Hidden Moments
It was past midnight. Lina couldn't sleep, overwhelmed with worry for her little brother.
She kept tossing in bed, thinking: Did he sleep well? Did he eat? Is he crying now, all alone in that faraway place?
She bit her lip in hesitation, but she couldn't bear it any longer.
Slowly, she sat up and quietly slipped out of bed, careful not to make a sound.
It was already past eight, and curfew at the orphanage was strict, but her fear for her brother outweighed her fear of punishment.
She put on her shoes, silently opened the door, and crept down the dark hallway.
The wooden floor creaked under her feet, so she held her breath for a moment before continuing.
She knew the supervisors might be nearby, and getting caught meant serious punishment—but her heart led her to Edward.
At the end of the hallway, she reached the door leading to the back yard.
A tall iron fence separated the girls' building from the boys'.
She hesitated, wondering how she could cross.
There was a gate, but it was locked with a heavy padlock.
She tried to open it, but it wouldn't budge.
Gripping the cold bars, she peered through, hoping to spot her little brother in one of the windows.
Suddenly, she heard heavy footsteps approaching.
Frozen in place, her heart pounding, she slowly turned—
And saw a tall young man, likely in his twenties, with sharp features.
His short black hair fell slightly over his forehead, and his brown eyes looked calm yet serious.
His skin had a natural tone, and he carried himself with steady steps and a strong build.
His rare smile made him seem even more intimidating.
With a gentle reproach, he said:
— What are you doing out here, little one? Don't you know wandering around at this hour is forbidden? Aren't you afraid of punishment?
Lina swallowed hard but responded firmly:
— I'm not afraid of punishment... I just want to see my brother. Is that not allowed too?
The young man raised an eyebrow and asked:
— What's your name, brave girl?
She replied:
— Lina.
He took a deep breath and said:
— Alright then. I'll help you.
Lina's eyes widened in disbelief.
— Really? You will?
He smirked and said:
— Yes… but only if you promise not to tell anyone.
Lina nodded quickly.
The young man took out a set of keys and unlocked the gate.
She watched him curiously and asked:
— Are you a supervisor here?
He smiled.
— No...
After returning the keys to his pocket, he added:
— If you're wondering who I am and how I got the keys—my name is Justin Bedford. You could say I'm an important guest around here.
As Lina crossed to the boys' side, she asked:
— And how does a guest get keys?
Justin chuckled:
— I told you, I'm important. They give me what I want so they can get what they want from me.
Lina grinned as she walked toward the boys' building:
— So… you're rich!
He nodded slightly.
— Maybe...
Then he added:
— Go on, find your brother. I'll wait here.
Lina opened the door and went inside, searching for the younger boys' rooms.
She opened the first door—no sign of her brother, only the soft breaths of sleeping children.
She opened the second door and there he was—not sleeping, but sitting on his bed, hugging himself.
The moment he saw her, he lit up.
— Linaaa!
Lina quickly placed a finger on her lips:
— Shhh…
She sat on the edge of his bed, kissed his forehead, and whispered:
— Are you okay, my dear?
Edward nodded.
— Yes, sister. Can we stay together?
Lina smiled softly:
— We're always together. I won't let anyone separate us.
A nearby child woke up to their voices and looked at her.
— Girls aren't allowed in here! he said.
Edward snapped:
— Mind your own business.
Lina patted Edward's head and gently said:
— It's alright, Edward.
She turned to the boy:
— I know. Thank you for warning me.
The boy looked at her with jealousy in his eyes—he wished he had a sister too.
Then, without another word, he lay back down and went to sleep.
Lina whispered:
— Go to sleep now. I'll stay until you fall asleep.
Edward lay down, staring at his sister until his eyelids grew heavy and he drifted off.
Lina tiptoed out of the room and returned to the yard, where Justin was still waiting.
— Thank you for helping me, she said.
He gave her a calm smile:
— No trouble at all.
Then she returned to her room.
The Punishment
In the morning, Edward woke to the noise of boys rising early.
He opened his eyes slowly and got out of bed, his bare feet touching the cold floor.
He walked to the window and looked out toward the girls' building.
Some girls were cleaning outside, but Lina wasn't among them.
His thoughts were interrupted by the same boy from last night.
Loudly, he announced:
— Guess what? This spoiled boy's sister came into the boys' area last night! He couldn't sleep without her. Isn't that right, little baby?
Laughter filled the room.
Children gathered around Edward, mocking him.
He tried to stay calm, but the boy wouldn't stop.
— Look at him! He's going to cry now. Want to know what'll happen if the supervisors find out?
— You'll lose your meals… but your sister? She'll be locked in the dark room with rats and monsters!
Edward froze in fear.
He didn't want Lina to suffer because of him.
Without thinking, he shoved the boy hard, knocking him to the ground.
The boy screamed, then lunged and bit Edward's arm, but Edward grabbed his hair.
A loud fight broke out.
A supervisor rushed in, separated them, and shouted angrily.
The boy quickly said:
— I can explain, sir!
The supervisor sighed:
— Go on then.
Pointing to Edward, the boy said:
— His sister came in last night and stayed with him. When I told him it was forbidden, he attacked me!
The supervisor's expression turned cold.
— You'll be confined here and assigned extra chores.
The boy smirked, thinking it was over—
But then the supervisor added with chilling calm:
— As for the girl… I'll inform Miss Grace. She'll punish her personally and lock her in the dark room.
Edward stood frozen in horror.
As soon as the supervisor left, he chased after him and grabbed his shirt.
— Please, sir… don't punish her. It won't happen again, I promise!
But the man shoved him away and locked the door.
He went straight to Miss Grace's office.
She was reviewing papers when he told her the story.
She slowly removed her glasses and stood with fury in her eyes.
With heavy steps, she made her way to the girls' building.
She burst into Lina's room—
Lina was quietly cleaning the floor.
Miss Grace grabbed her hair violently, dragging her out while the girls stared in horror.
— You insolent girl! You filthy brat! she screamed.
Lina tried to resist, confused:
— What did I do?! What's happening?!
Miss Grace didn't answer.
She dragged Lina outside.
From his window, Edward saw her being pulled by force.
Their eyes met. He panicked.
He tried to open the door, but it was locked tight.
He screamed from the window:
— Leave my sister alone! You monster!
But his cries vanished into the wind.
Miss Grace led Lina to the basement.
Down the stairs.
She shoved her to the ground.
— No food for you today. Stay here… with the rats.
Then she slammed the door shut.