The Orphanage

The Orphanage has been at the junction of Crossbands Rd. and Oak St. for as long as anyone can remember. Although it is an old building it still keeps up appearances. It has clean brick with no signs of wear and tear. The windows, although basic, are clean and spotless. It is a place that screams 'no nonsense' and 'order'.

The building is rather large. It has three floors and a large, well-kept front yard and backyard. There is a garage attached to the back of the building, about five cars are housed there. They are used for errands, and the occasional trip into the city.

The Orphanage

This Orphanage has been taking in homeless children for years, possibly decades. The nearby Offenders Neighborhood haved used it throughout the years to get rid of their "useless children." It is seen as a place for those unwanted and useless. It is a place to get rid of the children who failed at passing The Exams. It is a place of shame and banishment. Those that come here have no choice, and those that do can never return.

This Orphanage is a place of torment. A place of hopelessness. A place hated and scorned by The Offenders.

Except for Mark and Zamara.

The Orphanage Days

Being banished to The Orphanage was not fun, initially. It was cold, the lights didn't always work, and there were never enough beds to go around. It seemed that there were was always too much noise. The children were always talking, there was always one baby crying, and the keepers could never seem to keep control.

When Mark first arrived it was a very rough first few days. It took time for the kids to adjust to him, considering that he was a bit older than most of the kids there. But they quickly warmed up to him, and he was a great help to the staff.

He helped take care of the kids, by feeding them, dressing them, and telling them stories. Mark had never felt so happy before. He loved the random questions they would ask. He was awed and sometimes offended at their brave, short-and-to-the-point no sugarcoated questions.

Yes, the orphanage was cold and loud, but here he was wanted, needed, appreciated. The kids enjoyed his company and he enjoyed theirs.

Zamara came a couple weeks later and instantly hated it. Everyone was annoying. The kids asked too many questions, the babies couldn't pull their own weight, and the keepers never seemed to do anything. Until a little girl pried her way into Zamara's heart.

A cute, sweet, but slightly annoying girl came up to her and never stopped asking her questions. She thought Zamara was so pretty and amazing. She thought Zamara was the greatest. Zamara had never felt admiration before and she felt honored.

Being a criminal, genuine admiration was something rare. And it touched Zamara's heart.

This Orphanage was a strange place for Zamara and Mark. It wasn't a place of banishment or shame, but a place of love, joy, and acceptance. It filled the two with feelings they didn't know they were allowed to feel. Mark crafted stories that warmed the air around him, and Zamara was there for the children in everyway a protective older sister would be.

Alternative Names

The Place for Unwanteds

Type

Orphanage

I love that place. I'd go back and relieve those months if I could. I'd tell the children how much I care, and how much they mean to me. I wish I could have told them one more story, before I left.

— Mark

It was a nice place. The kids were kind of nice, I guess. I just wish I hadn't treated them so poorly in the beginning, you know? I mean, they were really sweet kids. They didn't deserve that.

— Zamara