It’s 6 am and the sun is up. As usual, I am already up and running to help prepare for breakfast and our lunch box. As I fried the last egg, miss Hazel came over the kitchen to check on me.

“Acel, have you finished frying the eggs?” miss Hazel asked.

“This is the last one, miss. Are there more I need to prepare?” I asked her as I flipped the egg one last time.

“That’s enough, sweetie. Thank you. I’ll go wake the kids, so once you’re done, can you wake up director Elle then call for Malou and Catherine?” she kindly asked.

“I understand.” I responded.

She then headed out of the kitchen to wake the children while I placed all the food in the dining table. I then headed out to call for miss Malou and miss Catherine, who were busy doing laundry since dawn, before I went to the director’s room.

“Miss Cathy, miss Malou, breakfast is ready.” I called out to them.

“We’ll be there once we finish hanging all of these, so just wake the director first.” Miss Malou replied without turning her head to me and just continued to move swiftly as she hang the sheets and clothes one after the other.

“Got it.” I answered and directly went to the director’s room.

*Knock* *Knock*

I knocked on the director’s door to see if she was already awake, but since I heard no response, I tried to knock again.

*Knock* *Knock*

And still no response, I assumed she’s still asleep but just to make sure I knocked again for the last time before opening the door, and sure enough, she was still fast asleep.

“Director, please wake up. It’s time for breakfast.” I said as I pulled her curtain to let the sunlight enter the room.

She stirred due in her sleep but still did not wake up. So, with a sigh, I shook her shoulders and she opened her eyes slowly.

“Unn… Acel?” the director mumbled, barely opening her eyes.

“Good morning director, it’s time for breakfast.” I told her and she slowly raised her body up.

“It’s morning already…?” She looked tired.

She sat on the side of her bed first and rubbed her eyes then stretched before looking at me with a warm smile.

“Thanks for always helping out around Acel.” she said and I smiled.

Director Elle always tells me this every morning when she wakes up. And for me, it’s always the sign of a beautiful day starting.

Director Elle is kind and firm, and as an orphan, it’s exactly because of director Elle that I never actually felt I was lacking compared to other children with complete family. If anything, it just felt like the orphanage was my family. Sure, there were times when I wished I would be adopted but that was mostly because I felt jealous of the other children, whom I had to share the toys and the director’s attention with.

I mean, being jealous of other children were inevitable because there were many of us, and most of them were either younger if not the same age as me. And back then, there was only Director Elle to take care of us. And well, doctor Carlyle who comes by from time to time to check up on our health, and that was it.

It was different back then because now, we have employees and volunteers to help around. And to be completely honest, I'm glad I grew up under her care and not under the director Fred – the previous director.

From what I've heard, when the orphanage was still under Fred’s care, abuse, neglect, and child labor was a normal occurrence. Worse, there were even child trafficking, organ harvesting, and more. It was so bad, that when director Elle learned of these, she wasted no time to send the previous director to prison. The abused orphans was sent to other private orphanages that had doctor and psychiatrists to help the children cope and adjust, she decided that it was not good to keep them in the place where they experienced those horrific experiences.

I grimaced as I thought of what happened to the orphans who were under ‘the care’ of the previous director – monster Fred.

Director Elle noticed the scowl on my face and became worried.

“Acel? Is something wrong?” she hesitantly asked and I immediately erased those thought from my head.

“Oh, it’s nothing director. I just thought how glad I am your the director.” I simply said and director Elle tilted her head, wondering what made me say that.

“Anyways director, breakfast is ready. Let’s go.” I urged her.

“Oh, then please grab my coat from the rack.” She smiled gleefully as she pointed to the coat hanged in the coat rack near the door.

I grabbed the long white knitted cardigan and handed it to her. She then wore it and we headed to the kitchen. Upon arriving, some of the children was already seated and was only waiting for everyone else to arrive.

“Good morning mother Elle, good morning sister Acel.” The 8 children who was already sitting in the dining table greeted us.

“Good morning, Belle, Gwen, Jane, Lyn, Nick, Daphny, Joel, and Risa.” I greeted them back.

“Good morning. Are there only 8 of you here? What about the others?” Director Elle greeted them back and asked.

There are 21 people in the orphanage; the 14 orphans, the 4 caretakers, Dr. Carlyle, and the volunteer teacher Catherine, and director Elle.

Every meal time, all 21 of us are to eat together in the dining room. This was the only rule the director strictly enforced. Regardless of how busy any of us are, as long as we stay in the Sweet Children Orphanage, we are to strictly abide by this rule and share a meal with everyone. The only time we are excused from this rule is if we are too sick to move.

Though, she’s the one to most likely to break this rule because of how busy she is. We always had to drag her to the dining room each time.

But I understand why the director is strict about it, because now she is now swamped with paper works, meetings, and other things to support the orphanage, unlike before. This meal time, is the only time when she can be around the children.

The director went to her usual seat and I went to mine, and a couple minutes later, everyone was already at the dining room seated. We did our usual routine and started eating. Just like always, everyone was lively, eating and talking about different topics. And when everyone finished their meals, the children quickly got ready and changed into their school uniforms and headed to their respective schools together.

“We’ll be back later mother, big sisters, big brother Jay, and doctor.” Each of them said as they left.

“Be careful on your way to school.” The director said as she waved them goodbye, I just simply waved at them too.

When they could no longer be seen, the director redirected her gaze to me.

“When will your lectures start today?” She asked.

“My first lecture would start at 1pm today.”

“No part times before then?”

“I do, but there’s still an hour and 27 mins before the shift.”

“Alright, then let’s talk in my office I just want some updates.”

“I understand, director.”  I simply replied.

We then headed to her office. She sat in her swivel chair and I sat down on the sofa.

“So, how has your preparations been?” She asked me.

“I'm all set, my stuff is packed. Thank you for letting me stay for an extended period of time, director.” I thanked her.

“Even though I should have already moved out and lived independently when I turned 18, you still let me stay here because my savings weren’t enough.” I told she just gave me a warm smile.

“What are you talking about? The moment you turned 18, you have been independent, you were only a part-time employee… on that note, are you sure you’re going to quit?” asked the director.

“Yes, I’ll be a 3^rd year college by next year and I need to focus on my thesis project. So, I want to have my own space where I can focus.” I answered.

“I see… alright then, but remember your welcome to come back anytime. The orphanage is always in need of more employees to take care of the children after all.” She passively answered and I gave a small chuckle.

“I understand director. It’s funny how you always tell us about independence every chance you get, but then you always spoil us by making us rely on you.” I told her, but she was quiet.

I looked at her thinking I might have said something wrong, but she was just staring at me.

“Acel, being independent doesn’t mean cutting off all your ties, nor does it mean you should endure everything yourself. Independence means being able to think for yourself and be able to take care of yourself. If you ever feel like your trapped and alone, relying on someone doesn’t mean your incompetent… Do you think, I'm inadequate at raising children because I hired people?” She asked me and I vigorously shook my head no.

“You are very busy, so you have to hire people to raise the children. Otherwise, you’ll die from overwork.” I answered her back in frantic.

“Exactly. As an adult, I need to know my limit and ask for help when I need to.” She calmly told me, and I just stared at her.

‘The director is really amazing. I want to become someone like her; sincere and wise.’ I was occupied with my thought, then suddenly my phone rang.

*Ring* *Ring*

I checked on my phone and saw that the manager from my part-time job was calling. I answered the call and was informed that a coworker had called in sick so he asked me to cover for her. I agreed since I had the free time. I stood up from my seat and bowed deeply to the director.

“The manager has called me in for help, since a coworker called in sick. This might be the last time we can have this kind of conversation so I’d like to state this clearly. Thank you so much for everything, director. Because of you, I never felt I lacked anything. Truly, thank you dire- mother…” I raised my head as I faced her.

“I will start moving my stuff tomorrow, after I get an ample rest tonight.” I told her with the smile. I made sure to tell her that I would rest before I move she wouldn't worry.

I then left the director’s office and went to my work in a hurry. I wore my apron and stationed myself behind the counter and greeted customers as they came in to the shop.

~~~~~ * * * * * ~~~~~ Time Passed ~~~~~ * * * * * ~~~~~

“Okay, that’s it for today’s lecture, it’s already 6pm. The next class is going to use this room now, let’s continue this discussion next week.” Said professor Edmund, as he quickly closed his thick world history books and headed out.

As soon as the professor went out, the students quickly packed their bags and left the room, of course, me included.

I have to leave as soon as possible since I still have another part-time job to do after class. As I headed for the campus gate to leave, I saw one of the children from the orphanage waiting for me outside – as usual.

“Daphny? It’s already dark, you’re here again? You should really stop this, it’s 6pm, it’s dangerous for at night...”

“But..” she gave a small protest.

“Why don’t you ever head home with the others?” I asked her, and she just gripped the bottom of her shirt as she looked down and remained quiet.

“You do realize I’m moving tomorrow. I won’t be able to walk you home after today…” I told her.

Everyday, when her class ends at 4pm, she always comes over to my college campus and wait for me so we can head home together. Honestly, I’m worried what would happens to her when I leave the orphanage since I can kind of understand why she’s doing this.

“But… I feel safest with you…” she slowly spoke as she pouted.

I just looked at her and sighed.

Whenever this kid is involved, anything that can go wrong will go wrong, she’s a kid that invites all sorts of danger. So, when she says she feels safest with me, I can’t even argue.

I'm also always the one to clean up her mess. It is also for that same reason that she avoids going home with the other kids from the orphanage, so they won't get caught up.

It’s not that she does stupid things, in fact she's rather careful... it’s just that those stupid things are attracted to her. Like that certain TV show; M*lo M*rphy’s Law…

‘But I have to leave the orphanage tomorrow. What should I do with her?’ I just stared at her as I thought of how to deal with her. She stared back at me and sheepishly held my hand.

“Can I come with you today? It’s your last day at the orphanage anyway… I want to spend the whole day today with you… And besides, it’s weekend tomorrow so can’t I stay up late just for today?” she insisted and I gave in.

“Alright.” I simply answered.

We walked to my next part-time job, hand-in-hand. My phone rang so I looked at my phone and saw that I received a message from an unknown number.

“Kitty!” I heard Daphny shout and let go of my hand.

“Don’t run too far!” I told her and opened the message to read it.

‘IT’S TIME.’ was the only content from the message.

I tilted my head in confusion. Must be a wrong number, so I ignored the message and closed my phone then look for Daphny. I looked around and saw Daphny playing with a cat near a bush. She noticed me and smiled.

“Who was it, big sister?” she asked.

“It’s just a wrong number, let’s go.” I simply answered and offered my hand to her so we can cross the street.

She carried the cat with one hand and held my hand with the other. The streetlight shone green, signaling us to cross so we did. But before we could reach the other side of the street, the cat in her hand jumped off. Daphny got surprised and looked at the cat, and saw it sitting in the middle of the street.

The street light was still green, and just for safety precaution, Daphny looked left and right to see if there were any vehicle nearby. Seeing there were none, Daphny wanted to make the cat move away from the street so she ran to it, trying to scare it. And just as she crossed the other street, the streetlight changed to red again, signaling not to cross. So, we both waited for the streetlight to change again, both od us in the opposite side of the street. The suddenly, a large truck was driving extremely fast.

And before I think of anything, I was already running in Daphny’s direction trying to push her off the side of the road. Fortunately, I was able to push her, but this time, the truck was driving off the road and towards my direction – where Daphny originally was.

And that was it. I don’t know what happened after that, all I know was I’m in pain all over my body, and that I felt cold. My eyes were dimming and I heard inaudible noises nearby. I was slowly losing consciousness.

With the last of my strength, trying to process with what happened to me, I looked around saw that Daphny was crying and yelling my name next to me. I noticed she had a few grazes on her but other than that, she was overall safe. I was already slowly losing my strength so I knew this was it for me.

I reached out to her and lightly touched her grazes, “Make sure… to get… this treated…” I told her then my vision turned black.

And that was it – or it should have been, but for some reason I was able to open my eyes again. However, all I could see was white. It was just an empty white space and I was completely alone. I stood up and walked around.

“Is this the afterlife? It’s rather… empty.”

“It is empty isn’t it. Oh, but this is not the afterlife!” A cute voice frantically answered.

"Hi there!” it said.