Struggles shared by all

Doncaster Orphanage #47

Its the orphanage Lucas belonged to. For as long as he could remember, Lucas had lived within the dormitories of the orphanage. The conjusted wooden bunk beds coupled with the rotten brown floorboards and tattered wall plaster. The distinct smell of raw valatry overwhelmed the halls. The outdoor section of the orphanage consisted of dead grass and chalk drawing on the ground. Kids of all ages could be seen playing amongst themselves throughout the complex. The kids clothes were scattered with holes and stains, and more often then not, most of the children were starving. Although the atmosphere and environment wasn't what concerned Lucas, rather the individuals related to the orphanage.

Keaton was a former roommate of Lucas before he got adopted a few years before. With his charisma and looks, he was adopted by a high middle class family. His adopted father, Daniel Richards, was a tall slim man, with dirty blonde hair reaching to his nose, although his hair was set as a middle part. He had a sword slung across his waist. It had a faint dark greenish snake embellished into the sheath of the blade. He wore formal attire while maintaining a laidback type of style. Although Lucas couldn't see all too well, Keaton's adopted mother was a short woman with curly ginger hair. She wore a velvet dress in contrast to her white inner clothing.

Keaton had the face of a noble and had shiny black hair. and he possessed potential to use status flow at 11 years old, which is abnormal for his age. Flow is the energy used by every living organism in the planet. It's what makes someone breathe, think, and conceive ideas. Flow is the base energy used by everyone, from plants to elves to humans. 

Although flow begins as a base energy, as someone reaches the required age, they awaken their status flow. Status flow is the unique attribute that every human possessed, and its what can determine what someone can be in their life. Fire, water, earth, wind, darkness, light, and matter control. Attributes like fire, water, earth, wind, are considered basic status flow. Attributes like light and darkness are considered rare status flow. Finally matter control is considered as maximum status flow.

People who possess rare status flows are set to have great lives, while those who have maximum status flows are considered to be " Destined for greatness " Although only a select few people can awaken their competence. Competence is an ability unique to the user, and is determined by the experiences and hardships the user went through during their life. 

Status flow begins showing up as early as 10, but typically children would awaken their status flow at 13 or 14, so that made him shine even more. Even though Keaton had been adopted for while now, he would often visit the orphanage with his spare time. He used what power he had to harass and abuse the younger children. Albeit He spends most of his time messing with Lucas.

" Please don't be here today, I'm too tired to deal with your bullshit. " thought Lucas as he entered the orphanage

The orphanage's wide entrance led to a walkway towards the main hall, a large brick building alongside a surrounding garden, or what's left of a garden. Minor cracks could be seen throughout the foundation of the building. The squalid windows were joined together by a poor seal job. A young child could be seen running up to Lucas. The child was suprisingly healthy and had a bright smile. Her gleaming brown eyes highlighted his short, maroon colored hair.

" Lucas did you wander off again? " asked the child

" And why should I tell you Ymir? " Lucas responded 

" What do you think? It's because I want to now. "  Ymir pouted

" Maybe shake some of that sas off and I might tell you " said Lucas as he walked off

Ymir had a good heart, unlike some of the orphans. She was optimistic regardless of the conditions of the orphanage. Like Mr. Langley, Lucas had created a somewhat brother-sister like bond with Ymir. He would often teach Ymir about the life outside the orphanage. She would listen intently and always thank Lucas about the lessons.

" Wait you promised me you were going to take me out today! " Ymir yelled

" Fuck, I forgot! I was too worried about Lionel and I forgot my promise " Lucas thought

" Okay okay, I swear on my name that I will take you with me tommorow. " Lucas uttered

" You better... " said Ymir as she stomped off

Lucas sighed as he drew closer to the main hall, He could hear the distant murmurs coming from within it. The main hall was for parents alike to come and find children to adopt.

" Isn't he a bit too mischievous? I wouldn't want to deal with a child that wanders off on their own this often. " murmured on the voices

" I must agree as well. He may be a bit more intelligent than the others, but if he's this impulsive then that makes the situation different. " said another voice

Lucas stood in front of the door, listening half-heartly to the conversation.

" Ugh, another family must be passing on me again. " Lucas sighed

For Lucas, this rejection was a common occurrence. Due to his adventures outside the orphanage, it left bad impressions on the parents looking to adopt him. 

The door creaked open as a middle aged couple strutted out of the hall.

" Please come again soon! I'm sure someone else will interest you! " shouted the director

Lucas braced for the eruption from the director. The director was a chubby, elderly man obsessed with money. The city would give an incentive for directors of orphanages to push parents adopt the children in the orphanages. They advertise it as " Not leaving any child left out! ", and if the director reaches his quota, he receives a bonus.

" LUCAS! How many times do I have to tell you, stop leaving! " yelled the director

" I just lost a valuable customer because of you! If you had just stayed, you could've been adopted and finally left here. but NO! You just have to wander now do you? " the director hollered

Lucas stood in silence receiving the scolding from the director

"Go! No dinner for you today. Tsk! " the director erupted

" Understood " muttered Lucas

Lucas as walked to the door leading towards the dormitories, he couldn't help but feel frustrated about the outcome. He couldn't wrap his head around why parents are so concerned about him wandering off.

" Why do they care so much anyway? It's not like I'm running away, " Lucas thought

Lucas opened the old wooden door to go to the dormitories. It lead to the yard where kids would play with each other. Kids could be seen sitting at the benches talking amongst themsleves. Amongst the children, a group of children were surrounding a younger boy. The boy was at best 8 years old, and wasn't in the best of conditions. Bruises scattered across his body, and he was stripped of his clothes. Within the group, Lucas saw him, Keaton.

" God damn it! Why is he here? It's 10 pm! " Lucas shuddered to himself

It had been a few weeks since he saw Keaton. The last time he was here, Keaton and his gang knicked his body all around, leaving marks and bruise on his body.

" Y'know what? Maybe if he doesn't seem me nothing will happen. " Lucas thought

As Lucas proceeded through the hallway he couldn't help but steal glances at the poor boy. He was on the ground cowering in fear. Judging by his demeanor, Lucas guessed that the boy was new to the orphanage.

" Come on! You can't be tired yet, we just started! " laughed one of the boys

" Yea! We haven't even fed you the can of worms yet and squirming like a cry baby. " Snickered another boy

" Hey enough " grumbled Keaton

a faint light could be seen from coming from his hand, it was fire.

" No way! He awakened his status flow this early? " Lucas thought in shock

The faint flame was a vibrant, brilliant orange. The flame itself was the size of his finger, and didn't possess any mutations. Although being able to utilize status flow at their age is quite the achievement.

" He must be enrolled in a magic academy. This is what he must've been practicing all this time. " grumbled Lucas

Keaton's hand twirled around the young boy's face in a taunting manner. He possessed a devilish grin on his face, looking as if he found prey to feast upon. The boy on the ground was bawling and covering his face

" Hey hey! don't cry, I haven't even put the flame on your face on your face. " chuckled Keaton

Lucas couldn't help but feel pity for the boy as he watched from afar.

" I apologize young one, I must leave on my own, if I intervene, he'll just do worse things to me..." said Lucas as he mentally bowed in respect

Lucas began to walk forward in silence to honor the trial the young child was facing

" Hmm, what should we do, feed him the can of worms, or play with a little bit fire. " remarked Keaton

" What do you think Lucas " Keaton said abruptly as he shifted around to face Lucas

" Shit, I was here too long! " thought Lucas

" Well what do you think, my bestest of friend? " said Keaton in a mockingly manner

" I don't know, I'm sure you can decide amongst yourselves. " Lucas blurted out

" If you'll excuse I'll be on my wa-" Lucas said before getting cut off

" I don't think so " Keaton proclaimed

Keaton's gang surrounded Lucas. The group of boys grinned from ear to ear, seeing that they found their main target. Keaton pushed Lucas to cold stone flooring. The sudden push left Lucas a bit startled.

" Why can't I ever get used to this? " thought Lucas

A flame erupted from Keaton's hand, compared to the previous flame that he used early, the flame was a mix of yellow and orange, and the size was as large as his palm.

"Damn, to think he could produce an even bigger flame. " Lucas thought as he shuddered at the intense heat of the flame.

" It's been so long! Why were you avoiding me? were you nervous? No need to be nervous Lucas..." said Keaton mischievously

As the flame drew near, Lucas shut hit eyeslids and prepared for the worst.

" Keaton Richards what on earth are you doing. " shouted the head maid

Within an instant, Keaton withdrew his flame and wrapped his arms around my shoulder as if he was playing with me. 

" If you even utter a single word I'll make sure you won't see daylight tommorow. " Keaton whispered into my left ear

The head maid began to draw near. She was a strong woman with a prominent voice to suit her physique. She was someone everyone respected within the orphanage. She managed all the gritty work in the orphanage and often played with the younger children in her spare time.

" Do you take me for an idiot Keaton? Come over here. " said the head maid as she grabbed Keaton by the ear and began to take him away

" Ow, ow, ow! Please stop I was only playing with hi- " Keaton proclaimed as he was cut off by the head maid

" I'm not stupid, I saw that flame, You should be thankful that I'm only kicking you out, If this was anywhere else your parents would have had to pay a hefty fine " the head maid exclaimed

" And what are you hooligans standing here for, scram! " said the head maid

Immediately, the gang dispersed into all different directions leaving Lucas sitting on the cold floor. Whilst the head maid was leaving with Keaton, he could see Keaton glaring viciously while mouthing something to him. As they disappeared into the hall, little Ymir popped out the hall with her bubbly attitude

" Now you owe me double the time outside Lucas. " Ymir said cheekily

" Yea, yea now help me get up. " said Lucas unenthusiasticly

While Lucas was getting up, he quickly looked around for the young boy that was getting bullied but couldn't find him.

" Glad he got away at least. " thought Lucas

As he turned around he was met the same little boy he was searching for. For a small instant, He got scared and jumped.

" You got scared mister! Haha! " laughed the boy

" No I just didn't see you " said Lucas as if he wasn't shocked

" Well whatever it was, thank you, without you, they would've kept hurting me! " said the boy brightly

 "Yea that was definite intentional... Yes." thought Lucas

" Dont mention it, glad your fine. What's your name? " replied Lucas

"Tyler!  Hope you'll help me get adjusted " said the boy excitedly

" Great! Now I have to deal with 2 over energized kids. " said Lucas sarcastically

Ymir punched him in the shoulder and said

" You act like your not a kid too "

" Your right, now lets go back to the dorms " muttered Lucas

Lucas got up and strolled with the younger children toward the dormitory after a long and difficult day, as tommorow was going to be another extremely evently day.