Her only concise memory was being hit by some men who broke in unexpectedly at work.
Maybe the mistake was her's for getting upset at someone she didn't remember, nor name, nor face. She only realised that while searching for something to kill time, she started a particular book, then noticed that something was wrong, only feeling the hit on her head, and then everything went pitch black.
That was one of her many blurry memories; that's it. She didn't remember anything clearly and only knew she had a life before, but for some reason didn't have any memory related to it, like her old name, her family, if she had one, and neither did she need to remember.
Even more, something made her think those life memories weren't graceful, and she had the feeling of being surrounded by animals, which she took care of, and they made her happy.
Closed the book she had in her lap at the moment and looked to the children playing near her; not one came close; she knew the reason why.
.
5 years ago
— There's a note here — Announced one of the women who saw the edge of a paper sticking out of a corner of the baby's blanket.
— Let's see. — Miss Cole took the note and saw a date on it.
August 27, 1928
— Must be the date when the baby was born — Said other women who took a glimpse. — If we account for the date today. — Looked at the calendar hanging on the wall marked from August to September. — She's 4 weeks old! — Informed the others, who soon watched the baby playing with Tom's hand with pettiness.
— How should we name her? — Asked Refugio, looking at the new member moving her little feet, when she saw something in the blanket. — It seems like she has one already. Look. — She said while taking the pink wraps and seeing some embroidered letters on the fabric.
— Anna Lyra. — Read Maria, a girl almost the same age as Refugio. — It's a pretty name.
— Now that we know her first name, we have to come up with a last name. — Said Ms.Cole. Now, everyone watched the kid, who soon returned the look with curiosity.
— Riddle Gaunt. — The answer of Refugio left everyone speechless and Tom with a surprised face.
— And why is that? — Asked Rosario with reproach.
— It was Tom who found her. Also, it seems like the two of them get along pretty well. — Argumented.
— And who knows if this freak won't hurt her and that this child won't regret being her sister, huh? — Crossed her arms while glazing a hateful look at Tom.
— He's no freak and he won't hurt her — Replied.
She was getting bored with the accusations of this cousin of hers. She knew Tom well enough to know he wouldn't hurt the baby.
— Stop fighting, you two. — Ordered Ms. Cole, frowning. — As he was the one who found her, then she'll carry his last name, as you said, Refugio. — Declared. — Now, everyone, keep your business.
Immediately, all the women left. Rosario left, stepping strongly with anger.
Refugio patted his head and went looking for a log of the orphan children arriving. — Anna Lyra Riddle Gaunt. — Said whispering. — Arrived on the 23rd of September 1928 and was born.....
Tom stopped paying attention to the lady and looked at the girl, who was also watching him steadily. — I'll be your brother. — Smiled Tom, showing his little teeth that weren't developed yet, but he looked adorable with that smile full of happiness. Like if the baby understood him, she returned the smile.
Happiness couldn't be explained to Tom. Knowing that he now had a little sister made his heartbeat accelerate, and more so when he saw that angelical smile, as if something warm filled his chest.
— From now on, you'll take care of her as his older brother the rest of your life, love her and never let her be damaged by anyone or yourself, you hear? — Said Refugio with a solemn smile to Tom.
— I promise.
That face pretending to be an adult's face made her laugh. Tom was a sweet kid, but he didn't understand why the rest of his caretakers didn't accept him.
The next period was calm until Anna turned 7 months old. That day was a scare for everyone in the orphanage.
— That is… — Refugio was surprised seeing the plushies she made for Anna dancing around her in a circle while she was clapping with her little hands.
— IT'S A FREAK! — Roared Rosario, looking at the scene with a crooked expression.
On Tom's side, it was a great happiness knowing that his younger sister was like him. He wouldn't be the only one; he wouldn't be alone, and his biggest fear had vanished. He didn't know what to do if that baby grew up and felt disgusted by him, rejecting his being, another disappointment he couldn't stand.
They were so surprised that they could only see how Rosario had arrived in front of Anna and had kicked her.
— ANNA!! — Screamed Refugio, full of panic, going to help the baby.
— Die, you cursed freak!! — Screamed, losing her temper. The cries of Anna echoed over the orphanage, and the kids there backed up, scared.
For Tom, it was like his heart stopped beating for a second at the sight of her sister getting cruelly kicked by that woman. Stood in shock seeing how Anna cried and blood dripping from her head; the anger invaded her body, his eyes turned scarlet red, and he looked with murder intent at Rosario.
The screams of the woman echoed in everyone's ears, seeing how the women started bending strangely, provoking terror for the spectators.
— The baby isn't breathing! — Those words made Tom forget about Rosario and run to aid his little sister. He hadn't realised when her sister stopped crying, and that only made his heart contract, thinking the worst.
— Anna? — Asked shaking, the tears accumulated in his eyes, he started to see all blurry that little face of his sister going pale. — Sister. — Touched with care, one of her hands.
Her little chest didn't move, and her body turned cold quickly.
Her sister died. That woman took his most valued treasure; his will to kill the woman came back, and she knew too. She was in trouble; she was going to get killed for not controlling her rage at seeing someone with magic.
Only that this wasn't her time, at that instant, the baby's cries continued with more intensity than the last time.
— She's alive! — Cried out Refugio with happiness and tears all over her face. — Let's go to the hospital, quick!
In a hurry, she took a blanket to cover herself and money to take a taxi with urgency before the kid stopped breathing again, or in the worst case:
Died.
.
In the present
Due to that hit and the moment she stopped breathing for 7 minutes, she remembered fragments of her past life.
It was a blessing in disguise.
She pursed her lips just at the thought of that moment. That woman was crazy enough to want to kill an innocent baby. In the present, Rosario was convicted of attempting murder on a child; now their lives are better without that woman.
On her brother's side, he took care of her at every moment and always defended her from the abuse of other children. When he couldn't, they were both bullied by children bigger than them.
Those bigger children were also responsible for Anna and Tom not having friends; they told the rest that they were freaks and that Tom was a killer demon; the kids were scared of even getting close to them, and even less of talking to them.
They were avoided like the pest, even more than that.
Sitting, lonely in a private place, she made a paper plane that soon started to elevate as if it were alive. She laughed because it was fun and made another, so the planes would play a war between them.
Having fun, but felt that something in her mind was forgotten, but she couldn't quite remember. Then she felt a stabbing pain in her forehead.
— Freak! — Exclaimed the children, who started to throw more little rocks. They knew that Tom was studying, so she would be lonely and defenceless.
Even if she had some memories, that didn't mean their feelings were like those of an adult. She may have been more sensible than any other child; anyway, she was a 5-year-old kid.
— Leave me! — Begged, suffocated by the abuse of the children.
— Monster, you're a demon like your brother... — The hurting words kept flowing from their mouths.
— I'm not a monster, my brother isn't either!!
Upon screaming madly because of the way they talked, suddenly many mice came out of nowhere and started attacking the kids, who fled quickly, leaving Anna crying with a bleeding wound on her head that soon started to heal like it was nothing. Only traces of blood were left on her stained forehead.
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