At the orphanage.
Logan stumbled through the gates of the orphanage, his body and clothes wet from the rain. Still suppressing the groans from the agonising pain, Logan dragged his feet towards his room.
He had turned several heads on his way to the orphanage, but the scowl on his face deterred anyone from asking useless questions. He did not have time for concerns that amounted to nothing but 'You'll be fine.'
Logan had learned from a very young age that people only cared when you were useful. It was a truth that shaped who he was.
Walking through the hallway, Logan heard the distant conversations and laughter coming from the common room. He did not bother making a presence, but simply limped towards his room.
Besides, he was an adult and had to find his own place. The only reason he still lived there was because of his awakening. The plan had been to awaken and then attend an academy for those who wished to progress their strength and abilities.
But with how things had turned out, he needed a new plan.
"Logan? Is that you?"
Hearing his name, Logan looked over his shoulder but quickly turned back. He was not in the mood for conversations.
"Wait, Logan! What happened to your face? And why are you wet and limping?"
"Leave me alone!" Logan shot back, annoyed.
Daniella was way too nosy and clingy, always hanging around him like some damn fly. The unmistakable sound of hurried footsteps echoed across the hallway, making Logan groan.
"Wait!"
Ignoring her pleas, Logan took a turn and arrived before the room he shared with a few others. Most had already left, leaving just a few teenagers. Luckily for him, no one was inside.
Logan shut the door and went to the shared wardrobe to pack the few clothes he owned. As for Daniella, she could only wait outside, barred from entering the boy's section.
Pulling out a small backpack, Logan took out his clothes and shoved them into the bag, muffling a groan as he did so. Within a minute to two, he was done.
But then the sound of the door swinging open echoed, the creaking sound leaving him infuriated.
"Damn it, Daniella! Leave me alone!"
Logan cursed, not bothering to look at her. He roughly pulled at the zip, closing the bag before standing up with a painful groan.
"You look awful." Logan stiffened when he heard the deep voice of the director, Mr Desmond Page. "Want to talk about it?"
Slowly turning around, Logan met the curious gaze of the director. The director's gaze swept over his body and then to the bag behind Logan. Then, his gaze returned to Logan, waiting for a reply.
The director was a man in his late forties. He was of average height and build, with a balding head. There was nothing remarkable about his looks, but that was a matter of perspective.
"M-Mr. Page, what are you doing here?"
The director raised a brow at his question. "Do I need your permission to come in here, boy?"
"You know that's not what I meant." Logan gritted his teeth and lowered his head. "We already agreed that I'll leave soon after my awakening."
"We did have such an agreement. But I don't recall including showing up half beaten to death as part of that agreement. Why don't you tell me what happened?"
As one of the few people Logan respected, he owed him more than an explanation. But he was reluctant. What good would it do to share his woes with someone who could not help? Still, he had to say something.
"I-I got into another fight with a few schoolmates of mine," Logan replied, meeting the director's inquisitive gaze.
"That doesn't look like your typical fights." Mr Page shook his head, approached one of the beds and sat. "Come on, sit down."
Logan did not immediately sit. He lowered his gaze to his dripping clothes and then to the director. Realising what he meant, the director flashed a small smile and pointed to the wooden chair to the side.
Once seated, the director said, "I might not have been there, but the others told me what happened. Logan, very few people understand your nature as I do. And I know for a fact that you have more than a few… rough schoolmates."
Logan gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, "Mr Page, please get to the point. As you can see, I'm in a bit of a hurry."
"In this rain?"
The director glanced at the window, where the downpour raged on. He turned back to Logan and let out a small sigh. "Logan, I know you have a hard time making friends or trusting others, but not everyone is as you imagine them to be.
"At the very least, your mates here at the orphanage don't need a reason to want to be your friend. You've kept them at arm's length for so long. And despite your faults, someone still worries about you."
Logan understood the director's meaning. He was talking about Daniella. Logan had initially thought the director would admonish him. After all, several complaints from the school had reached the director's desk over the years.
Also, Logan was not an idiot. He was very much aware of Daniella's feelings. He just could not bring himself to accept them; he was not ready for the headache. As such, he deemed it wise to keep the girl at arm's length.
"You may be leaving for whatever's sake, but don't burn all your bridges." The director continued. "Do you know she came running into my office with tears beading her eyes?"
Logan gritted his teeth but did not reply, unable to look the director in the eyes. Regardless, he knew what must be done. Daniella might feel a certain way for him, but he did not share those feelings. The least he could do was make her understand his perspective.
"You've always been a smart boy, Logan. Man up and do what needs to be done." The director said, getting to his feet. "And try to get yourself cleaned up before you leave. You're a real mess."
He reached for the door but then stopped, "Also, stay the night. We're not in a hurry to kick you out."