Friends

After a while, Claudine began to accept her fate. It seemed that this was the path her life was meant to take.

While at the orphanage, she and the other girls had ambitious dreams of being adopted by caring parents who would cherish her as if she were their own.

Reflecting on this now, she couldn't help but find a hint of irony in those aspirations. It was time for Claudine to toughen up; after all, she wasn't a child anymore.

"How silly," she would say to herself.

Given the chance, she would reunite with some of the girls from the orphanage and reveal that life beyond its walls was far more challenging than it appeared.

At the orphanage home, she ate at least twice, but now, she struggled to eat and couldn't sleep well because her room was not conducive.

Determined to break free from the weight of regrets, she immersed herself in action, starting with the cluttered room.

With Arielle peacefully asleep and Mrs. Zaynader engrossed in household tasks, she grabbed some cleaning tools from the main house and returned to the outhouse.

On her knees, she tirelessly scrubbed the floor until her knuckles throbbed, meticulously gathering and disposing of the accumulated dirt.

The grim reality of the room's squalor became apparent, explaining the rat infestation. Methodically, she cleared the clinging cobwebs from the ceiling and walls.

After investing about two hours of relentless effort into transforming the messy room, fatigue weighed heavily on her, and returning the borrowed implements became a daunting task.

Despite her weary state, she pushed herself out of the outhouse to return them.

She returned within seconds, collapsing onto the bed, basking in the satisfaction of her accomplishments, proud of the transformation she had achieved in that once-neglected space.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the quiet hum of evening enveloped her surroundings.

A low growl echoed from her stomach, and she instinctively clutched at the emptiness within.

"Oh, not again," she muttered.

The meagre breakfast of bread had long lost its battle against hunger, leaving her no prospects for more food. Her stomach protested once more, prompting her to lie down.

Back in the orphanage, faced with pre-dinner hunger, she would escape into slumber, a tactic to fast-forward to mealtime.

However, her nap was short-lived. Upon awakening, the evening she had deepened its embrace. Swinging her legs off the bed, a delightful surprise greeted her—Lumos, curled up by her side.

Overwhelmed with joy, she lifted the cat, cradling it close to her chest.

"Lumos, you're back," she exclaimed, receiving a contented purr in response.

A surge of positivity washed over her, prompting a spontaneous idea. "How about a little stroll?" she suggested, her enthusiasm visible.

Though the prospect of venturing beyond the familiar walls was new and slightly daring, the ungated surroundings offered a chance to sneak out.

The promise of lush greenery behind the house sparked excitement, making her eager for an adventure in the forest.

***

It was surprisingly easy slipping out of the house, Lumos silently accompanying Claudine at every step. She could hear Ariella and her mom arguing about something, with Ariella's voice being the loudest of them both.

The heated exchange between Mrs. Zaynader and Ariella faded into the distance as she ventured further into the forest.

The thick canopy of the trees cast thick shadows, and the sounds of nature surrounded her—owls hooting, leaves rustling with the movement of nocturnal creatures.

A wispy cloud drifted across the moon, momentarily dimming its glow obscuring the path ahead.

Then, with a graceful sweep, the cloud continued its journey, unveiling the radiant moon in all its glory.

The night seemed to hold its breath as the moon shone even brighter, casting a luminous glow that painted the forest below in silver hues.

The beauty of the woods beneath the radiant glow of the moonlight momentarily eased Claudine's hunger.

Claudine's excitement for an adventurous night welled within her. She began to skip and sing a tune from her childhood, the melody resonating in the serene forest.

Suddenly, a shadow passed by, jolting her with fear. Realizing she had wandered deep into the woods, panic set in.

Turning around, she was faced with an unfamiliar path. She couldn't recall which way she had come, nor was she sure which way she should go.

"Hello?" she called out, her voice echoing. Lumos remained by her side. Spotting the shadow again, she pressed forward until she reached a clearing with a solitary rock.

Fresh footprints marked the ground, leading towards the solitary rock.

Discarded wrappers and a doused campfire nearby suggested someone had been there recently, leaving unmistakable evidence of their presence.

"Anybody here?" she inquired, greeted only by the forest's silence. Disheartened, she sank onto the rock, tears streaming down her face.

Thoughts of the consequences at home overwhelmed her. Lumos, ever comforting, curled at her feet.

"What are you doing?" demanded a voice.

Claudine raised her head to find a slender girl in a cottony gown standing before her, holding a basket of flowers and herbs in her arms.

The girl's face wore a puzzled expression. She had a charming beauty, and Claudine couldn't shake the sense of familiarity. However, this didn't ease her trepidation.

"I... I'm sorry. Is this yours?" Claudine stammered.

"Nothing here belongs to anyone," the girl replied calmly.

Claudine strained her eidetic memory, determined to recall where she had previously seen the girl. Recognition dawned on Claudine—this was the girl from her dreams or someone strikingly similar.

Stumbling over her words, Claudine attempted an explanation.

"Wait. I know you. I saw you once in my––"

"Saw me where, little girl?" the girl interrupted, a hint of amusement in her tone.

Claudine descended gracefully from the rock, and defiantly, she snapped, "I am not little."

"Sure about that? Little girls wander into the woods and get lost," the girl teased.

"I'm not lost," Claudine retorted, bristling.

Amusement danced in the girl's eyes. " You're not lost? But I found you crying. Who are you anyway?"

"I'm Claudine," she responded.

"Ezrianna, pleased to make your acquaintance."

"Thank you," Claudine nodded appreciatively.

"Claudine, it's not safe out here at this hour," Ezrianna remarked, glancing around.

Claudine raised an eyebrow. "You are one to talk. What are you doing out here yourself?"

"I live here, and I'm one with nature," Ezrianna explained.

Claudine chuckled.

"Well then, it's a good thing that I found you." Ezrianna laughed in response.

"Trusting a stranger can be risky," she warned.

Claudine smirked. "My instincts are pretty sharp."

Ezrianna arched an eyebrow. "And what do those instincts tell you about me?"

Claudine shrugged. "They're not screaming 'danger,' so I'm willing to trust. Unless, of course, you plan to surprise me. And if you do, please make it quick."

"No surprises here. Claudine, you better get going before your mother begins to look for you. You don't want to break her heart,"

Ezrianna advised with mock pity, a smirk playing on her lips. Claudine, initially miffed, sobered at the mention of the word mom.

Mrs. Zaynader could care less of her whereabouts, and she was not a mother to her, in her opinion.

"A mother, wish I had one," Claudine mumbled, settling back onto the rock. Ezrianna joined her, offering silent support with her slender arms and the basket of flowers by her feet.

"What happened?" Ezrianna looked genuinely curious and concerned, so Claudine decided to open up.

"I am adopted, and only recently," she confessed, her voice almost a whisper.

"You don't sound like things have been going right,"

Ezrianna observed. Claudine shook her head, struggling to hold back tears. Ezrianna heard her sniffle and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Things haven't been going right."

"Come on, Claudine. It's fine."

"I hate it here. I hate it here," Claudine admitted, tears streaming down her face.

Ezrianna pulled her into a warm embrace, rocking her gently. The stranger's compassion brought comfort, a stark contrast to the coldness of her foster family.

"Come on, now. It's fine," Ezrianna reassured her.

Claudine sat up, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. She met Ezrianna's gaze, and the mysterious girl offered a warm smile.

"I'm pretty sure you're hungry," Ezrianna said.

"You can't imagine."

Ezrianna uncovered a disposable plate at the bottom of her flower basket, presenting Claudine with two sandwiches.

Grateful, Claudine devoured the food while Ezrianna watched with satisfaction. Lumos returned, and Ezrianna playfully picked him up, admiring his beauty.

"Your cat is beautiful," she remarked.

"Thanks."

After finishing her meal, Claudine and Ezrianna continued talking, sharing stories about Claudine's time at the orphanage. As the night deepened, Ezrianna decided to guide Claudine back.

Claiming knowledge of every path and shortcut, she led the way. When they reached the point of parting, Claudine hugged Ezrianna in gratitude.

"Thank you, Ezrianna," she expressed.

Ezrianna patted her back affectionately, a silent understanding lingering between them in the moonlit woods.