Tower of Paradise

Chapter 14: Family

POV'S CASSIE

Life in the orphanage was all I knew. Eight years had passed since I arrived here, since my mother left me with the promise of returning in a hundred nights.

Now, at ten years old, those hundred nights had become almost three thousand. But I was strong, I wouldn't break down just because I couldn't see her again.

Why am I thinking about this right now?

I wondered as the familiar sound of the six o'clock bell resonated through the hallways, marking the start of another day.

With a vigorous movement, I threw off my bed sheets while my gaze slid across the long hallways, flanked by twin beds. Since I arrived, the view was too familiar.

—Wake up, kids! Breakfast is ready!

I shouted with joy, raising my arms in the air and watching as my companions began to wake up slowly.

I watched as some children unconsciously lifted their heads, others yawned trying to chase away sleep, and the last ones stretched their arms forcefully to shake off drowsiness.

It was like a disorderly symphony of movements that repeated every morning.

My eyes landed on little Lulu, who was struggling with the buttons of her blouse while sleep still clouded her gaze.

I approached Lulu. She was seven years old, and her two beautiful pigtails fell over her chest while her clumsy little fingers tried unsuccessfully to complete her task.

It's like seeing myself from a few years ago, I reflected as I knelt in front of her.

From the corner of my eye, I caught a blonde flash: it was another of our little demons running as if his life depended on it, with a mischievous smile on his face. Behind him, a black-haired boy raised his arms like a ghost, making strange gestures.

I watched Thomas chasing him with raised hands, making his usual ghost gestures.

—Catch me!

Thomas shouted, his voice mixing with the morning's laughs and yawns.

—No!

Jake responded between laughs, skillfully dodging the beds.

—Stop playing and get ready.

I heard one of the older girls, around eight or nine years old who was in the bed in front of mine, say.

Her serious voice contrasted with the general chaos, while she adjusted her black glasses on her nose.

—Cassie, I don't know how to put on my shoes.

Lulu's trembling voice pulled me from my thoughts.

Before I could respond, two more pairs of tearful eyes joined her plea, small hands holding shoes as if they were incomprehensible treasures.

I declared, opening my mouth threateningly and raising my arms while running after them. Their screams of fake terror mixed with laughter filled the hallway as they fled.

After our little chase, I returned to the dining room with Marcus stuck to my back, his small hand playing to cover my mouth in a game that only we understood.

The dining room, with its three long tables, was the heart of our peculiar family. Reinhardt, my age-mate with reddish-brown hair, pushed the cart with the food pots, while Arceus, a year younger but taller than everyone, carried the milk jar.

—Good morning, Reinhardt, Arceus.

I greeted, maintaining my smile, they were my best friends.

—Good morning, Cassie.

Reinhardt responded with his usual kindness.

—Good morning.

Arceus's greeting came accompanied by a contemptuous look.

Arceus has always been different, I thought while observing him. Taller and more robust than Reinhardt, he was the only one who dedicated himself to exercising regularly, for reasons known only to him.

—You have a lot of energy for not having eaten yet.

Reinhardt observed, his soft smile showing he understood my way of being perfectly.

—Are you five years old?

Arceus's comment was accompanied by a cheeky smile.

I frowned and pouted, knowing I was only confirming his point but unable to avoid it.

—I'm older than you, Arceus.

I protested, though I knew it was useless as I watched him walk away through the dining room.

A melodious laugh beside me made me turn my head.

—You too, mama?

I asked with exasperation, finding Emilia's smile, her blonde hair framing her face while her black uniform blended with the orphanage's darkness.

Mom.

The word came out of my lips naturally, as it always did when I addressed her.

She wasn't my biological mother, the one who had asked me to wait a hundred nights and never returned, but she was the one who had filled that immeasurable void in my heart.

Emilia, who never complained when we were noisy, shameless, bothersome, annoying; who spoke animatedly with us without a single wrinkle of disgust on her face.

If a mother is the one who takes care of you, who feeds you, who worries about you, who gives you love, who warms your little heart without abandoning you... then Emilia is my mother.