Chapter 4: Childhood Memories

Night fell, and Irene returned to her apartment. It was a one - bedroom apartment on the outskirts of the town. The furnishings in the room were simple and old - fashioned. She sat wearily on the sofa and turned on a table lamp. The dim yellow light cast her lonely shadow on the wall.

Her mind was constantly filled with the day's case and the yellowed photo. Suddenly, a sharp headache hit her. She hugged her head in pain as some childhood memories came flooding back like a tide.

She remembered the days in the orphanage when she was a child. The walls there always gave off a smell of rust, damp and cold. She also remembered playing with a little boy. They chased and played in the orphanage yard, and their laughter echoed throughout the yard. The little boy had a pair of bright eyes, with determination and courage in his gaze. They would share the donuts they stole from the cafeteria together, and the sweet taste still lingered in her memory.

However, these memories were only fragments, and she couldn't piece them together completely. She tried hard to recall the appearance of the little boy, but only a vague outline remained in her mind. She tried to hold onto those fading memories but found herself as if trapped in a thick fog. The more she struggled, the more confused she became.

Irene stood up and walked to the window, looking at the pitch - black night sky outside. Her heart was filled with anticipation and unease. She knew that the orphanage might be the key to finding the truth. There must be something there that could unlock the mystery of her memories. She took a deep breath, turned around, picked up her coat, and decided to go to the orphanage early the next morning.