Athena dressed in a plain white blouse and faded jeans, choosing comfort over style. She tied her hair in a loose ponytail and grabbed her car keys.
The morning air was brisk, and the roads were unusually quiet as she drove through the quiet streets of Zumera's suburbs.
The farther she traveled from the bustling city center, the more worn-down the surroundings became. Cracked pavements, rusting fences, and abandoned shops lined the streets.
When she finally reached the orphanage, Athena's heart sank. The building looked nothing like the warm and inviting photo she had seen online.
Instead, the structure before her seemed barely capable of standing. The once-white walls were cracked and faded, stained with water marks and patches of mold.
The roof was crooked, with missing shingles leaving dark gaps like broken teeth.
The playground outside was rusted, and the swings creaked faintly in the breeze, hanging lifelessly on frayed chains.
