Possibilities

“Give it back!” you could hear Riley desperately scream as it echoed throughout the walls of the old building. There were eight bed’s around the room up against the walls, all neatly made with white sheets and covers. It smelled lovely, like freshly cut roses.

“Ha ha never gonna happen,” teased Cyrus flicking his hair to the side, “Why do you want this stupid thing anyway? It's a boy's toy and you are a girl!” He kept on teasing her trampling over and around the beds, messing them up all while Riley followed along behind him unable to catch up.

“Please give it back, it's mine,” she whispered, barely able to hold back the pain in her voice.

“Ha, no way! It’s not meant for you.”

“Please, please just give it back! It’s important to me!” Now sobbing Riley spoke, as she tripped on the sheets fumbling to the floor with a loud thump.

“What, are you going to beg for it back?” Cyrus proclaimed, “Or should this go all the way out there?” he pointed out the partly opened window at the back of the room when a breeze blew the curtains asway. In a bone chilling cold, all was quiet for a few condescending moments as Riley stared down at the floor then back at Cyrus. With his dark, red sweatshirt and pitch black hair that only made him look more cruel. He stared back. Right into her tearing, sapphire, blue eyes.

“No, I’ll do whatever you want. Please! I give up ok!” Riley wailed, crawling up on her knees, rubbing tears and her dirty, blond, hair out of her eyes. All while Cyrus mockingly laughed and crept closer to the window. Suddenly, Raymond came bursting through the cracked, dark brown, door with a small boy named, Braylen, hiding behind him.

“Cyrus!” Raymond hollered, “Put the dinosaur down, now!” Raymond ordered Cyrus. After a few moments of hesitation Cyrus, eventually put the dinosaur on the bed closest to him, sat down, then asked,

“What’s so important about this ugly thing anyway. It’s just a toy!”

Then everything went silent. The chilly breeze swept away the delightful aroma of the roses making the room seem bleak and dull. Only the muffled weeping of Riley could be heard. Soon light footsteps that barely made the floorboards creak headed towards the girl.

“Hey Riley, do you need a hug?” Braylen carefully asked, then patiently awaited a response. When no response came he snuggled in, then gave Riley a much needed warm hug. She gave in to her emotions and tightly squeezed the little boy. Her tears wet the collar of his cross, striped shirt. He let out a sigh of relief. Holding him close was a blessing Riley thought. Braylen was good company with his cute, calm, personality and bright, red, hair. Riley had an easier time around him than anyone else.

He knew all about her. How she loved playing tricks and that she changed herself in a way that made her feel comfortable in her own skin. They lived together before moving into the orphanage. Their old orphanage burnt down and they made it out along with the eldest kid there who was fifteen. Not even the adults made it out in time. The authorities couldn't find out how the fire started or even where it started. The whole building was lit up engulfed in fire and thick, black, smoke by the time they got there. It was traumatizing for them. It made them inseparable.

As Riley and Braylen sat quietly on the ground the uneasiness they held softly, dissipates away. Braylen sat in Rileys lap while her arms surrounded him and her tears dried up leaving streaks on her cheeks. Her hair slumped down into Braylen’s face when he shifted into a more comfortable position. Leaning up against Riley he settled down once again.

“Oh my, what would I do without him,” Raymond whispered to himself, seeing it all play out in the blink of an eye. He wore a comfortable, gray, sweater and had dark rooted, short, blond, hair that he kept messy all the time.

“Cyrus, come with me, we need to have a talk. Oh and Braylen if you can hear me keep Riley here, I want to have a little chat with her later.”

Braylen noded, trying not to disturb Rileys peaceful state. Then Raymond grabed hold of Cyrus’ arm and abruptly pulled him away.

“Ah, where are we going?! Couldn't we talk there? You know, get it done and over with.”

“Yeah, yeah keep your voice down ok. Come along Cyrus, we're going to the roof.”

“Uh but it’s so far away,” he whined.

With no reply, Raymond hauled hobboling Cyrus along and they headed to the roof. It was a noisy stroll to the roof. Other kids were running across the halls, laughing, playing, and squabbling around the place. They got stopped a few times on their way to the rooftop. There were multiple small arguments, usually about someone calling someone else a name or a person stealing something of value from another. One of them was about some brothers named Daniel and Rickson. Apparently, Rickson accidentally stepped on Daniels foot. Raymond found it to be a funny dispute to resolve. Many of the disagreements were solved with a quick conversation. Nothing like what happened between Cyrus and Riley. Seeing this, Cyrus was extremely curious why his argument was such a big ordeal.

“Uh, why is this such a big deal! Just tell me already!” Cyrus shouted.

“Be patient and keep following me.” Raymond responded with an annoyed expression.

In the staircase leading up to roof Cyrus, noticed that the walls were lined with old fashioned, flowered, wallpaper. It looked as though this was a single part of the building that hasn't been touched in decades. In the hallways earlier it was all painted a creamy white with spots of color from paint or dirt and no holes. However, here there were numerous cracks and chips alog the walls of the stairwell.

“Woah, what’s up with the wallpaper? Why does it look so old?” Cyrus mumbled.

Overhearing this, Raymond spoke “This part of the building has not been upgraded to a more modern style. The builders didn’t see a reason to, but I’m not too sure why.”

For the rest of the walk, Cyrus kept speechless. He couldn't figure out if Raymond was annoyed or upset or any one thing about him. He kept secretive and mysterious and it nagged at Cyrus.

When they got to the top of the stairwell there stood a rusty, metal, door with an almost invisible keyhole. Raymond, first made sure no one was coming up the stairs, then grabbed a necklace hidden underneath his gray sweater. On a brittle, brass, chain necklace was a gold-looking, tiny, key. He put the key in the keyhole, turned it, and with an erupting screech easily pushed open the door. A brisk wind slide through the metal door as Raymond stepped through.

“Coming slowpoke?”

“Yeah,” bewildered Cyrus uttered.

The whole rooftop was a magnificent garden. Vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers of all colors were bloomed everywhere. The quantity of all the plants together made the smell of the wonderful herbs more present than any other garden. In this place it felt warm and peaceful even in the chilled, humid, air. Right in front of them was a large, rectangle, planter was a small stream of cold water and a green bench placed neatly beside it.

“This is the orphanage’s garden, we like to say it’s magic. It’s keeping us feed and alive, so don’t go around destroying anything,” Raymond shared with Cyrus while he found a bench to sit on.

“Please make this quick, I still have to unpack my bag,” Cyrus annoyingly said.

“Wow, ok then. Please come sit down. Unless you want to stand the whole time.”

Rolling his eyes he respond, “Uh, fine. I’ll sit.”

Cyrus sat down on a clean, wooden, green bench with Raymond.

“Can I begin?”

“Yeah, go for it, I’m all ears,” Cyrus said, as he leaned back in the seat then looked up at the gray ski.

“Alright, four years ago Riley and Braylen’s orphanage burnt down. Along with every single one of the caretakers and their friends.”

“Do I really need to know their life’s story! What in the world would I need to know about her? She dresses like a boy, acts like one and is overall a weird, crazy girl. I mean I don’t even know if I can call her that!” There was a brief pause before Ray sighed.

“Just be quiet, it’s important for you to know this. Riley made that doll out of the remaining parts of her friend's toys. It can not be replaced or replicated. This is why we make sure when something like this occurs, the person is notified so it is less likely to happen again. Got it?” Raymond sternly spoke.

“Wait, hold on a second, why tell me this? Why would I care if it’s irreplaceable? I don't get it. ” Cyrus commented, with an exceedingly louder tone in his voice. Rummaging through his head like a stop motion movie he saw horrific images created by his imagination. Flooding out every other thought it stayed pinned in his mind. A blazing fire, desolate ruins, muffled noises felt all too familiar but ever so distant. Yet, he kept the same solid expression showing no sign of anger, confusion, or sorrow.

“Well, hopefully the person would be civil enough to comprehend the situation. But it seems in this case consequences are going to have to become stronger for a particular person.” Raymond responded. He felt sorrow drip into his mind when thinking about that terrible day then swept it out.

“I'm leaving,” declared Cyrus, not acknowledging the question.

“Wait until I speak with Riley. For now why don’t you get some gloves on and pick out the weeds in the garden. The gloves are in the shed right beside the entrance. Also there’s some small shovels in there too.” Raymond smirked, then guided Cyrus to the shed and went on his way.

Indignant Cyrus, shoved open the shed door, graped a pair of gloves and roughly ripped out a clump of weeds, taking his anger out on them.

While Cyrus was in the garden, Raymond crossed paths with Chrystella. She was a smart and sensible four-teen year old girl. She had on a jean jacket and a plaid shirt underneath. Knowing this, he asked her if she could keep an eye on the incompitent newbie, Cyrus, telling her everything that went down. She wasn't happy to receive the news but did accept it. She was one of the oldest after all. It was her job.

“Wow, he already got into a fight. I’m not too surprised though, he did seem like trouble.” Chrystella calmly stated, sliding her long, brunette, hair out of her eyes. Revealing a wonderful hazelnut colored eye alongside a seaside blue one that shimmered in the light.

“So would you mind keeping an eye on him. He’s up in the garden right now picking out weeds. Probably not only weeds at this point though.”

“Sure, why not I don’t have anything to do anyway.”

“Thanks Stella. He’s a troublemaker so be careful,” Raymond joked.

“No problem Ray, like I need to be careful. See you later!”

Stella went on her way to find Cyrus. Then Raymond swiftly walked to the bedroom where Riley and Braylen were resting. On his way he bumped into two sleeping kids in the middle of the walkway knocking him down on his knees. They both had brown hair with the boy’s being short and light while the girl’s was dark and a little past shoulder length. The pair were wearing pull over sweaters and old jeans. As Ray stood up he got a better look at their face’s recognising who they were. It was Triston and Lynn. The twins who he had settled one of the countless arguments with earlier today. Remembering the commotion, he quietly laughed then bent down and slowly woke them up.

With a gentle shake Raymond whispered “Hey guys, it’s not bedtime nor is this a bed.”

There was a slight pause in the conversation then subtle movements came from the girl, Lynn.

“Is that you Ray?” came a muffled voice “It’s time to wake up brother, looks like we fell asleep because of our tiring argument about shoes.”

“Ah yes,” chuckled Ray, “Also it is me, Ray.”

Another mumble came.

This time it was Triston, “I still think sneakers are better.”

“No, slip on shoes are way better,” muttered Lynn.

Shaking his head, Ray asked, “I have to get going now. Will you guys be ok here?”

“Where are you going?” the twin questioned the same time.

An eerie feeling crept up Raymonds back, “Every time, that is severely creepy.”

Paying no attention to this response they blankly stared at Raymond.

“Anyway, I’m going to see Riley and Braylen. They got into trouble with Cyrus the newbie, and now I have to go speak with them. I would prefer it if you didn’t come along.” Raymond seriously spoke.

“Awe why not?” taunted Triston.

“Because I said no, I have reasons I would rather not speak of.” Ray sternly told them.

“Hey Triston, we should probably listen.” noted Lynn with a worried expression.

“Fine, we won't get in the way.”

“Thank you, bye now,” Ray light heartedly said.

Quietly, sitting together Trison tries to start a calm, careful, conversation.

“Hey, how are you in there? You haven't made a peap scene they left.” Braylen softly asked Riley

“I-I don’t know,” a whisper of sound spoke, “I hate this, everytime I get so upset about something that seems so small. It frustrates me!”

“’Even if the stars burn out, and the moon no longer shines, we still hold those few seconds before the lights go out.”

“Is that from one of your stupid books again.” Riley says, trying to keep from smiling.

“Well yeah duh, the one we read together yesterday.” he says, sounding like it was obvious and a little laughter came sprawling out of Riley.

He smiles, “I’m glad I can still make you laugh.”

“Ding, Dong,” the sound of a bell chime swings in the air then, a knock at the edge of the open door.