Lina sat on the cold floor, unable to see anything in the darkness.
The sound of rats terrified her, and some even scurried across her feet. Things only got worse when the cold settled in and she heard the rain begin to pour.
She wondered to herself, "Was my brother punished too? Is he okay?"
At the same time, Edward was curled up in a corner, hugging himself and crying in fear for his sister.
He couldn't help her, but he made up his mind to misbehave just so he could be locked up with her.
Looking around the room, he spotted some items: a vase, a small mirror, and some children's toys.
He opened the window and threw them outside, breaking some of them. A few kids saw what he did and quickly told the supervisors.
Moments later, the same supervisor who had punished him before stormed in and shouted:
— "You idiot! What do you think you're doing? How are you going to replace the things you just broke?"
Edward replied provocatively,
— "I don't care. I broke them, and I'm not sorry for it."
The supervisor growled angrily,
— "Rude, just like your sister!"
Edward snapped,
— "I'm not rude! You are! You're a monster!"
The supervisor, enraged by Edward's words, slapped him across the face.
Edward held his cheek in pain, but the supervisor seemed satisfied and turned to leave.
Just then, Edward rushed at him and bit his leg. The man screamed in pain and shook him off. Glaring, he growled,
— "You violent brat! You know what? I'll put you with your sister. You must be dying to see her."
Edward secretly smiled at that. The man dragged him toward the basement.
When they arrived, Lina heard the sound of the door opening. She stood up, squinting to see as the supervisor dragged a small child down the stairs and shoved him into the room.
Then he left, locking the door behind him.
Edward grinned as soon as he saw her, and leapt forward joyfully to hug her.
— "Linaaa!" he cried.
Lina was shocked.
— "Edward?! What are you doing here?"
After hugging her tightly, Edward said,
— "I couldn't help you, so I decided to get punished too. That way, you wouldn't be alone."
Lina was taken aback by his words. She knelt down to meet his eyes.
— "Edward, my sweet boy… thank you. But you didn't have to do that for me."
He smiled,
— "Isn't that what siblings do for each other?"
She smiled gently and nodded.
— "Yes… that's exactly what siblings do. Thank you."
They both sat on the cold ground.
Edward noticed the rats. Although he was a little scared, he tried to stay brave.
Hours passed. Lina did her best to distract him from fear and boredom—playing little games, telling him stories.
Evening came, and they were still locked away, now growing very hungry. Neither had eaten all day.
Then, they heard the door creak open.
Edward hugged Lina tightly. A strong-built man walked down the stairs and called out,
— "Little one! You really are a troublemaker, aren't you?"
Lina didn't know why a smile spread across her lips when she heard his voice.
— "Mr. Justin!" she exclaimed.
Justin smiled, sat beside them, and asked Edward,
— "And who might you be?"
Lina answered,
— "This is Edward, my little brother. He's the one I tried to reach last time, remember?"
Justin smiled at Edward.
— "Hello, brave one!"
Edward gave him a small smile, and Lina asked,
— "What are you doing here?"
Justin replied,
— "I heard from one of the children that you were locked up. So I came to help—or to get punished with you. You weren't the only one breaking rules. I was part of it too. I hate punishment, so I'd rather get you out."
Lina frowned,
— "But you're just a visitor. You don't have the authority to take us out."
He gave her a sly look, and she chuckled.
— "Oh right… how could I forget? You're a very important visitor."
He replied with a smirk,
— "Exactly."
Lina stood up and helped Edward to his feet.
Justin then said,
— "You must be starving. Come on, let's go to the kitchen."
As they walked there, Lina holding Edward's hand, she glanced at Justin and asked,
— "I get that you're an important guest, but visitors usually stay for a while and then leave. Why are you still here?"
She gasped suddenly, pretending to be shocked.
— "Wait—don't tell me you're in love with one of the supervisors?"
Justin raised an eyebrow and tried not to laugh.
— "What? Of course not!"
They reached the kitchen and went inside.
— "Then why are you still here?" Lina asked again.
Justin's expression turned serious.
— "It's a long story. One I'm not ready to tell… just yet."
With that, he turned and began preparing food.
Lina and Edward sat at the table.
A few minutes later, he served them hot soup and bread.
— "Once you're done eating, go back to your room and get some rest. I'll give you some space so you can eat comfortably," he said, and then left the room.