The news hit like a physical blow in the room.
I felt my heart stop as I watched Cassie's shoulders tense almost imperceptibly, her hands gripping the edge of my bed more tightly. To my right, Reinhardt tried to maintain a relaxed posture, but I noticed the stiffness in his jaw and the speed with which his blue eyes calculated, silently readjusting plans. As always, my friend was already searching for solutions while I processed the impact.
—Next week? —Cassie's voice sounded surprisingly soft, though I detected a slight tremble on her lips—. It's… it's too soon.
I watched Emilia approach; her steps echoed with an unsettling resonance in the bedroom. The whisper of her black dress against the wooden floor sent a shiver down my spine. I hated her more than ever as I saw her move with that smile I so despised, the one that concealed intentions that could only be nefarious for us.
—Oh, dear! —exclaimed Emilia, extending a hand to stroke Cassie's hair. I saw my friend suppress a shudder at that touch—. They were looking for a girl exactly like you.
"Exactly like you." Those words echoed in my mind with a sinister meaning that only the three of us could fully grasp.
—Thank you, Mom. Could I…? —Cassie cleared her throat, and her red eyes briefly met mine—. Could I have a moment more with my friends? To… to process the news.
—Of course, dear —replied Emilia, stepping back toward the door—. But don't take too long, dinner is just around the corner, and everyone needs to eat, especially you, Arceus.
Her gaze settled on me with an intensity that made my instincts scream in alarm. My body, still weakened from recent events, tensed involuntarily under her scrutiny.
—You've had a very tough day.
I kept my expression neutral as she left, hiding the whirlwind of thoughts stirring in my mind. When the door finally closed, the three of us remained in our positions for several seconds, listening intently to the sound of her footsteps fading down the hallway. The air seemed to have solidified between us, heavy with tension and barely contained fear.
Only when the last echo vanished did Reinhardt move quickly to the door, checking that no one was outside. His face, usually serene, showed signs of the inner storm we all shared.
I sat up slowly, savoring the freedom of movement. Standing was a blessing I had always taken for granted. I walked slowly but steadily, stretching my legs. Being bedridden all day didn't suit my body, and every muscle quietly protested its recent inactivity.
—One week —muttered Reinhardt, turning to us. His usual calm had given way to a restrained urgency—. They've given us one week.
I saw Cassie rise from my bed and begin pacing the bedroom. Her crimson hair gleamed like blood under the moonlight filtering through the window, casting dancing shadows on the walls.
—It's not enough time —she whispered, more to herself than to us. I knew what she was thinking. If Cassie wanted to escape with everyone, she had to make many preparations, including convincing the younger ones that the world they lived in was nothing but a fantasy. A cruel illusion designed to keep them docile until the moment of sacrifice.
—Damn it! We were being completely naive! —Reinhardt slammed his fist against the wall while Cassie sat on my bed. Frustration overflowed in every one of his gestures, so unusual for someone as calculated as him.
—Things aren't going well for us —I sighed, disheartened. I felt the weight of our situation crushing my shoulders. It was clear we were still under their control, whether we liked it or not. At this rate, only one fate awaited us: death. A death that many before us had already suffered, turned into commodities by those who called themselves our protectors.
—If we really can't escape… We must defeat the one who calls herself our mother! —exclaimed Reinhardt, furrowing his brow, his grim expression betraying his anger.
—We need more information anyway —Cassie forced a smile as she looked at us. Her optimism, though strained, was refreshing given our situation. I had always admired that quality in her, that ability to find light even in the deepest darkness—. First, we have to find out where those two came from.
She said it, referring to the caretakers of the underground orphanage. Those beings hiding beneath human skins, waiting for the moment to reveal themselves and feed on us.
I nodded. It was a known fact among us that every time a child was taken, a defenseless baby arrived at the orphanage. It was a sinister cycle that repeated endlessly, maintaining the delicate balance of this forgotten place.
—In other words, they return to replenish the orphanage's "supplies" —Reinhardt concluded with a thoughtful look.
—I agree. There must be some place where those beings… are producing or kidnapping their young —I added, though my mind was already considering darker possibilities. Theories I preferred not to share until I was more certain.
None of us truly knew the outside world or what awaited us once we managed to escape. It was a troubling thought that tormented me during long sleepless nights.
—A source that provides humans for consumption, huh…? —Cassie's voice sounded sad as she stared at the floor, lost in her own grim thoughts.
But something didn't add up in that theory. Were they really eating them? I shuddered at the mental image, but my instincts told me there were crucial pieces missing in this puzzle. Something more twisted than simple predation.
—Our biggest clue is that there are other adults besides the caretakers. Maybe there are also several orphanages like this one —Reinhardt mused, his hand on his chin, his blue eyes gleaming with feverish intensity.
—Where are those adults born… to serve these beings? Or where are they kidnapped from human society? —I posed the question, knowing the answer could completely change our understanding of the outside world. A world that, until now, we had only imagined through the books and lies of our captors.
Cassie raised three fingers in our direction, regaining some of her usual composure.
—To summarize our situation in three points —she declared firmly—. One: The adults are the key to understanding the outside world. Two: We have less than a week to escape. Three: We must activate the magic scroll at the right time and place.
Though none of these points seemed the most critical to me, I decided to keep listening before revealing my own conclusions. I had learned over the years that sometimes it was better to observe and analyze before intervening.
—Cassie, what are the parameters for activating the magic scroll? —I asked, trying to focus the conversation on the most urgent matter.
—Let's see… —Cassie thought for a moment, slightly furrowing her brow as she recalled—. The success of the teleportation depends heavily on the caster's knowledge of the destination.
It was exactly what I feared: we would be teleported randomly because Cassie wasn't familiar with any specific place. The thought chilled my blood. We could end up in a place worse than this, if such a thing was possible.
—How is the scroll activated? —I asked again, bringing my left hand to my chin. Reinhardt already knew, so my friend crossed his arms, listening silently.
—Once the scroll is opened, the activated spell within it will emit a bright light —Cassie explained, her eyes shining with an enthusiasm that contrasted with the gravity of our situation.
—Guys, I'm sorry to ruin your plan, but… —I looked at the hopeful faces of my two friends, one by one, as I spoke slowly. I felt the weight of the truth on my shoulders, crushing and cruel. It was time to reveal the truth I had discovered—. In this orphanage… there's an artifact that nullifies teleportation spells.