Chapter 5: CH. 5 | Leaving Orphanage

Michelle cleared her throat, then turned her head toward Sister Anna, "He’s right. I’m sure they won’t stop until Theo’s gone."

"What is wrong with them? Can’t we report this to the baron, tell him what they’re doing?!" Maya complained, looking at Sister Anna.

Theo looked over at the older woman. He stayed quiet for a moment after hearing Maya’s complaint and Michelle’s words, then started speaking up to share his own opinion.

"Sister Michelle’s right, Maya. Even though they’re just regular villagers, they work for the richest businessman in the village. I’m worried our complaint won’t even get heard," Anna added.

Maya’s eyes went wide with shock, "But then, that means Theo—"

"It’s not like you to worry about me," Theo said, "Are you in love with me or something?"

"You?!"

"In a situation like this, you still have the nerve to say something that stupid!" Maya complained, jabbing a finger at Theo.

Theo let out a small laugh, then tried to push himself upright, leaning on Michelle beside him. He was still wincing in pain, but he tried to push through it. Whatever pain he had to take would be worth it if it kept everyone at the orphanage safe.

"Sister Anna."

"I’ve decided I’m still going to leave," Theo said.

"No, Theo! You don’t even have a class, you won’t survive a single day out there," Maya said firmly, clearly against it.

The young man shifted his gaze to the side, smiling at Maya, "If I don’t leave, the whole orphanage will be at risk."

"I can’t be selfish about this!"

Michelle raised her hand and gave Theo’s shoulder a light pat. He turned to look at her, and she was smiling for no clear reason.

"Theo’s right, Maya. It’s a hard decision, but we have to accept it," Michelle added, stepping forward toward Sister Anna, "I’m going with him too."

"You don’t have to, Sister Michelle. I’m sure I can manage on my—"

"No, you can’t," Michelle said, cutting him off, "You don’t even know how to hold a sword."

"And you do?" Theo asked.

Michelle smiled and answered with a short nod. Hearing Theo and Michelle’s decision, Sister Anna made a difficult choice of her own. She agreed to let them go.

"This is a hard decision, but I can’t hold either of you back if you want to leave."

"That said, I won’t be able to prepare much for your trip. I hope you understand," Sister Anna said.

"That’s fine. We’ll figure it out together," Michelle answered.

"No! I’ll never agree to this!" Maya shouted.

Theo watched Maya run off, away from the orphanage, and a few of the sisters spotted her and chased after her to calm her down. Sister Anna let out a soft sigh, then looked over at Theo.

"Take good care of yourself, Theo."

The young man cleared his throat and nodded, "Thank you, Sister Anna."

Michelle told Theo to head inside, get ready, and pack his things. Theo agreed, walking unsteadily back to his room to pack his clothes and belongings.

Once everything was packed, Theo walked back out. He froze when he saw several of the younger kids blocking his path, all of them gathered right in front of him.

"Where are you going, Theo?"

"Come on, you guys... I’m going to be a great mage someday, I’m heading out to start exploring the whole world," Theo said.

"So you’re really leaving?" one of them asked. Theo went quiet for a moment before nodding.

Without warning, they all crowded around and hugged him. Their hug was warm and comforting, full of sadness, but it hurt too.

Every so often he winced, holding in the pain as they pressed against his bruised stomach. Theo gently pulled them apart, smiling as he ruffled their hair.

"No crying, all right? Someday, we’re definitely going to see each other again," Theo said, "And when that happens, you’ll see me as the greatest mage in the whole world."

"You all should be proud, you know!"

One of the kids nodded with a smile, "Of course. I know you’re going to become the greatest mage in the whole world someday."

The orphanage door opened, and Michelle turned to tell Theo to hurry it up. Theo agreed, walking past the kids while waving goodbye.

The children stepped outside to see Theo off. Theo and Michelle said their goodbyes to Sister Anna.

"Stay safe on the road. I hope things go well for you, Theo," Sister Anna said.

"Thank you for everything, Sister Anna."

"Good luck, Theo!"

"Don’t forget about us, okay!"

"Promise you’ll become the greatest mage in the world, Theo!"

The young man turned back and listened to all of it. The kids stood in the front yard, waving as they watched Theo go. He gave a short nod, waving back to say his goodbyes.

He and Michelle started walking away from the orphanage, heading off in another direction. The farther they went, the more the orphanage faded from view behind them.

"Where are we headed?" Theo asked, curious.

"Aluric City. I have a friend there, we can start our new life in that place," Michelle answered.

"Sister Michelle?"

"I’m not a sister anymore. Just call me by my name."

"All right," Theo said, "Why do you even want to come with me? Don’t the kids at the orphanage need you more than I do?"

"I’m doing this because I want to," Michelle answered.

The woman glanced sideways at Theo, "Why? You don’t like the idea?"

"It’s not that... it just feels strange to me."

"I’m the one who caused all this trouble, but here I am dragging you into my mess," Theo added.

"You really are a troublemaker, Theo," Michelle replied.

Up ahead, there was a small wooden shelter, the kind usually used for waiting on horse drawn carriages heading to Aluric City. But at that spot, Theo saw Maya sitting alone on a wooden bench.

"Maya?" Theo said, startled.

Theo’s steps came to a stop as Maya turned to look at him. She raised a hand and wiped at her eyes. She looked at Theo, then walked closer.

Theo noticed something different about the way Maya carried herself. Her hands were clenched tight, and that was enough to worry him.

"No... please don’t hit me—"

To his surprise, Maya didn’t hit him at all. No new pain hit his body. He opened his eyes and saw Maya... hugging him instead.

"I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have stirred up all that trouble earlier," Maya said.

She’s hugging me? Since when does she have a soft side like this?

What am I supposed to do?

Theo turned to Michelle for advice. The woman gave a faint smile, then made a gesture with her arms as if wrapping them around something in front of her. Right, she was telling Theo to hug Maya back.

I hope she doesn’t get mad at me for hugging her back.

He wrapped his arms around Maya’s back, and to his surprise the hug deepened, warm and comforting. He felt his clothes growing damp, especially near his chest.

That was a simple enough sign that she might be crying, and that she didn’t want Theo to see that vulnerable side of her.

"There was no other way. Besides, I’m the man here, it’s only right that I protect you, isn’t it?"

"If I’d beaten them, I’d be the one leaving today. I wouldn’t have minded, since I’m heading to the Freyjorn Academy anyway."

"But I can’t just accept you leaving, not in the state you’re in, not with everything going on right now!" Maya said firmly.

I have no idea what I’m supposed to do.

Michelle walked closer to Maya, resting a hand on the girl’s shoulder, and Theo slowly managed to slip out of the hug. Maya raised her hand again, wiping the tears from her cheeks.

"I’ll look after him. I’m sure the two of you will meet again someday," Michelle answered.

"I hope so," Maya answered, looking at Michelle, "Please take good care of him, Sister Michelle. He’s a stupid, careless, perverted guy, and every bad habit that comes with that."

"Excuse me?!" Theo complained.

"Of course, I’ll take very good care of him," Michelle said, pulling Maya into a hug.

Great. First she says something sweet to me, and now she’s trashing my reputation.

From the direction of the village, Theo heard the sound of a horse drawn carriage approaching the shelter. It was the passenger carriage that would take them from Talon Village to Aluric City.

Michelle saw the carriage too, and let go of Maya, helping wipe away the last of the girl’s tears, "We need to get going."

"Okay."

The carriage came to a stop. Theo and Michelle climbed aboard while Maya stayed standing at the shelter. The carriage started moving again, and Theo sat down right beside Michelle.

"She’s a good girl," Michelle said.

"More like rough, if you ask me," Theo answered, "Wait... what is that smell?"

Theo turned and sniffed out where the smell was coming from, and to his dismay it turned out to be a damp stain on his clothes, left behind from Maya crying against him.

"HAHA!"

"What the—"

The young man pulled out a handkerchief and wiped at the snot smeared on his clothes, "... and gross too. Does she actually hate me or something?"