The orphanage was a humble but warm place, a shelter where the children were cared for and treated with love. Though life wasn't easy, they had each other, and that was enough.
Tabs sat near the window, watching the other kids play outside. His hands gripped a small wooden sword, a reminder of the father he barely remembered. He sighed, resting his chin on his knee when a familiar voice called out.
"Tabs! You're sulking again."
He turned to see Joy standing with her hands on her hips. Her auburn hair caught the dim light from the lanterns, and her eyes, though usually bright, still carried a lingering sadness.
"I'm not sulking." Tabs mumbled, looking away. "Just thinking."
"Thinking about what?" Joy pressed, stepping closer.
Tabs hesitated. "Just… about my father. About what I'll do when I grow up."
Joy sat beside him, her expression softening. "You always talk about becoming a soldier, but why? Wouldn't you rather be a merchant or something safer?"
Tabs shook his head. "My father fought to protect people. I want to do the same."
Joy lowered her gaze, silent for a moment. Then, she spoke softly. "My father was a merchant… but he couldn't protect anything."
Tabs clenched his fists. He knew Joy's story all too well. Her family had been attacked by bandits while traveling, and she had been the only survivor. Since then, she had been withdrawn, barely speaking unless necessary. It had taken weeks for her to even talk to him.
"That's why I have to be strong," Tabs said firmly. "So I can protect the people I care about."
Joy looked at him for a long moment before a small smile tugged at her lips. "Then… will you protect me too?"
Tabs blinked in surprise before puffing his chest out. "Of course! You can count on me."
Joy giggled at his confidence. "Alright, then I'll hold you to that."
The scent of warm bread and stew filled the air as the children of the orphanage gathered in the dining hall. Laughter and chatter mixed with the crackling of the fire in the stone hearth, creating a warmth that went beyond the food itself. Though they had no blood ties, in this place, they were family.
The long wooden table was set with steaming bowls of vegetable stew, fresh-baked loaves, and a few treats honey-glazed apples a rare delight that made the younger children squeal with excitement. At the head of the table stood Matron Elise, the caretaker of the orphanage, her gentle smile crinkling the corners of her eyes as she clapped her hands to get everyone's attention.
"Alright, little ones, settle down! Before we eat, let's be thankful for today and for each other."
The children quieted, folding their hands as they looked toward her. Even the most mischievous ones knew better than to disrupt this moment. Tabs, seated beside Joy, stole a glance at her. She seemed lighter than before, the earlier conversation between them still lingering in his mind.
Matron Elise's voice was warm. "We may not have much, but we have a roof over our heads, food on our plates, and hearts that care for one another. That makes us richer than any noble."
The children beamed, nodding enthusiastically. Then, as soon as the short blessing was done, the silence shattered.
"FOOD!" A little boy shouted, earning a chorus of laughter.
Plates clattered, spoons dipped into bowls, and the feast began. Tabs eagerly tore into his bread, dipping it into the thick stew. Across from him, Joy took a delicate bite, humming in approval. The warmth of the food seeped into their bones, driving away the chill of the night.
"Hey, Tabs, bet I can finish my stew before you!" A boy beside him grinned, spooning mouthfuls at lightning speed.
Tabs smirked. "You're on." He dug in, determined not to lose, while Joy rolled her eyes.
"Boys…" she muttered, shaking her head but smiling all the same.
Further down the table, a younger girl giggled as an older boy helped her slice her bread, while another child fed a stray kitten that had snuck in. The room was filled with the sounds of joy, of togetherness of a world untouched by cruelty.
For a moment, it felt like nothing could ever break this peace.
Matron Elise watched over them, her heart swelling with warmth. These children had been through so much, but as long as she could, she would make sure they never felt alone.
The orphanage settled into a peaceful hush as the night deepened. The warm glow of lanterns flickered gently against the wooden walls, casting soft shadows over the children as they prepared for bed. The air carried the scent of freshly washed blankets, mixed with the lingering warmth of the evening meal.
Tabs lay on his cot, staring at the ceiling, his mind still drifting through the conversation he had with Joy earlier. The room was filled with soft murmurs as the children talked amongst themselves, their voices a comforting lullaby against the quiet of the night.
"One day, I'm going to be a knight," a boy on the opposite bed declared with pride. "I'll wear shining armor and protect the kingdom like the heroes in the stories."
Laughter rippled through the room. "You? A knight? You can't even lift a bucket without spilling it!" one of the older girls teased, giggling.
"Hmph! Just you wait, I'll be the strongest!" the boy huffed, crossing his arms.
Joy sat on the edge of her cot, listening to their dreams with a small smile. She turned to Tabs. "What about you? Still planning to be a soldier?"
Tabs nodded without hesitation. "Yeah. A strong one. The kind who never loses."
"No one never loses," another child chimed in, rolling over to face them. "Even the strongest warriors in stories have lost battles before."
Tabs frowned at that, but before he could argue, Joy spoke up. "Winning or losing doesn't matter. What's important is… having something to fight for, right?"
Silence fell for a moment. Then, one of the younger children, a little girl no older than six, whispered softly, "I just want a family."
The room stilled. Some of the children lowered their heads, others shuffled uncomfortably. It was a quiet wish many of them held deep inside but rarely voiced.
Tabs swallowed, his fingers curling around his blanket. "We have a family," he said after a pause. "Right here."
Joy looked at him, her expression unreadable for a moment, before she smiled. "Yeah… we do."
One of the older girls let out a dramatic sigh. "You're all so serious. I just want to be rich! If I had a lot of gold, I'd buy a huge house and eat cakes every day."
Laughter filled the room again, the previous tension dissolving. One by one, the children began to share their dreams some bold, some simple, some no more than whispered hopes.
Tabs carefully stepped down the creaky wooden stairs, his small hands brushing against the railing. The others had already gone to bed, their dreams filled with stories of knights, merchants, and adventure. But something in his chest wouldn't let him sleep.
As he reached the bottom, hushed voices caught his attention. He hesitated near the doorway, peeking into the dimly lit office where the orphanage's owner and manager sat. Their faces were weary, their eyes filled with quiet determination.
"We're running low on funds again." The manager, an elderly man with a kind but worn expression, sighed. "The food stores won't last the month at this rate."
The owner, a woman who had dedicated her life to these children, clenched her fists. "I don't care what it takes. Even if I have to beg in the streets, I won't let the children go hungry."
Tabs' heart clenched. He had never realized the weight these two carried the sacrifices they made. They weren't just caretakers; they were protectors, fighting a silent battle every day to ensure the children had a home.
He swallowed hard, a fire igniting in his chest. "I'll help." He whispered under his breath. "I'll grow strong and protect this place."
But before he could step forward, a sudden crash echoed through the orphanage.
Glass shattered. Wood splintered.
A scream.
Tabs' breath hitched as he whipped around. His hands trembled as his mind raced. What was happening?
The world, just moments ago filled with warmth, now felt suffocatingly cold.
And then
The door burst open.
Dark figures loomed beyond the entrance.
Everything changed in an instant.