Sunny had just been brought into the government child care facility after his mother passed away.
He was still a little lightheaded after finding out that his mother had died that very morning. He looked down at his younger sister, who was sticking close to him, not understanding what was happening, she was only three years old after all.
They continued to walk down the corridor, following the government childcare assistant as she escorted them to their new room.
Eventually, they stopped in front of a metal door. The lady placed her hand on the doorknob and opened it before glancing back at Sunny and Rain.
"We're here. Please make yourselves comfortable, kids," she said with a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. The sight made seven-year-old Sunny feel a shiver run down his spine.
Sunny nodded quickly and walked into the room, pulling Rain along with him.
Once inside, he looked around. The room was cleaner than the one he, his mother, and Rain had lived in, but it was bare, furnished only with the essentials.
There were two beds, a wardrobe, and a small bathroom. Nothing else.
Sunny looked down at Rain, who was still clinging to his leg. She looked nervous. He couldn't blame her, just yesterday, she'd been in a small room with her mother and big brother. Now, she'd woken up to find herself in a strange new place.
Sunny turned around to address the lady who'd brought them, but before he could speak, she started talking again.
"This is your new room for now, until one or both of you get adopted. Once you turn fifteen, you'll be on your own, remember that, okay?"
Sunny nodded and replied quietly, "Yes," while staring at the floor.
The assistant continued after confirming he understood.
"Both of your schedules are on your beds. Sunless, your bed is on the left. Rain, yours is on the right. Sunless, help her understand what's going on for now. Get comfortable until someone comes to get you for dinner."
Once she finished speaking, she closed the door, not giving Sunny a chance to ask any questions.
Sunny sighed and turned toward the beds.
"Big brother," Rain said softly, tugging on his pants to get his attention.
Sunny looked down and smiled, crouching so he was eye level with her.
"What is it, Rain?"
Rain looked a little distressed before asking, "B-big brother… where's Mama?"
Sunny's smile faltered slightly. "She's in a better place now," he replied gently.
"Better place?" Rain tilted her head in confusion.
"Yes, a better place!" Sunny said, patting her head. "She's having a big dream! She's gone on a very long… um, adventure! Yes, that's right — an adventure. That's why we need to stay with some of her friends for now."
His big smile made Rain relax a little, though the confusion didn't completely fade from her eyes.
Sunny stood and walked over to his bed, picking up the notepad lying on it. It read:
Breakfast: 6:00
Free time: 6:30–12:00
Lunch: 12:00–12:30
Inside play: 12:30–6:00
Dinner: 7:00
Bedtime: 8:00
That was the entire schedule from Monday through Sunday.
He sighed and turned to look at Rain, who was now curiously exploring the room. His eyes drifted up to the clock, it read 6:30.
"Thirty minutes till dinner," Sunny thought. "I guess I can have a look around in the meantime."