was Miss Grace, apparently she was single, that is what the chatterboxes told me, I don't know why I had that information at the time but whatever.

She was pretty and kind, with soft, almost angelic features and a melodic voice, she was like a ray of sunshine.

I wonder why she was single.

At this time, I had barely gotten myself, my head was still hung low, the memories still fresh in my mind.

I was still holding on to bits of my sanity where, still trying to hope and believe that it was all a dream.

But it all felt too real.

The lights turned off, plunging us into darkness and Miss Grace said her final goodnight and left the room.

I laid down in bed, my head against the somewhat soft pillows and the small but thick blankets wrapped around me.

I remember still feeling cold and scared despite the bright moonlight coming in from the window and the thick blanket covering me.

It was not enough.

The fear still stayed in my body, paralyzing me, haunting me even in the waking world.

I tried to close my eyes and forget about everything but that was a big mistake.

Anytime I did that, I would remember their faces vividly, the memory etched into the deepest parts of my small and fragile mind.

I remembered how my father begged for the man to spare them, when he saw he was going to die anyway, he began to beg for the man to spare his wife at least, even if he would take him.

But the man was cold and ruthless and he didn't care of such things and pleading did not move him one bit.

He ended my father and then finished my mother too.

Well at least they will be together in the afterlife.

If there is such a place.

I let out a deep breath and tried to sleep once more, trying to forget but then I was awoken again.

Not by the memories

But by a voice

"Hello Elian"