- Augh… Gabriel, Gabriel, Gabriel… - Father Thomas started talking out loud, while Gabriel was following behind him. All other kids or practitioners moved to the side as the man walked through and when they saw who followed they mumbled among themselves different rumors.

- I heard he angered a noble…

- I thought he is here because he stole from all of us…

- Isn’t he the one that is half a monster? Look at his horns!

- Did he do this to take our souls? How will we be able to live anymore!!!

Some of the things these kids said were true, others were loosely based on things that had happened, but most of the chatter was about situations that had never happened, not even close.

- Silence! – Father Thomas shouted and shut them all up, but all of the people present knew that they’d continue their chatter as soon as they entered his room, which also worked as his office.

And so, they did. When Thomas and Gabriel entered the room voices came from their backs, but none of them minded the noise too much. Looking around Gabriel realized that Arabelle was also inside, sitting in one of the three chairs around a circular table.

- Gabriel, Arabelle, do you remember what I told you when you first came here? – Thomas asked and looked at Arabelle first, waiting for her answer, but Gabriel cut in.

- I don’t really remember much from anything, really – trying to lighten the mood, not so much for him, but more for his sister, which looked quite nervous, more than what she was during the usual punishment for being out late or buying unnecessary things.

- And this is one of the reasons why we’re here – Thomas commented – You are overprotective over your sister, and you don’t know to respect authority. I was clearly waiting for her answer, and I know that you had that clear when you answered for her.

This made Gabriel a bit ashamed, because he thought he had been pretty clever with his move, but all was read. And it was to be expected, as the man in front of him had been dealing with children making even more childlike moves for over two decades and he must’ve learnt something during that time period.

- So…? – Thomas pressed on with the question towards his sister and after a while she answered.

- I… don’t remember exactly… but… you said something about… making us better… and less monstruous… - Arabelle’s lips trembled as she spoke, but all was understood.

- Indeed, I did. I have been working with children for over twenty-five years now and more than ten inside this same building, where we have reformed and improved the lives of hundreds, if not thousands of children, all coming from different origins.

Thomas paused for a second and decided to stand up from the chair. He started looking around the room for some objects and when he found a wooden statue with a carving of an animal, he showed it to Gabriel and Arabelle and continued talking.

- Some have been like you two, coming from nature and with very little communication, yet we have managed to integrate them into society safely and successfully. When you two came here I expected that as well, and we have tried our best, given the current situation of multitude of children that have come during the last few years because of the war. We all here have spent a lot of energy and time trying to make you two better, but you either don’t want to learn or simply can’t.

He stopped talking once more and this time he also stopped walking. He seemed to be searching for the right words before continuing his monologue and it didn’t take too long before he was explaining the situation once more.

- And at some point, we have to throw the towel, we can’t keep you here forever. And even less after what you have done. I know that the both of you have had quite the interesting day. Yes, I know you stole from everyone Gabriel and yes, I know you severely injured the kid from the restaurant. You need to learn that your actions have consequences and even though we have tried to teach you that you simply don’t seem to learn. So, we have had enough, and you shall be dismissed tomorrow. – Thomas finished just like that, leaving it very clear that there was no room for discussion or a deal, like they sometimes did.

- Dis…missed? So, we won’t be missed? – Arabelle asked, with hope of this being a different, but still minor punishment, even though she very clearly knew what the word dismissed actually meant. Maybe showing that they didn’t understand this word would make them reconsider throwing them into the wild, but it seemed to encourage it even further.

- See! You didn’t even learn that… You will manage out there, like you managed until you reached this convent. – Thomas started pushing them out of his room – And if you don’t it’ll be your fault because you didn’t learn. See? It will all be your responsibility. But I’m not a monster… You have until tomorrow midday to leave, if you haven’t, then everyone will actively participate in kicking you out, with my permission and all.

And the kids were finally out of his room and wouldn’t disturb him for a while, hopefully forever. Father Thomas always gives his best to improve the lives of the children he takes care of. Some are harder, but these two kids had been the hardest he had ever experienced. So hard to fix, in fact, that he had given up for the first time in his life. Maybe it was destiny telling him that his time was soon up, showing that his passion would soon end.

Arabelle was the first one to talk after they were kicked out.

- I’m so, so sorry! I didn’t know we’d be kicked out! I just wanted my revenge and… - She started explaining herself, but Gabriel cut her off.

- You don’t need to explain yourself to me. This was our fault, and we’ll deal with it together. Still, I am glad that you managed to stand your ground on your own, it makes me quite proud. – They were talking while going to the bedrooms of the building, loud enough that everyone could hear.

And listening that these two little devils were going to be kicked made most of the population happy. A few felt disappointed at the lightness of the punishment, even less felt bad for them and only one person wanted to help them. This was Kupi, of course, who joined in with Gabriel after Gabriel and Arabelle parted ways, each to their own bed.

- So, are you going to him? – Kupi curiously asked Gabriel, taking him by surprise.

Gabriel had been considering going to the man that captured them ever since this was an option on the table, but the more he thought about it the worse of an idea it became. First of all, he didn’t know how to find him, but this would probably be solved easily by the man finding them.

Secondly, they didn’t know how strong he was, and Gabriel didn’t feel confident enough to pull a stunt similar to the one he pulled on Grum or the humanoids that had captured them. Even further it could perfectly be all just a trap and when they go to him, they are experimented on.

Or what if the man actually wanted to train them, but he was so insane that his training wasn’t only useless, but also harmful? There were too many unknown variables on the table, so unless he managed to uncover them or was forced to go with that man, he would rather stay away from him.

- I think I won’t. I’ll live off the streets, as you said you once did. – Gabriel finally responded to the question.

- Huh, I did say that. I guess I’ll go with you… After all we haven’t finished our training. And I still have some stories to tell. All will come in time… but maybe sooner than planned. That’s just how life is… you have to learn to tread along with it. – Kupi tried to sound like a wise man, but his young body and voice worked against him.

To that Gabriel just hugged him and whispered, “Thank you” and then started putting the few things he had into his bag. It wasn’t that he had lived with the minimum during his stay, but rather that he had used most things already and what he had left today was ransacked by the other children when they realized that he was the one who stole their things.

To make sure that these things made it through the night he slept hugging his bag and practiced staying with his guard up while sleeping, maybe someone was brave enough to attack him while everyone else was sleeping, but Gabriel went through the night untouched.

The next morning, he woke up even earlier than the day before and instantly went to wake his sister up, for them to take their leave before everyone else turned against them. Well physically, at least, because no one really liked them in the first place.

With no particular emotion showing in his face, Gabriel looked back at the church where he had lived in for a year and murmured:

- Thank you for giving me protection and teaching me some things for a year.

And just like that the siblings were back on their own, once again with a companion who wasn’t a plant, this time. None of the three kids could have predicted what their lives would turn into but none of them could prevent it either. One could say it was their Destin-y.