The Orphanage was the size of a mansion. A large sign read: "The Orphanage." The building was white, and the roof was red. There were two floors and multiple windows. It had a garden. It had an elegant front door, and a trail led to a side door.
Hafen was astonished. He questioned how Linda and Stribora managed to afford this.
Pepe grabbed the front door and urged them to enter.
Stark, hesitant, was surprised by the change and improvements in livelihood.
Matteo was ecstatic.
The inside of the house was also renovated. It was very clean and modern. There were stairs and a chandelier. There was a hallway that led to other rooms.
Pepe, standing by the front door, asked them to follow him.
As the trio stepped inside, their eyes widened. There were a bunch of kids, babies, and small monsters running around with toys and games.
Linda was serving delicious looking food that intrigued the trio.
Matteo sniffed and drooled.
Linda turned and noticed them. She was surprised, and she smiled. She muttered that they have grown up.
Linda was a woman with a kind smile. Her hair barely touched her shoulders. It was a combination of green and red. Her eyes were blue, and she had pointy ears. She wore a loose, green dress and a thin red robe.
Stark commented that the place looked like fun.
The kids, babies, and small monsters slowly glanced at the door. They exclaimed that Pepe was back.
The orphans jumped at Pepe and tackled him.
Pepe fell to the ground. He, embarrassed, tried to pry the kids off of him.
Just then, a male toddler kneed him in the stomach.
Pepe screamed in pain as his injuries were not recovered.
Linda told the kids and small monsters to calm down.
The kids and small monsters stopped and noticed the trio.
Hafen stood, still trying to process the drastic change.
A small snake monster slithered towards them. It hissed and introduced itself as Snaky.
Stark was not sure how to react and backed away. He questioned how a snake could talk.
Matteo waved and inspected the snake.
Hafen wondered why they were taking care of monsters.
Pepe reassured them and revealed that they were like a family. He continued that Snaky was born from an abandoned egg. Snaky was an orphan just like the three brothers.
Snaky slithered around the brothers and observed them. He questioned who they were.
Pinned to the ground, Pepe introduced the three brothers to the orphans as their brothers who were adopted by Henry and Adelia.
Suddenly, two toddlers, on top of Pepe, poked their heads out of the pile. One was a male and the other one was a female. With gleam in their eyes, they celebrated that they had more big brothers.
The trio was startled.
Pepe introduced the two toddlers as his real little brother and sister.
The male toddler made a gallant pose and introduced himself as Pepo. He had blue hair and eyes. He wore a light blue shirt and a pair of shorts.
The female toddler made a heroic pose and introduced herself as Pepi. She had red hair and eyes. She wore a red dress.
Matteo commented that he remembered them from when they were babies.
Pepo asserted that they have grown.
Pepi and Pepo offered to play with Stark and Matteo.
Stark and Matteo accepted their offer.
The two toddlers jumped off the pile and dragged the two brothers away. They played for a while.
Meanwhile, Hafen, not accustomed to the new environment, remained lonesome and read a book. He was immersed in a book from the shelves. It was titled: "Ghost Girl."
The story was about a ghost that was once a human girl and had supernatural powers. Her close friends were killed by the gods of the world. She vowed revenge against the gods. The girl had a dark, ominous aura surrounding her. The author was unknown.
Hafen was intrigued by the story ever since Adelia read it to him.
As he was reading, Linda announced that it was time for dinner.
The kids and monsters excitedly cheered and ran to the table.
At the dining room, there was a long table and many chairs. On the table, there was a large plate of rice and a giant bowl of soup.
Stark and Matteo, sitting beside the kids, were drooling and hungry.
Hafen sat across from Stark and Matteo.
During dinner, Linda served rice and soup that she made for the kids while carrying a baby drinking a special liquid.
Everyone was eating and enjoying their food.
Pepe was the first one to finish. He licked his bowl and wanted more.
Linda handed him another bowl.
Matteo finished his soup, and then, he started eating his rice.
Curious, Stark asked Linda what the baby was drinking. She smiled and stated that it was cola.
Matteo exclaimed that it sounded tasty.
Linda replied that she could make some for them. She explained that it was her baby's only desired diet, and she introduced the baby by the name of Joey.
Hafen wondered if she was not feeding it milk.
Linda revealed that the baby was a special case and could not drink anything else. Being told what happened by Pepe, she also commented that it was a shame to see the adopted brothers again.
As Stark took a bite of his food, he remembered the events that transpired the previous night and teared up. He solemnly remarked that he missed them.
Matteo lamented that they now felt alone in the world.
Linda comforted them that she would be there if they needed anything. She continued that the brothers could stay at The Orphanage for the time being.
The brothers accepted her help.
Pepe commented that she looked sick and asked Linda if she was fine.
Surprised by the comment, Linda softly replied that she was fine. On the other hand, she thought to herself that she had not slept well in a while. The last few nights were full of nightmares.
After a while, Pepe stood up and asserted that he was done eating and that he would head out.
Hafen wondered why he was leaving.
Pepe replied that it was a secret.
Snaky claimed that Pepe always left at this hour and never returned until the next day.
Stark questioned where Pepe was going.
Pepe, nervous, stated that he had something important to do. He added that he could not tell them. In the distance, he waved and announced that he would return in the morning.
The three brothers stared at the door.
Later, Hafen read a book in a corner.
Snaky had the courage to approach him.
Hafen asked Snaky what he wanted from him.
Snaky questioned Hafen if he was fine.
Hafen claimed that he was.
A few seconds later, Hafen asked Snaky how Linda accomplished such a feat like The Orphanage.
Snaky stated that Linda started a fun business with the orphans with the funds. He continued that because of the high number of people moving into the forest, the business was profitable. He was confounded when he realized that the book Hafen was reading was an advanced textbook. He questioned Hafen if he knew how to read.
Hafen uttered he learned how to read when he was a baby. He continued that Adelia used to read them stories.
Impressed, Snaky asked if Hafen could teach him.
Hafen obliged and showed Snaky the textbook.
Other orphans were intrigued.
A few minutes later, Hafen was teaching all the orphans how to read.
The orphans were amazed by Hafen's intelligence.
Linda informed that school would be canceled until the funeral for Henry and Adelia.
All the orphans were stunned.
Stark wondered if he had heard correctly.
Linda affirmed that there would be a funeral service for Henry and Adelia.