Const Orphanage 9

This crumpled piece of paper was written in pencil, the handwriting neat and clearly Blair's own work.

Children's Survival Guide (Nighttime)

Dear kids of the Orphanage, did you know? Many magical things happen at night! But, there are also some things to be careful about. Let's take a look together!

1. Be good and lie in bed at night!

Don't wander around, beware of the "ghost" under the bed! Actually, there's nothing under the bed, but it's so dark you can't see anything, so it's safest to just stay in bed and sleep!

2. Be mindful of the time at night!

Remember to go to sleep on time after 9 PM. After nine, time seems to stand still, and you might feel like time is moving very slowly. If you don't want to just lie in bed, you can count sheep or listen to stories, then gradually fall asleep.

3. The third floor, the basement, and the expansion?

It's said that an ancient spirit lives in these places. It's very mysterious and doesn't like to be disturbed. So, don't go adventuring in these places! Otherwise, something bad might happen!

4. What's there to see outside the window?

Outside the window lies another world, filled with terrifying and astonishing things. So, don't look outside at night, beware of those eyes watching you!

We hope everyone can spend a happy and joyful night at the Orphanage! If you encounter anything strange, be sure to tell the staff!

"Is this your rule?" Elvira raised the crumpled paper, looking incredulously at Blair, and asked, "Did you really follow it?"

"I told you, I'm not a little piggy, I can't be scared by this," Blair responded emotionlessly, gripping the doll tightly in her hand.

"So why did you say Francesca is still at the Orphanage?" Elvira squatted down, staring at Blair's expression, he said.

Blair didn't respond, her head bowed in recollection.

Tick-tock—

The old wall clock's hour hand moved one notch. It was nine o'clock.

It's nine o'clock, time for bed. In the darkness, silence reigned, and even breathing sounds from the opposite bed could be heard.

"Did you really sneak the doll out?" A little girl with purple eyes huddled in her bed, a mix of nervousness and excitement in her voice.

"Uh-huh," Blair uttered, "The rules say we have to prove we're children to make those things leave us alone."

"Francesca, don't be afraid, we can escape," Blair pondered for a moment before turning over to pat Francesca on the head, who was in the opposite bed.

"Do you think, a doll really can?" Francesca turned over, propping her chin with her hands, looking at Blair.

"We could just wait to be adopted by guests," Francesca said, shaking her head dreamily, imagining the wonderful life after being adopted.

"Then, you can ask the guests to adopt me too, so we won't be separated!" Francesca's eyes sparkled with excitement, hugging her pillow and humming a song softly.

Blair hesitated, then whispered, lowering his head, "Isn't the outside world just a bigger Orphanage?"

Francesca didn't catch what Blair said, moving her ear closer to Blair's mouth, "What did you say?"

Blair didn't answer; instead, she suddenly gripped Francesca's wrist tightly, murmuring, "Teacher Ginger, it's been a while since she last appeared."

"I hadn't even noticed, how strange. Why didn't I care?" Francesca blinked, squinting as she pondered.

"It's been several days, maybe. She might have gone out for something," Francesca twirled her brown hair, "Maybe she went to buy our favorite chocolate."

Blair rolled her eyes, "You little glutton. You didn't drink the milk tonight, did you?"

"Of course not! I listened to you!" Francesca puffed her cheeks, patting Blair's hand, "It's so strange, every time I drink milk at night, I get so sleepy. If I don't, I don't feel tired at all."

"Francesca, I want to go to the window," Blair stared at the window in the room, whispering in Francesca's ear.

Francesca's eyes widened, holding onto her wrist, she whispered back urgently, "Don't go, it's too dangerous! Please."

Blair remained silent, just looking at Francesca.

Francesca, unable to refuse, reluctantly sat up and said, "For the last time!"

A rare smile appeared on Blair's face.

Francesca carefully stood up, tiptoed to the door, and pressed her ear against the crack, listening intently to any sounds outside.

Blair walked to the bedroom window, tiptoeing to peek out. From there, she could see the grove behind the Orphanage, a scene enveloped in night.

The night seemed like a black river bursting forth from a depthless cavern, pure and sticky. The woods, a shade lighter than the night, layered atop the hill.

There, a white figure flickered, as if burying something.

What could it possibly be burying?

Blair strained on her toes, eyes wide, but the shadowy night veiled the scene in mystery.

Suddenly, Francesca gently tapped on the wall, "Thud———thud—thud—thud———."

This was their agreed-upon signal: the creature was near!

Both of them hurriedly ran to the bed, covered themselves with blankets, and lay in silence, relaxing their bodies in the darkness, breathing steadily.

Outside, there were heavy breaths and the sound of juices splattering.

Drip, drip.

That night, Blair's last memory was of the dripping sounds. Then, a heavy drowsiness overcame her, and she fell asleep.

It was her biggest regret.

She should have fought the sleepiness, woken up Francesca, and told her that she was her best friend.

The next day, Blair woke up enveloped in an unprecedented sense of panic. What had happened?

She quickly got up to wake Francesca.

Francesca was gone! Where could she have gone?

Blair asked all the Care Workers and the person in charge, who unanimously and loudly replied to Blair.

"She was adopted, just this morning."

Blair looked coldly at those adults.

The world of adults is full of assumptions, indifferent as long as their own safety isn't jeopardized.