That was going to be a difficult task. How was she going to escort more than fifty children through an active warzone crawling with strigoi? It wasn’t a walk in the park. Getting all of  them to follow her was hard enough, getting every one of them safely through the city would be nearly impossible. They would be a big target for any soldiers wandering about. A walking child buffet. 

Maybe we could just hold out here? No, that would be more dangerous. How do I walk these many kids through a city under siege? Alright, first I have to worry about making sure each one is safe. Maybe I could work something out somehow. I need to keep them safe, I need to protect them. 

“I’m going to get you all out of here, okay? I promise. First you have to help me find everyone else. Check all the storage closets, the ovens and cupboards. Maybe there are some hiding under service tables and counters. No one’s going to be left behind, alright?”

“Yes, Miss Late...” Heather said, slowly walking out of the freezer, heading towards one of the counters. 

Latevia nodded at her and turned to the rest of the children. “All of you spread out and search wherever you can. I’m just going to take care of something for a bit.”

With that, she headed back into the freezer and went over to the top shelf. Her eyes darted to the box at the furthest corner and reached for it. She pulled it toward her and peered inside. She let out a relieved sigh. There were still two bottles in the box. She took one out, and examined the red liquid inside. Blood. She had lost too much in the fight and needed to drink to heal faster. 

She glanced at the freezer door, making sure none of the children were nearby or peering in. Then, she popped open the bottle and placed the edge to her lips. She drank slowly, as if making sure she got every drop of it. As soon she gulped down the first mouthful her eyes fluttered closed. She finished the entire bottle and let out a sigh, opening her eyes. She turned back to the freezer door and was startled to see Heather there watching her with a nervous look. 

Latevia quickly placed the bottle back into the box and wiped her mouth. 

“W-was that…” Heather swallowed hard, unable to find the words. 

“It’s cow’s blood, honey. Don’t worry. I don’t hurt people.”

“O-oh…” Heather nodded slowly. “W-we found some of the other kids.”

“Good job, Heather. I’ll get back to all of you soon. There’s just something I need to take care of first, okay? I’ll be back soon.”

Heather flinched as Latevia slid the box back into the far corner of the shelf and approached her. Latevia simply gave her a reassuring smile and ruffled the girl’s hair as they exited the freezer. She ushered her back to the rest of the children and went toward the door leading back to the cafeteria proper. 

Her hand froze as she reached for the handle, hesitating for a second. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to see the scene she left again. The bodies of their attackers and her friends. Her heart ached at the thoughts, but she shook her head fighting back the urge to fall to her knees and break down. She had to be strong. There were children she needed to take care of. She couldn’t fold. She had to shield her emotions. Just like Mother Elizabeth taught her. 

Taking a steadying breath, she turned the door knob of the kitchen door. “I’m heading back to the cafeteria,” she said out loud. “Don’t go outside unless I tell you to. Please, and thank you.” 

She then pushed against the door and exited the kitchen, closing the door behind her. Her lips quivered as soon as her eyes took in the scene once again—this time—her mind clear enough to take in every detail. Her hand flew to her mouth and her body shook. She closed her eyes for a second to take another steadying breath, shaking her head. She exhaled slowly as she opened them again. It was horrible for anyone to see.

Sister Agnes and Sister Heathers were on their backs next to each other, sprawled out on the floor, their cold empty eyes left in an expression of fear. Sister Jane had her face on the floor, with a hand left reaching out toward the direction of the kitchen door. Her habit was ripped by claw marks on her back. Sister Elise was leaning against the wall with a bloody neck, head hanging down in silence. Sister Ingrid was lying right beside Mother Elizabeth’s body. She was the closest to her, in life and even in death. 

Not even Mother Elizabeth’s body was left untouched. The table barricade had been thrown out of place and there was a bite on her neck. Sister Ingrid was the same. 

Latevia approached them first, bending down and carrying Sister Ingrid. She gently placed her to the corner of the wall and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. “So long my friend. My sister,” she muttered, her lips quivering. She did the same to Mother Elizabeth, placing her beside Sister Ingrid. She stood up and carried Sister Agnes next, being as careful as she could. She tried not to look into their eyes as she closed their eyelids. Each step heavier than the last as she carried one sister after the other, placing them beside each other on the far corner of the cafeteria. Sister Elise. Sister Jane. Sister Heathers. Then the two brave guards who gave their best to try and hold off the strigoi while she led the children to safety.  

She closed their eyes and lined them up neatly. She put up the table barricade once more, covering their bodies so that the children wouldn’t see. It didn’t erase the blood on the floors and walls, but it would at least shield them from the trauma of seeing the sisters’ tragic fate. 

She then turned her attention to the bodies of the strigoi again. Her sorrow was tempered by the rage that threatened to boil over her once more. She walked over to the bodies of her friends’ murderers. The monsters. The bastards. The strigoi. Her same race.

She hauled each one over her shoulders, two at a time, and carried them outside of the orphanage, throwing the carcasses into the ground outside. She went back and did the same with the other two. Almost tossing them out the door with disdain. She would dispose of them later. For now, however, there were other pressing matters. 

She headed back into the cafeteria, scanning the area once more. It was still the stuff of nightmares, but she did what she could with their current situation. She nodded to herself before heading back inside to the kitchen. She was surprised to see that the kids had found almost everyone by now.

“Miss Late! We almost found everyone!” Heather went up to her with a smile. 

“That’s good! I’ll help you find the others. Let’s get everyone before we leave, mhm?” Latevia replied.

She went with Heather to help look for the others. The rest of the children were looking as well, checking every place they could. There were ten in the storage closet. Three in a kitchen cabinet, and another two in the adjacent one. There were two children hiding in each of the five empty ovens. One under a service table, five in the cleaning cabinet, and five more hiding in some of the storage counters. 

That made fifty-one children in total. They were still missing two more. 

Camilla and Jeremy. She thought. They were probably hiding in one of the kitchen cabinets.

She began opening every counter she could find, checking both the upper and lower ones. Under the sink counters, and food storages. She suddenly paused, her pointed ears twitching. There was a faint thud in one of the counters at the far right corner. She slowly walked toward it, taking a deep breath. Her hands reached out and slowly opened the counter doors, peeking inside.