Something returned and began to take shape. So much time had passed that all seasons had flowed by, and she felt nothing. Time had restored itself, but much had been buried.

The torrential rain allowed droplets to wash away the worst until the sun returned to its post. Umbrellas gathered off the streets, seeking safer places, their use remaining inefficient. The clothes of the prepared got as wet as the unprepared. She had no memories, no sign to stick to, not even an umbrella! In front of her was a massive double door, rigid, part of a stone-built building, surrounded by ornate borders. Three pointed arches extended somewhere in front, leaning on Ionic columns. Decorated arches were also found above the windows on the first and second floors. The roof cascaded down abruptly with sharp arches at the large windows, probably for an unusually designed attic. She looked up, reading "ORPHANAGE" written in more frightening capital letters than the building itself.

The next element in the scene was an overweight woman and a skeleton man. They pushed her inside her new prison, where they shook hands with someone, maybe the director, and without further words, left her there. Taken from there by a caretaker with a matching white bonnet, a worn-out gray skirt, and an apron fluttering in the wind, she entered a tiny bathroom. The caretaker handed her a bucket of ice-cold water, a rough brush, and a towel that was once white. Mold was everywhere, and she pretended to be interested in getting rid of the dirt on her skin. Or rather, to catch a bronchitis if she didn't already have one. The open wounds on her skin stung and bled, and the caretaker tossed her a roll of bandages along with a piece of fabric and a shirt as large as her. She skillfully fixed the bandages, not exactly knowing where she had seen or read the whole process, but it didn't matter. She put on the shirt and found a pair of scissors too close to her, reminding her of her fear. She let out a scream, sounding like a hissing snake, sorry, death. While waving the scissors threateningly in front of her, she took a few steps back, touching the door with her back. Orphans behind the scratched wood of the door were screaming, screaming worse than babies. The sounds came closer. Pushed by the door, she fell over the woman. That's all she was waiting for, to be caught in her claws. Two boys entered the bathroom at that moment, coming face to face with "Scissors." Their scuffle was put on pause, and one evaporated into thin air. The pale one, remaining in place, jumped at her skirt when he saw her rising. He tore the material diagonally, freeing the girl from the arms that suffocated her. The boy took her hand and followed her upstairs. For a while, they thought she was following them, but she was probably too busy with her skirt. On the upper floor, there was an attic with large windows, quite spacious. Around were arranged some cushions, blankets on a too-thin mattress, all used as a bed. Just by looking, you'd be reminded of the tents made of sheets and blankets under which you hide the fluffiest things found around the house. She closed the door behind him and invited her to sit on a cushion near the window. From here, the view consisted of a courtyard with a watchful shed, a tree with a swing, a garage, and a few rows of dilapidated beds. In the distance, there was a meadow bordered by a fence behind the building, then a lake nestled in the middle of a cluster of trees and bushes. They were on the outskirts of the city, far from the noise of the city, from the daily hustle and bustle. Now, she would spend her days up there with her new life companion. He pulled out a packaged bread and a jar of thick, orange liquid from somewhere. For the first time that day, she noticed the growling of her empty stomach. Her mouth filled with saliva even though she hadn't tasted it yet. And when she did, it was breathless, licking her fingers graciously, thanking him for the offering.

—You're so adorable that I have to protect you from this evil world.

–Do you want to be my knight and save the lady in distress?

–With all my loyalty and strength, my lady.

He stopped chirping a word and studied her carefully. White hair fell over her thin face, hiding her golden eyes and expression. Curious, he approached and allowed the light to touch her facial features, arranging the white strands behind her ears. She looked like a ghost ready to haunt the orphanage for centuries, but the idea didn't frighten him. He stared at her from all angles until the girl stumbled him, totally bored.

–I don't know if you'll manage to protect me.

–Pfff, protection for such an lack-mannered princess! I give up!

–Then say goodbye to the lady.She twirled at him, perplexed and upset on the floor beside her, grumbling like an old man.

–Are you serious? asked her persevering knight.

–No, she finally confessed, then continued to tell him another story. If next time he failed the test, she would run far, farther than the end of the world.

—And what do I do without my lady..?! If that's the case, give me your address to visit you, haha. He complained and gave her another slice with that mysterious orange.

She accepted the slice and then replied, If you tell me what this orange is, I can forgive you.

–It's just apricot jam stolen from the kitchen of those fat caretakers. Haven't you ever tasted it?

–No, and I think I don't need to, do you bring me some?

–Another time, I'm not your servant.

–Okay, Mr. Servant!

"Mrs. Antoinette! Mrs. Antoinette! He repeated twice, seeing her very nervous.

She didn't respond. Instead, she stared to be hypnotized by the outside light, painting the clouds with watercolors of pale pink, lavender, and a hint of yellow submerged in an ultramarine blue tone. She would like to be somewhere higher than that, and the boy read her mind, telepathically urging her to climb together to the best place to admire the view. In the yard, at the back door, the fire escape was placed, and they climbed it carefully. Up, higher than anyone and anything, there was a slightly godly feeling there. The perfectly shining, clean, and slippery tiles were just right to break your neck. He held her hand tightly, at least to make sure he could take on the role of a savior. With small steps, they crossed half of the roof right on the edge, reaching a skylight of the attic. Comfortably seated, in a safe place away from danger, she felt they were being watched, but there was nothing, just a cat appearing out of nowhere. Convinced that she could pet it without it moving too much, she twisted her body to the opposite side, facing the city whose skyscrapers and blocks were present, illuminated by street lamps scattered among the streets. So tiny and visible from the edge, then they spun, ending upside down. They slid together with an inconceivable skill, probably to touch the edges of the buildings, to move them. Brought back to reality, she clung desperately to a beam, and her black-coffee-colored hair struggled with all its might. The beam she grabbed kept her hanging, and in the meantime, she realized that she was not far from an open window. The one above transmitted that she would come down to Earth for the second time, just wait, let her go. She protested, having no ounce of trust, and then she was asked, some kind of order. Strangely, she gave in and hoped not to be deceived. She grabbed the beam strongly and created enough balance to make contact with the window sill. The small being landed on a chair next to the window, dislocating her left hand. The pain pierced deep into her bones, and she squinted, tears being released, then the skin's surface swelled rapidly. She hurriedly descended from above with the thought of checking if she hadn't hurt herself, and found the room easily. The problem was that the door was closed from the inside, and the key was unmoved, obedient in the lock. Around were shelves filled with books to the brim and a dim light, probably a candle. That meant they had company, and surely they would suffer now if luck smiled on them in the morning. She turned the key gently in the lock, risking attracting attention, but a millimeter away from opening it. The lock didn't let the key open it in time. From behind, the dim light made its way to the door swiftly. Both of them became statues, surprised by a caretaker. Clean apron, a bonnet as white as lime, graying hair tied in a bun, a totally unreal gentle look for them. Her expression changed when she saw the girl who should have been a member and sighed. With suspicions in their throats, they let themselves be led to another room, similar to a bedroom, where the caretaker took care of the injured one. She felt the place, realizing that there was nothing serious, although the cuts worried her. New bandages were tightened where needed, and over the swelling, she placed a layer of potatoes, just temporarily. For now, she couldn't get pills until morning.

-How come you're not like the other caretakers?

-Because I don't believe there's only evil in a person. They don't see anything else.

-It sounds Christian and so true.

-I'm not a Christian, but God surrounds us. I think that's enough, isn't it?

-Only in them, it doesn't seem to be.

-No one can please everyone.

-Still, we can behave humanely.

-If we want, and tell me who wasn't right.

-Two people who claim to be my guardians and this morning's caretaker.

-A friend and the same caretaker.

-I understand, now I want you to go back to your room and think about a bit of goodness.

They nodded, thanking her, although they never imagined that something like this would happen. Ultimately, they believed her word that she meant no harm and offered them peace in their hearts and minds.
© BlairAmy
#time #orphanage #lost #memories #past