This time was different however. Tomas had never seen the orphanage's staff so frantic. From what he’d overheard this wasn’t a normal placement, and was considered to be an emergency of some kind. He knew he was supposed to keep out of the way, but he couldn’t help it. He was so curious as to what was going on.
He poked his head from around the corner, catching the local social worker, a man they knew as Mr. Raiden, walked in, two boys following behind him. The one looked a little on the elder side to be in an orphanage. Probably about 16 or 17, close to ageing out. The other however looked very young, if Tomas had to guess he was probably 7 or 8. That was odd in itself, the orphanage tended towards new acceptants around 10-13. Tomas himself had been 11 when he got here, and now was 14.
Maybe the younger one is older than he looks? The pair also looked very similar so it wasn’t too wild to assume they were brothers. And it did feel like it would be incredibly cruel to split brothers up. The younger was clinging tightly to the elders arm, and even from a distance, Tomas could see the way he trembled.
“Thank you for taking them on such short notice,” Raiden spoke towards Hydro, one of the higher ups of the Orphanage. Also the nicest of anyone who worked there, if you asked Tomas. “I realise it has probably put a lot of strain on you.”
“No. Don’t worry, it's okay.” Hydro looked towards the two boys. “Hello, Bi-Han,” he said to the elder boy, before looking to the younger who hid his face in his brother’s arm. “And you must be Kuai Liang.” Hydro looked behind him, where two other staff members stood. “Could you help them get settled in their room?”
“Of course.”
The boys reluctantly followed after the two staff members, leaving both of the adults in the entrance. They were clearly waiting until the boys were out of earshot to keep talking. He knew it made him seem nosy, but he was so curious, especially with the whole emergency thing.
“So, when you said the situation was bad, how bad are we talking?” Hydro asked, clearly not having the full picture himself yet.
“I don’t know too many details,” Raiden admitted, crossing his arms over his chest. “Police were called to the apartment by concerned neighbours. The Father’s corpse was found in the kitchen. The children have no other living family.” Raiden looked extremely uncomfortable for a second, shifting on the spot. “Bi-Han was staying at a friend’s, but Kuai Liang was at home. The police think he may have information that’ll aid their investigation but it’s been determined he’s in too much shock to talk right now. They’ll probably be in touch in a week or so, to give him time to settle down.”
“Damn, poor kid.” Hydro shook his head, rubbing his hand over his mouth. “What about their belongings? They didn’t seem to have much with them.”
“From what I understand, there was very little that actually belonged to the boys. Only a few changes of clothes.”
“What? No toys?” Hydro asked, tilting his head. “I mean, I know Bi-Han’s a little too old for that, but Kuai Liang-”
“Had nothing,” Raiden interrupted, shaking his head. “I really do not wish to speculate what their lives were like before this happened.” He reached forward, placing a hand on Hydro’s shoulder. “If either of them say anything that sounds like it might explain things, especially Kuai Liang, please contact me so I can pass it along to the police.”
“Of course.”
From that point on, the conversation just turned to boring adult stuff that Tomas didn’t care for. He retreated around the corner, thinking about what he’d just heard. Raiden had been vague, yet Tomas still was able to read between the lines and figure out what happened. Their father was murdered, and Kuai Liang witnessed it.
But even on top of that, it seemed so weird. They had barely any clothes and no toys. Why the hell did they not have toys? Tomas’ Mama was never that rich, but he still remembered him and Tamara having things to play with. Sure, he lost most of those toys in the fire, but he’d still had them.
He remembered when he first came here, and Hydro gave him a small white teddy bear to keep him company.
He suddenly got an idea. Rushing through the room, he made his way to the stairs, darting up them and walking to his room. He scurried over to his bed, the teddy in question sat innocently on top of his pillow. Grabbing it, he made his way back out.
When he got into the corridor, he saw Hydro talking to the two staff who’d taken Bi-Han and Kuai Liang to their room. He reached Hydro as he dismissed the staff.
“Hello Tomas, can I help you?” Hydro asked with an eyebrow raised.
“Um. I was just hoping to give something to Kuai Liang.” He clutched the teddy in his hand, feeling nervous by the smile Hydro was giving him.
“Now, how exactly did you know one of the new kids' names is Kuai Liang?” Hydro chuckled as Tomas' mouth flapped open and closed trying to figure out an explanation without admitting he’d listened in.
“I’m sorry,” he burst out, realising he couldn’t lie his way out of this. “I overheard you talking with Mr. Raiden, and I heard that Kuai Liang didn’t have any toys, so I wanted to give him something to make him feel less scared about being here.”
He still remembered Hydro giving him this bear, and how much comfort it had brought to him in the scariest time of his life. He wanted to do the same for Kuai Liang.
Hydro’s expression softened. “That is very thoughtful of you.” He gestured for Tomas to follow him.
Hydro knocked on the door, before stepping inside and Tomas followed him. In the room, Bi-Han was standing to the side of the bed, while Kuai Liang sat on the edge. They both looked at them with an air of suspicion.
“Hey there. Bi-Han, Kuai Liang,” Hydro started, before putting a hand on Tomas’ back. “This is Tomas, he has something he wants to give to Kuai Liang.”
Tomas felt himself lose his balance as Hydro pushed him forward. He continued walking up to the brothers, trying to not be intimidated by Bi-Han’s glare. Kuai Liang however, looked absolutely terrified of him and like he was about to burst into tears.
“Hi,” he gently said, turning his back to Bi-Han to face Kuai Liang fully instead. He held up the bear, watching as Kuai Liang’s eyes looked at it in wonder. “This is Snowdrop, she’s a bear I was asked to take care of when I first got here. But, I’m getting too old to look after her now, and I need to find someone else who can.” He held Snowdrop out to Kuai Liang, who looked like he wanted to take her, but wasn’t sure. “Do you think you can look after her for me?”
Kuai Liang blinked, reaching a shaking hand forward to touch Snowdrop’s fur. Tomas couldn’t help but notice cuts and bruises all over his knuckles. Despite that, he gently stroked the bear, feeling how soft her fur was.
“So, what do you say?” Tomas gently prompted again.
“I can take care of her,” Kuai Liang replied in a quiet and shaking voice. Finally he took her in both hands pulling her close to his chest and hugging her tightly. He looked at Tomas with a shy smile and said “thank you.”
When Tomas stood back up, he was surprised to see that Bi-Han’s face had actually softened slightly. It seemed being kind to his brother was a good way to lower his guard.
“Hey, Tomas,” Hydro said to get his attention. “How about you take Kuai Liang for a tour of the orphanage, while I have a quick chat with Bi-Han?” Hydro’s eyes landed on Kuai Liang. “What do you say, Kuai Liang?”
“Okay,” Kuai Liang agreed, pushing himself off the bed. Tomas was a little surprised when Kuai Liang’s tiny hand went to hold his own. He didn’t mind however, especially when he could feel the tremor in them, as well as being able to feel the scabs on his knuckles.
“C’mon, I’ll show you all the coolest spots,” Tomas said, gently pulling Kuai’s hand to get him to follow him. Kuai Liang did, holding Snowdrop to his body like his life depended on it.
As they left the room, and began walking down the corridor, he felt Kuai Liang tug on his hand a little.
“Mr. Tomas,” Kuai Liang began, voice still so low in volume that Tomas might not have heard him if he hadn’t been listening. “Will you be my friend?”
“Of course I will,” Tomas told him with a big smile. “I’ll be your best friend forever.”
“Really?” Kuai Liang’s eyes went wide and watery. Like he’d never had a best friend before.
“Really really!” He gave a grin. “And to show you I mean it, I’ll teach you where the adults keep the really good cookies!”
Kuai Liang gasped, and for the first time since he got here, he seemed genuinely happy. He joyfully skipped along, holding Tomas’ with one hand and Snowdrop with the other, giggling all the way.
Tomas didn’t know what Kuai Liang had really been through, but he was determined to make sure the kid would at least have a happy life here.
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