Chapter 28

"A householder near the Hyiren river found the corpse of an unknown girl floating along the river. The corpse looked like it was stabbed a couple of times and was thrown by intention. The corpse's face looked so distorted that not even the computers scanning can recognize her face…" And the news broadcaster went on and on.

I smiled inwardly, proud of my own masterpiece whilst Cody and Coraline looked at me as if I have 3 heads.

Cody and Coraline stayed by my house to have a sleepover since both of their parents were going overseas. So now I need to take care of them.

We were planning on watching a movie until we passed by the news.

Great news, in fact.

"So where exactly did you and Hinata do it?" Cody asked, then realized his own errors when Coraline smacked his back head. "Oh my gosh, I am so sorry, I didn't mean it like that-"

I laughed. "Don't worry about it. It was technically on the wall next to the television." I pointed out where the crime scene was.

Coraline mouthed an o and Cody looked at that place.

"I laid my head there before…" Cody mumbled and I burst out into laughter.

"Hey, have you guys got any news from Chloe?" I asked all of a sudden. Remembering that kid's presence in this world.

Cody looked at Coraline and she shook her head. "Then no, we haven't."

"How about we check on her? I think it has been a week of so." I stated. And both of them agreed.

We took a walk since Hope Orphanage was near my house.

"So how are things going with Jace, Monikka?" Cody asked out of the blue.

I flinched at his name. "Actually, I don't think anything is new. We've been a lot distanced lately. Not that I don't want to. He has a lot of work." I shrugged.

"Works?" Cody asked.

"Yeah, I never really asked what it was since he looked like he didn't want to talk about it." I explained.

Cody looked at Coraline and she sighed.

Honestly, I am kinda weirded out by it too. I don't know any of his backgrounds or relatives. Coraline signed.

"Not even a single piece of data?" Cody asked.

Coraline shook her head.

We made it to Hope Orphanage and got in. We saw the Orphanage and greeted her.

"Oh my goodness, it's you guys!" The Orphanage Lady greeted us back. "Here for Chloe?"

"Yeah, Mon mon bought chicken nuggets." Cody said and I held up a plastic bag of food.

"Ahh, well you see…"

~~

"So this is the house?" Cody asked Coraline and she nodded her head.

"I can't believe Chloe got adopted before we even know it." Cody sighed.

I stayed quiet.

Chloe got adopted a week ago. Apparently there was a couple that can't give birth because they have problems. They were money making people who loved children so much but can't have them the normal way.

I wonder how she has been living under a new roof.

I stood at the front door and ringed the bell.

Once the door was opened, a lady stood at the doorway and smiled at us.

"Oh hello there! Do you kids need anything?" The lady asked.

I stayed quiet and thankfully Cody understood my aura and spoke up.

"Uhh, we were one of Chloe's friends. We just got the news that she was adopted. So we came here to check on her. If you don't mind, of course." Cody asked.

"Who is it, dear?" A man came to the doorway and took a glance at us.

"Oh? There are some kids who happened to be Chloe's friend. How about we let them in and let them see Chloe?" The lady smiled at the man.

The man agreed and let us in.

We were greeted by a nice modern house with a big space. As the lady asked if we would like some tea.

"Yes, please. Thank you." Cody said politely.

"So how long have you been friends with Chloe?" The man asked.

"3 months." I stated.

"That's long. Perhaps you guys are the ones Chloe always drew." The man said.

I looked at the man in confusion.

"Chloe likes to draw, not to mention she is very smart. It's hard taking in an autistic child. But we didn't say we didn't enjoy it. She isn't that type of person who wants that much but is obsessed with specific things. So we spoiled her as much as we could so she could accept us as her family." The man explained.

"Did she?" I asked shortly.

"I don't know. Her expressions and actions are hard to read. So we would try to understand her at some point. But at this time, we still can't. Maybe you guys could talk to her." The man asked. "It would be very nice if you would ask her so. Not that we forced her to accept us."

Then we heard small footsteps coming downstairs. Chloe walked to us but didn't stare at our face. She held her drawing book tightly and came straight towards me.

Chloe stared down to the floor and just stood there. I stayed at my place, looking at her, not moving an inch. Until she dropped her drawing book and hugged my lags.

I flinched in shock and let her do her thing.

~~

I sat beside Chloe in her room and accompanied her as she drew.

We have been staying in silence for 5 minutes as she doodles some random cute stuff.

"Are you comfortable with your new home? They didn't bother you in any kind of way, did they? If they did I will-"

Chloe smiled.

"I'm… okay." Chloe said in such a low voice. I looked at her in shock. She still didn't look at my eyes.

"I love it here. They give me so much love unlike my previous ones." Chloe said. I listened in shock. Chloe's voice is so smooth.

"So I have nothing to worry about?" I asked, feeling my heart warmed as she smiled.

She shook her head. "I have never really shown it to them but I think they know I am comfortable here."

I just nodded my head.

"Thanks for visiting me." She mumbled out.

I smiled and nodded. "I'll be going now."

She bid me goodbye as I left her room.

These days I have such a weak heart. I made too many friends this past month.

I shook my head whether to feel disappointed by it or happy about it but it definitely changed my life.

I just hope it doesn't change who I am into a weaker version.

I walked down the stairs and both Cody and Coraline stood up.

"Everything good?" Cody asked.

"There was nothing to worry about." I smiled. I looked at the couple. "Thank you for taking care of her, uhh."

The man smiled. "My name is Juan, and this is my wife, Lily."

"Thank you once again for willing to take care of her. I could tell she loves it here." I smiled.

"We're glad." Lily said.

"We'll be taking our leave now. Thank you for inviting us."

"The pleasure is all ours. Have a safe trip!" The couple bid us goodbyes.

After a few minutes of walking to my apartment, Cody spoke up.

"So nothing to be worried about?" I shook my head.

"If she is happy, then I am."

A/N: I AM SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SORRY FOR NOT PUBLISHING THIS PAST 2 MONTHS IT IS JUST THAT I AM BUSIER ON MY HOLIDAYS THAN MY SCHOOL DAYS I HOPE THIS COULD MAKE IT UP TO YOU T_T