07:15 A.M. February 4, 4086 A.D.

Orphanage’s Lawn

Tori Henna

Tori stood tall in the midst of the well-mowed green lawn. The wind blew in a soft whisper, and it grazed her face softly as if caressing her. She looked up in the sky, and the sun radiated like a blazing fire in the early morning. "It's beautiful. Too bad I can't feel its warmth."

She knew the sun was artificial, yet this did not stop her from appreciating its beauty. For her, it was like an undying hope, and every time she felt lonely, she just looked at it, and it never failed to comfort her.

Yet, this was not the reason that made her happy. For the first time in her life, she succeeded in her gardening: a seedling finally sprouted in her garden. A scene appeared in her memory.

...two kids lost in the forest, cornered by a wolf...

...a girl cried in the forest...

...a boy protected a girl...

...a dead wolf laid on the ground...

...a boy gave a girl a rose plant to comfort her...

...a girl smiled…

Tori couldn't help but smile when she remembered this event. That was a first for her to receive a gift from someone, and she cherished that plant, which led her to pursue gardening. As if destined to be the enemies of plants, every plants she took care of died. But today, after several futile attempts, today, she finally succeeded. "Well, Alcee, I was planning to tell you about my achievements today. Why do you have to ruin it with such silly antics?" She couldn’t help but sigh as she remembered the nightmare she saw at Troy’s room, making her cheeks red.

Tori was still admiring her plant when an elderly woman suddenly appeared from the back door.

"Tori dear, are you done with the plants?" Matron Minerva asked, wiping her forehead as she walked towards Tori. “"I need help. I can't seem to find the compost I've ordered from Mr. Lorry yesterday."

"Yes, mom, I'm done.," Tori sweetly answered as she hugged Matron Minerva, pecking a kiss on her right cheek. "Don't you worry about the compost mom, I've already placed it on your desk."

"Thanks, dear." Matron Minerva released a sigh. She went towards her direction and saw the budding plant. "Wow, finally you have succeeded, my dear."

"He he he. It's not a big deal, mom."

"If you say so, ha ha ha."

"Mom, stop being mean!"

"Ha ha ha, okay I'd stop," Matron Minerva talked mirthfully, quelling her laughter. Beaming with delight, she knelt to check on the budding plant up-close. She paused for a moment, and said, "Well, where did you place the compost dear. Is it inside the parcel?"

"No, mom. It's on the desk. Come to think of it mom, there was another capsule I've found at the desk. A funny thing they are both yellow." Tori tidied her soiled gardening shirt and began collecting her tools.

"What?!"

"Why mom?"

"I'd better check on the capsules to make sure if everything’s all right. You'd better hurry up my dear and go as well. Today's the test, better not be late," Matron Minerva reminded her as she stood up. “I hope Alcee got the right capsule, or else he’d be in a lot of trouble.”

"Okay, mom. I won't be late." Tori reassured Matron Minerva. Her gaze followed the Matron’s movement until she saw her mom went inside the orphanage. Collecting her tools, she noticed a bluebird perching on a tree branch. Then, she remembered something, making her heart ache.

Sis, I caught this bird early this morning, it's yours now.

Thank you, teehee.

Good, you like it?

Yes, I like it so much. Hmmm, Alcee, would you promise to take care of me forever?

Yes, Tori. Of course, I will always take care of you.

Really, then promised me that when we get older, you will marry me.

Ha ha ha. Do you even know what marrying is?

Yes, I know. When two people care for each other, they marry.

But, I'm your brother.

Will I just be a sister to you? She shook her head, looking dejectedly as she remembered their conversation a few years back. "How can you be so dense, Alcee? Can't you see my feelings for you?"

She opened the door and went inside. Carefully arranging the equipments inside the cupboard, she walked upstairs when she heard Matron Minerva calling her. "Hurry up and look for you brother, Tori. He mistook the compost as his breakfast capsule. They're both yellow..."

"Well, my dear dense brother, I guess this day will be troublesome for you."

______________________________________________________

07:30 A.M. February 4, 4086 A.D.

Troy’s Room

Troy Jenner

“My life’s all over! Did Tori see my dick? Aaargh!”

Troy was in a trance as he analyzed his troubles. If only he could turn back time, he would definitely erased his most embarrassing experience. He could have just ignored the dumb bird. He could have just stayed in the bathroom. He could have just kicked Alcee out of his room. “Damn! She should have just seen my beautiful butt. God! Why didn’t you give me a bigger dick?!”

Burying his face in his pillow, he roared like a lion to release his frustrations. He wanted to punch the walls but he relented because it was too agonizing for him, after all, he hated pain.

“Oh Tori, will you still love me? Will size matter to you?”

Troy let out a deep sigh as he lie down on his bed. He always imagined himself to be almost perfect - handsome, charming, and sexy. Alas, God has been fair to all, his almost perfect stature was marred by his private part.

"Why? You could have just let me be small in height, but why this?"

A smile formed in his face as he reminisced the time she met Tori.

...a girl smiling…

...a ribbon on her hair…

...pouting lips…

...wearing a skimpy gown…

...my first boner…

...my first love...

Aaaah, sweet life. There’s no other girl that could make me happy except -

THWACK!

“AAAARGH!” Troy felt intense pain and jolted, waking him up from his daydreams. “You wanna die, huh -!”

He was not able to continue what he was about to say. Before him, Matron Minerva was holding a stick, thumping it on her free hand. She gawked at him and pursed her lips - he knew he was in big trouble.

“What did you say?!”

“Eeeeh. Sorry mom. I didn’t know it was you.”

“Well, hurry up and stop procrastinating!”

“Okay mom.”

Me and my dick problems! Better hurry up and take the exam.

_______________________________________________________________________

07:30 A.M. February 4, 4086 A.D.

Orphanage’s Veranda

Ken Chiaozu

Ken stood in the veranda that was partly enclosed by a white, metallic railing. Looking at his watch, he frowned. It was almost 8 am, and he couldn't help but feel nervous, knowing that he could become a military or a worker after the test today.

"Please, let me be a worker. I don't wanna be a soldier, it's bad for my image."

Sighing, he held his pendant and unclasped its lock. It was already his habit - whenever he felt lonely or nervous, he would touch the only memento of his roots. He felt nostalgic about the picture of his real family - Jiang, and Rhee. "Rhee, wherever you are, I hope you’d always eat chocolates like you used to." His eyes became moist with tears as he remembered his deceased brother. He could still clearly recall what the investigator said: Rhee was brutally eaten alive by a monstrous crocodile back in the swamp. "We should have not visited the farm. We should have just stayed at home. I should have listened and stayed far from the swamp. Rhee could still be alive."

Tormented and heartbroken, he wept silently.

"I should stop this, somebody might see me crying. I hate being called a crybaby."

Ken took out a mirror from his robe. Making sure that he was scot-free, he applied powder onto his face to refresh himself. "There you go, girl. You look stunning." Giggling, he grabbed a book from his electopocket, and he was about to read it when a gentle voice grabbed his attention.

"Hey, Kennie Kitty!"

"Hey Alcee. thank God you've arrived, I was about to die from boredom standing here alone."

"Ha ha ha. Well, am I the first one to arrive?"

Ken took two chairs and gave the other one to Alcee. "Yes, you're lucky. Don't tell me you're happy that we can spend time together, alone?" Ken winked at him and giggled. He knew his close friends knew that he was gay, and he was not afraid to act like this when he was with them. His friends would not take offense, they understood his sexual preference and accepted him wholeheartedly. "I didn't know you're into yaoi stuff, dear Alcee. You should have told me sooner. I could have helped you."

"No, no Kennie, ha ha, that was just an accident" Alcee replied as he sat on the chair and relaxed. He looked at Ken, and his countenance became serious. "Did you find your brother Jiang's whereabouts?"

Ken stared back at him and sighed. He shook his head, his eyes reddened as if he was about to cry. "I don't know what happened, even the Justice Corps can't find him. I'm worried. I hope nothing bad happened to him."

"So even your clairvoyance couldn't find him, eh? Well, stop thinking like that, okay?” Alcee looked intently at Ken while patting his shoulders, as if comforting him from the situation. “Not until we can find him, we should not think of such things. Be positive okay."

"Thank you, bro. I feel okay now, thanks to you. If only you could be my husband, it would have been so perfect." Ken giggled as he wiped his tears,

"I'm being serious here you know. And I don't like dicks, ha ha ha, no, siree.”

At this moment, a piercing feeling crept inside Ken's heart. He pursed his lips as he closed his eyes, calming his blurry mind. A puff of wind caressed his sweaty face, and he felt the chilling air invading his body. Suddenly, images popped up inside his consciousness like that of a hologram.

...a big tree...hacked down in half...

...a serpent eating a lion...

...a black heart on an altar...

...ten arrows intertwined...

...a book held by five golden hands...

...words disappearing...rewritten...burned...

...explosion...a gigantic purging...

...crying...wailing...despairing...

"Why do I feel bad? What's this creepy feeling? Oh, God, my clairvoyance is acting up again." Squinting his brows hard, Ken looked at the sky and mumbled, "Please let this day end breezily."