The Orphan Who Lived

Under the soft light of the moon and the sprinkling of snowflakes, a boy with a very tired and heavy gaze stood, his gray eyes surveying the individuals around him.

A few were clad in layers of armor with weapons in their hands; others were dressed in some kind of pristine hazard suits, holding clipboards that trembled with either fear or shock.

Several more were standing at a distance, surrounding the perimeter, the sounds of their mumbling reaching him.

Regardless of where they were or what they wore, each of them had a similar reaction, all caught in a state of profound shock.

Amidst them, flying drones were apparent in the snowy air, their bottoms revealing beams that scanned the residual area, serving as small spotlights that caught a glimpse of June's attention.

Peering away from them, he soon realized he was standing among the now fallen orphanage. 

Piles of dislodged wood and debris sat around him, extending out toward the streets, littering a large portion of his surroundings.

'What a mess…'

The once lively place was devoid of life, leaving him as the sole survivor.

Everything was blocked off and strictly restricted access by what seemed to be some kind of translucent barrier.

It was guarded by more people who patrolled it, or would be if it wasn't for June, who had caught everyone's attention.

He couldn't remember the last time he had seen this many people in this part of town all at once. Usually, such an amount was seen downtown, in the more bustling areas of the city. Of course, there was a clear reason why that was the case, it was just weird was all.

"It's a… b-boy…"

A woman close by uttered, her brows raised and mouth hung open as if she was staring at June like he was an otherworldly creature who somehow appeared from thin air. 

Which, partially, was true.

Beside her, a very broad shouldered man with brown hair soon added on, his eyes signifying his bewilderment as he said:

"It is… b-but how…"

His voice almost seemed as if it was about to break.

'Is it really that surprising..?'

He tended to stay far away from anything concerning the Ark and the events transpiring from it. But the way these people were reacting, June could tell he had achieved a miracle.

A few minutes passed as they continued to stare at him without blinking, before another voice spoke, this time with authority.

"Move aside!"

It was a man's voice, both deep and mature.

He neither yelled in urgency at them nor in utter shock. It was more of a simple command.

The small crowd moved aside, allowing the person to approach.

Soon, illuminated by the bright moonlight, a man with glistening blonde hair that was parted to the side appeared before June.

Immediately, it felt like June had shrunk, the man towering over him like a tall castle. 

He had a knightly stature to him, with a resolute demeanor and a squared jawline.

Unlike most of everyone else around June, he wore a dashing black suit and tie that fit his frame perfectly.

"What's your name kid?"

He asked, stopping just in front of June.

Looking up, June replied:

"... June."

The man's brown eyes peered down at June with a sense of pity. And of course he did.

Everyone looked at him that way.

After a few seconds of pondering what to do with June, he sighed, a breath of cold air escaping his mouth. 

Then, surprisingly, he took off his coat, leaving him with just a tie and shirt, before wrapping the coat around June.

A bit shocked, June simply didn't react.

Instead, he accepted the coat. 

Not too long ago, he had bathed in the waters within Paths… so meeting cold air right after left him shivering, if only slightly.

"Follow me kid."

With that, he was directed out of the piles of debris, walking as he dealt with the gazes that gawked at him from every direction.

He wasn't sure what was going to happen to him, or where he was being led. However, the only thing June currently desired was warmth and a soothing cup of water to quench his thirst.

***

A few hours later…

Seated on a bench just outside of a long hall, June cradled a plastic cup of water.

The sound of footsteps pattering on the marble floor, keyboards being clicked, telephones ringing, and people conversing filled the space.

As June waited, several people passing by gave him oddly disturbing looks, as if conveying someone like him didn't belong amongst them.

Which was true. 

Currently, he was seated inside a Carecenter that had been built at the heart of District Two — one of the three main Districts where many high-ranked civilians were usually seen. 

Districts typically housed people that either had high connections to the Government, or were Ascenders.

Regardless of that, the man known as Winston had brought him here. 

Over the last few hours, he had been tested for signs of Breach Infection, Cursed Energy, or Essence. 

Thankfully, there were no signs of the first two, however, Essence was only obvious. 

He had an Element now, and was fully awakened.

They hadn't asked him exactly how he awakened yet, but it was a question that would pop up eventually.

After they finally finished the procedure, they dismissed him, and the blonde man told him to just sit tight and wait outside. Which he's been patiently doing, ignoring the distasted looks directed at him.

Apart from him, who sat alone on the soft bench, there was also a mother and daughter who sat across from him on another bench that caught his attention.

The mother was holding her daughter in her arms, softly caressing her hair as she rocked back and forth. 

She seemed stressed; her skin was visibly pale, and there were dark circles under her eyes.

She hadn't slept for a while, maybe a few days.

The daughter was sitting on top of her lap, nestling her face into her mothers chest.

Soon, a doctor walked out of a room adjacent to the bench. The mother was surprised, standing up while simultaneously holding her daughter as her eyes locked onto the man.

She seemed desperate for an answer, immediately bombarding the doctor with several questions.

"Is my baby boy infected?!"

"Will he live?!"

"Please, I've already lost too much, tell me he's okay!"

Everyone else around them seemed to not pay her hollering any attention, as if they were completely used to it.

The doctor quickly calmed her down, patting her shoulder. 

After she calmed down, he didn't bother saying a word. 

He just looked at her with remorse, his silence loud enough to convey the words she sought.

A moment later, she burst out crying, falling to the ground with her daughter still wrapped in her arms.

"Mama, what's wrong?"

The daughter suddenly asked, which the mother wasn't able to respond to. Instead, she clutched her daughter tighter and embraced her while sobbing.

"June… come along."

Grasping his attention, Winston beckoned for June from the end of the hall.

"Alright."

His attention lingered on the daughter and her mother for a bit before getting up. 

Bringing the cup to his mouth, he then consumed the remaining bit of water before tossing it into a nearby trash can and walking off.

It was sad to think that what he saw just now was only a glimpse of the Ark's tantalizing grip on the humans of this world.