(Nico Bellari Narrating)
"It wasn't always like this.."
Everything changed that night.
On the outskirts of the city, where most of the noise doesn't reach, there was an orphanage, Starlight Orphanage. Looking back at it, it was quite a hopeful name compared to what it brought for my life. Starlight was the home for both me and my sister "Elena"
Young Nico: "Where are our parents?"
I was 7 years old. We were abandoned when I was 2 years old, and my sister at 7 years old.
Elena: (pauses, then puts her hand on his head and kneels in front of him) "They... they couldn't stay with us."
She was 12 at the time. She had to take care of me at such a young age and never made me feel like I was a burden.
Young Nico: "Why not? Did we do something wrong?"
Elena: (shakes her head, gently brushing his hair back) "No, it wasn't our fault. Sometimes, people just... can't stay. But that doesn't mean they didn't love us."
Young Nico: "Do you think they'll come back?"
Elena: (smiles sadly) "I don't know. But no matter what, we have each other, right?"
Young Nico: (smiles in response) "Yeah, we do!"
The orphanage was always teeming with children, yet I've always felt like an outsider. Despite being surrounded by many people, I always found myself drawn to the shadows of the hallways, the quiet corners of the playground. My only solace was my sister,
Elena was kind, nurturing, and my anchor in this world of uncertainty. She would spread her kindness wherever she can, someone I really look up to. She had a big bright smile that could infect anyone, and whenver she smiles a dimple pops up. She was pretty too, I would sometimes hear the boys in my orphanage whispering about how pretty she is, it made me quite proud of the fact. She was amazing, and she was all I had.
I turned 10, and although she was older than me by a few years, in a way, she felt more like a mother than a sibling, because of that I started wondering what would happen if she's not around.
Young Nico: (sitting by the window) "Elena, what if something happens one day? Like... what if you're not around?"
Elena: (smiles softly) "You're too young to be thinking about things like that."
"But Nico, I'm not going anywhere."
Young Nico: "But what if you do? I mean... sometimes, it feels like everything could fall apart, like nothing stays the same."
Elena: (approaches Nico by the window side, places a hand on his head) "Listen to me. If you ever need help, I'm always here. Okay? No matter what happens, you can always come to me."
Young Nico: "But what if–"
Elena: (interrupting gently) "No 'what ifs'. You'll never be alone, Nico. Even if things get tough, even if I'm not right next to you, I'll still be with you. In your heart, in your memories. You'll always have me."
Young Nico: (looking down) "I don't want to lose you."
You wouldn't expect a 10 year old boy saying something heavy like that, but at the time I was already thinking of such stuff because of the fear of being abandoned like our parents did to us. Deep down, I knew she wouldn't abandon me but..
Elena: (pulling him to a hug) "You won't. I promise."
She always had such a reassuring tone to her words and actions. When everything else felt distant and off, she was always there, her voice soft and reassuring. I'd ask her things that I didn't understand about the world, she'd always listen and respond. I'd nod. Because even if I didn't understand the world, I knew I had Elena. She really was the kindest person I knew–the only kind person in my life. She always tried to show me that the world wasn't as cruel as it seemed, even if I didn't believe her most of the time.
After finishing elementary school, I turned 13. I started going to high school, but things didn't change much except for things my sister did for me. Every morning, I rode my bike to school–the one Elena got for me for my graduation.
Every day, the same faces and voices. The people there were nice enough, but there was always something off. Though it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, it was a bit uncomfortable nonetheless.
Maybe it was me.
I never fit in like the others did. They had homes, families, stories about their weekends with friends. I had Starlight, Elena, and the silence that followed me everywhere. Even when people smiled, I could feel the distance between us. It was like I was in a bubble, watching them live lives I'd never have. Maybe it really was me. They didn't mean to make me feel like an outsider, I think, but that didn't stop the feeling from growing.
I always anticipated the end of every school day because I'd get to go home and see my sister. I'd talk to her about my day, and she'd always listen. No matter how small my problems or how short my day were, she made them seem like they mattered.
"You don't have to worry about them," she'd say to me while wearing her usual warm smile. "What they think about you doesn't define you. You're stronger than that, aren't you?"
That's right. She always believed in me, even if I myself didn't.
"You're going to be okay, you know that?"
She always knew what to say.
"Sometimes things aren't as bad as they seem. And even when they are..." she'd smile, "we'd find a way to make them okay."
She was good at that–making things feel okay, even when they weren't. She didn't need to fix everything. She just needed to be there, and suddenly, things felt lighter.
I felt bad. I wanted to be kind like her. I wanted to give her the same warmth she always makes me feel. But at the same time, I'm really glad to have a sister like her.
As she'd always say, everything was going to be okay.
But the silence reached the confines of our room. It followed me, like a snake slithering towards its prey, and then came that night.
The night that altered my pitiful life into a damned one.
It started to sprinkle with rain that day as I made my way back to Starlight from school. The light started fading, preparing for the night. I had just finished my tasks for a failing subject–which my sister did not know of–so I arrived later than usual.
I got kinda nervous. Maybe because I knew my sister would be worried about me not coming home in time, or maybe it was just the rain that's making me feel this way.
But nevertheless, I figured it was just going to be another rainy day.
I arrived at Starlight pretty late because of the frustrating traffic due to an accident, or so I heard. I wanted to walk home, but my sister's voice in my head keeps telling me it's dangerous.
It was strange. The orphanage was quiet, quieter than normal. Most of the kids were already asleep in their respective rooms, but I could hear some of the older ones talking quietly down the hall.
I didn't think much of it. I just wanted to see Elena.
I prepared myself for whatever excuse I would have to give because I figured, knowing her, she'd stay up waiting for me.
When I opened the door to our room, she was lying on the bed, her back turned to me. She wasn't up nor did she move when I came in.
That wasn't like her. But she's probably tired.
"Elena," I whispered, walking over to her as I put down my bag. "I'm back."
Nothing.
I approached closer and on the way noticed that the window in our room was open and cracked. Huh? That's... weird...
I leaned in and touched her shoulder hoping to wake her up, but her skin felt cold. My heart sank, but I told myself, again, that maybe she was just tired. Maybe she had a long day.
"Elena," Louder this time, shaking her gently, "Wake up. Im–"
Wait.
"What?"
That's when I realized it. The wetness on my hand. I pulled back, stumbling down, staring at my fingers, confused.
Blood.
My vision blurred as my mind raced, trying to make sense of what I was seeing. "Elena...?" I pleaded, as I tried to stand back up.
No. No, please. This couldn't be real. This had to be some kind of nightmare.
But it wasn't.
I shook her again, harder this time, desperately trying to wake her up. Maybe this was all just a prank that my sister is playing...but, no.
She was gone.
The police came. I think somebody heard my scream that evening, I can't remember. People asked questions, but it was all a blur. It was suffocating. They questioned everyone–me, the other kids, the staff. But nothing made sense anymore...
After the brutal incident, authorities concluded it was a criminal invasion, but the intruder was never caught.
One of the orphanage employees took Nico into her care. At just 13 years old, Nico had witnessed his sister's lifeless body, a trauma no child should endure. Jane, the woman caring for him, stayed by his side, offering comfort. She tried to ease his grief by keeping him engaged, playing with him to distract him from the overwhelming pain...
[3 weeks later]
As time passed, Nico stood up and stepped out of his room to get ready for school. Though still weighed down by sadness, he remembered his sister's words: she had promised him that staying strong in her absence would make her happy. Those words touched his heart, igniting a small spark of hope that helped Nico see the world a little more clearly....
[School Corridor]
Nico walked through the corridors as other students whispered behind his back, rumors quickly spreading.
"Hey, look at him. I heard he killed his sister."
"What? That's terrifying!"
[Nico Narrating]
Every step I took felt like sinking deeper and deeper beneath the ocean's surface. I could hear voices, but they were muffled, as if I were underwater, far from anyone who could truly see or understand me....
Five years have passed. I endured and stayed strong, just as Elena told me to. I couldn't fully accept her death, but Sister Jane always said it was for the best—that holding onto hatred would only stain my happiness, and Elena wouldn't want me to mourn for her forever.
I managed to stay strong until now, but I still don't know where I'm heading. It feels like walking through a forest at night with no destination, lost in an unending sadness I can barely stand. That is, until...
[PRESENT]
It was the weekend, and Nico decided to spend his evening at park, a serene escape in the heart of the bustling city. As a photography enthusiast, Nico often came here to capture the tranquil beauty of the stream, the reflections of city lights, and the soft hum of life unfolding around him. It was one of the few activities that gave him genuine joy.
Strolling through the park, Nico noticed a vendor selling his favorite snack—a quick-pizza. He approached and placed an order. As the vendor prepared his food, Nico overheard two friends standing nearby, laughing heartily. Their easy camaraderie made him glance down at the ground, a pang of longing tightening his chest. It must be nice to have someone to share moments like these, he thought wistfully.
The vendor's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Here you go," the man said, holding out the freshly made pizza. Nico gave a small smile and muttered, "Thanks," before taking it.
He wandered over to a small bridge arching across the stream, isolating himself from the crowd. With his camera in hand, he surveyed the landscape, searching for the perfect angle. Muttering softly to himself, he adjusted the settings on his camera.
"Okay, lower the ISO for less noise in the night shots. Shutter speed... slower to let more light in, but not too slow. Need to keep the reflections sharp."
He crouched slightly, angling the lens to include the faint glow of the streetlights and the trees framing the stream. "A wider aperture should blur the background just enough... there, perfect."
He clicked the shutter and studied the photo on his camera screen. The composition was beautiful—crisp city lights reflected on the water, a peaceful balance between urban life and nature. But his eyes lingered on the small groups of people captured in the shot. Friends laughing, couples holding hands, families enjoying the evening together. Everyone had someone. Everyone except him. His chest tightened as loneliness crept in, settling like a shadow over his heart.
Pushing the thought aside, he descended to the lower level of the park, finding a quiet spot near the stream. As he sat down, he noticed an older man nearby—a beggar, frail and pale, barely able to stay upright. The man's sunken eyes hinted at desperation, and Nico hesitated for a moment before pulling out his last slice of pizza.
"Here," Nico said softly, holding it out. The beggar looked at him in disbelief before taking it with trembling hands. "Thank you," the man murmured before eagerly biting into the food.
Nico watched silently, a faint smile tugging at his lips as the man ate. He felt an unfamiliar warmth bloom in his chest—small, yet enough to momentarily lift the weight of his solitude. The beggar finished the slice and reached out to clasp Nico's hand, his eyes brimming with gratitude.
"Thank you," the man repeated, his voice earnest and trembling.
Nico's cheeks flushed, and he stumbled over his words. "Y-you're welcome," he mumbled awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck. For a moment, the man's gratitude and the simple connection they shared filled the emptiness Nico had felt all evening.
Nico sat back, gazing at the stream illuminated by the soft glow of city lights. Perhaps, in small acts of kindness like this, he could find his own sense of belonging.
After spending hours at the park, Nico finally made his way back to the Starlight Home Orphanage, where he had grown up. The familiar creak of the gate greeted him as he entered the grounds, the dim porch light casting a warm glow against the cold night.
Sister Jane, the head caretaker, was waiting by the entrance, her arms crossed and a worried look etched on her face. "Nico, where have you been? It's so late. I was worried sick!" she said, her voice a mix of concern and mild scolding.
Nico offered a small, sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm sorry, Sister. I just... wanted to enjoy the evening. Took some photos at park. I lost track of time."
Her stern expression softened as she let out a sigh. "You know we care about you, Nico. Just let us know next time, alright?"
"I will, Sister. Promise," he said gently, his husky voice sincere. "I just needed some time to clear my head."
Satisfied with his answer, Sister Jane nodded. "Alright then. Go on and rest. You must be tired."
Nico gave a slight nod before heading to his room. The familiar space greeted him—a small but cozy sanctuary filled with little mementos of his life. A camera perched neatly on his desk, some old photographs pinned to the wall, and a few books stacked haphazardly on a shelf.
He sat on the edge of his bed, the events of the day replaying in his mind. Pulling out his camera, he scrolled through the photos he had taken—of the glowing stream, the city lights, and the kind stranger's gratitude etched into his memory. Despite the loneliness that had crept in earlier, the day didn't feel entirely empty. There was a strange sense of fulfillment in the small kindness he'd shared.
Placing the camera gently on his bedside table, Nico lay back and stared at the ceiling. For now, he decided, that was enough. With a small sigh, he closed his eyes, letting the stillness of the night lull him to sleep.
"And then, the next thing I saw was that I was in the middle of a desert."
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-EPISODE 7: END-