Agent's Dog System

7.Lost Orphan

It was a new day in Styria, Austria. In one of the picturesque towns of this region, the great sun rose majestically in the sky, though the crisp autumn air still lingered, slowly dissipating the moisture left by the rain from the night before.

 The leaves of the trees were beginning to transform, painting the landscape with golden, reddish, and ocher tones, as if nature itself wanted to celebrate the arrival of a new season.

At the Order of the Sun orphanage, all the children were called for breakfast, a morning ritual that marked the start of their studies within the cozy facilities.

In a room with five beds, each crafted from sturdy oak wood, the single-sized mattresses were covered with immaculate white sheets. Each bed had a somewhat firm pillow and a warm blanket that offered comfort during the chilly autumn nights.

 Four of the beds held children sleeping soundly, but the fifth was empty. Aiden was no longer there.

His friend Billy, always resourceful, had placed a few pillows under the covers to make it look like Aiden was still asleep, ensuring that no one would suspect his escape.

 He had taken those pillows from the large wardrobe located in the corner near the door, where pillows, sheets, quilts, blankets, and other bedding items were stored.

Next to this wardrobe was another one designated for the boys' clothes. Beside each bed stood a small dresser, designed to hold small belongings like socks, shoes, and slippers, although some children used the space to hide food and the occasional book.

The room was spacious, allowing the boys to move comfortably and giving them enough space to organize themselves. However, there was one inconvenience: the bathrooms were at the end of each corridor, which meant they had to wake up early to avoid long waits. This detail added a sense of urgency to their mornings but also fostered discipline and patience among the children—qualities that Sister Beatriz always sought to instill in them.

Sister Beatriz was a beautiful and charismatic woman, her large brown eyes radiating warmth and understanding. Her tanned, soft, and luminous skin reflected her origins and outdoor lifestyle. Dressed in her nun’s habit—a simple yet elegant attire consisting of a long tunic and a veil that delicately framed her face—Beatriz exuded serenity and grace, inspiring trust and respect among the children at the orphanage. Her presence was always comforting, and her smile, a beacon of hope for the little ones she cared for so diligently, illuminated the room as she entered to wake the boys. Today was a special day.

“Wake up, boys, today is the big adoption day, and perhaps all of you will find a new home,” Sister Beatriz said with genuine excitement, her voice resonating like a soothing melody in the room.

She watched as the four boys slowly got up, rubbing their eyes with their fists and yawning, including Billy. The nun frowned slightly when she noticed that the boy in the bed next to Billy wasn’t moving. Before she could call out to Aiden, Billy, with his heart racing, quickly intervened.

“Sister, Aiden has been a bit tired from yesterday, but I’ll make sure he gets up in time for breakfast,” Billy said in a strong and determined voice, though inside he was trembling with nerves.

“Well done, thank you, Billy. You’re always so responsible and kind to others,” Sister Beatriz replied with a warm smile.

“That’s right,” Billy replied with a trembling voice, trying to hide his nervousness behind a mask of confidence.

Sister Beatriz continued:

“Well, boys, remember to bathe and put on your best suit for this special occasion. I’ll see you in the dining hall. Don’t be late.”

She reminded them once more about the day, her excitement tinged with a hint of sadness in her voice:

It will break our hearts to see you go, but that’s how life is. You’ll have a fresh start, and as we say here at the Order of the Sun: "Everyone has the opportunity for a new beginning. No matter where you are heading, if you move forward with love and happiness, you will always find a new dawn."

With that, she left the room with calm steps, leaving the children lost in their thoughts.

“Phew!” Billy exclaimed, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead. Finally, he could breathe a sigh of relief, feeling his soul return to his body. He didn’t know how long he could keep up the deception—he wasn’t good at lying, and at any moment, they might discover the truth. The weight of guilt began to settle in his chest, though he tried to convince himself that he was doing it for Aiden.

The other boys in the room, who were either his age or Aiden’s, paid no further attention to the matter. All of them, wearing their white pajamas with green stripes, long-sleeved t-shirts, and pants, along with warm white socks, climbed down from their beds and headed to bathe. Billy had to go too, though he was a little frightened by what had just happened. He internally lamented not telling the truth, and worse still, if the sisters found out, they would punish him by making him clean the bathrooms for a month or so.

Once ready and dressed, all the boys headed to the dining hall on the first floor, descending the stairs since there were no elevators—or they were under maintenance due to their age.

The dining hall was very large, with five or six long, sturdy wooden tables where both boys and girls gathered. The tables were arranged in neat rows, allowing all the children to sit together and share their meals in an atmosphere of camaraderie.

The chairs, also made of wood, were sturdy and comfortable, designed to withstand daily use by the children.

At the far end of the dining hall was a spacious kitchen where five or six sisters worked preparing the meals. The kitchen was equipped with large stoves, ovens, and a variety of utensils that the sisters used skillfully to prepare the food.

The aroma of freshly baked bread and homemade stews filled the air, creating a cozy and familial atmosphere.

Each boy had to approach the kitchen counter with his tray to receive his daily portion, as in almost every dining hall in the world. The trays were made of metal, durable and easy to clean, and the children held them carefully as they moved along the line. All the boys had to form an orderly queue to get their food, patiently waiting their turn to chat and laugh with one another.

The sisters, always kind and smiling, served generous portions of food, ensuring that each child received a nutritious and balanced meal.

Suddenly, someone whispered to Billy from behind. It was Maria, one of Billy and Aiden’s closest friends, whom they had known for a long time at the orphanage. Maria, a twelve-year-old girl like Aiden, stood out with her bright blue eyes, full of curiosity, which seemed to reflect the sky on a clear day. Her skin was soft and velvety, like the skin of a peach, and her blonde hair cascaded down to her shoulders, with curls at the ends that gave her a playful and charming air.

Maria had a simple yet always cheerful personality, radiating a positive energy that was contagious to those around her. Her broad, genuine, and luminous smile had the power to light up any room and lift the spirits of her friends during the toughest moments. Always ready to help and share a kind word, Maria was a constant and comforting presence in Billy and Aiden’s lives, bringing warmth and joy to the orphanage. However, her curiosity soon surfaced, and she asked Billy about Aiden. At first, he tried to tell her that Aiden was just around somewhere, but she knew that Billy was lying and pressed him to tell the truth. Finally, he gave in and confessed that Aiden had escaped the day before.

“Oh! I see, so that dreamer and somewhat crazy boy managed to escape,” she said, half-happy and half-annoyed that he hadn’t gone with her. “Well, I’ll help you hide the secret, but it won’t be easy. Here comes the sister who takes attendance every day, and if she sees he’s not here, there will be trouble.”

“I know, I have an idea. When they call his name, we’ll say he went to the bathroom and suddenly got diarrhea,” Maria suggested, laughing mischievously.

“I don’t think they’ll believe that, and besides, everyone would make fun of him,” Billy replied, worried about how it might affect Aiden.

“Alright, no diarrhea,” she said, dissatisfied but resigned. “We’ll just say he went to the bathroom, and that’s it.”

Once they had their breakfast, they sat together at one of the tables with other classmates. At that moment, Sister Bertha entered to attend. Fortunately for them, the sister was busy with preparations and didn’t ask questions, accepting without suspicion the children’s excuse that their companion had gone to the bathroom.

After finishing breakfast and getting ready, all the children lined up in their impeccable outfits. The girls wore shiny black shoes, long white stockings to protect against the cold, a dark green skirt with stripes that fell just above the knees, a cream-colored long-sleeved blouse, a gray blazer that gave them a formal look, and a red tie that vividly contrasted with the rest of their attire. The boys wore gleaming black shoes, well-pressed dark green pants, cream-colored shirts, red ties, and gray blazers, all looking impeccable and ready for the day.

Mother Superior Ana, the same woman who had found Aiden on the orphanage doorstep years ago (though Aiden didn’t know this), took charge of organizing the children. Ana, a lady of at least fifty years, wore her green-and-cream habit, symbolizing her dedication and commitment to the order. She had been in charge of the orphanage for many years, ever since the previous mother superior had retired, and was known for her discipline and integrity. Though slightly short in stature, her presence was commanding due to her large, crystal-blue eyes, which seemed to see through people’s souls. Her skin was as white as ivory, and her brown hair, though unseen because she always wore her veil, added to her dignified appearance. Her veil was different from the others’, shaped like a dove with its wings spread, symbolizing peace and hope.

Ana moved with a grace and authority that inspired respect and obedience among the children. Her voice, though firm, carried a tone of warmth that reassured the little ones, letting them know they were in good hands. With a quick but thorough glance, she made sure everyone was in their place, ready for the day ahead. Every detail was under her control, from the alignment of the rows to the shine of their shoes, reflecting her tireless dedication and love for the children.

Ana began to speak to everyone in a firm yet warm voice, capturing the attention of each boy and girl:

"Boys and girls, today is a very important day for your lives. Today will be the day you find a home and can look forward to a future full of possibilities, so show your best selves. Always remember: Everyone has the opportunity for a new beginning. No matter where you are heading, if you move forward with love and happiness, you will always find a new dawn."

With those final words, she instructed everyone to head to the field to begin the event and welcome the potential candidates. The children moved with a mix of nervousness and excitement, forming orderly lines as they followed Mother Superior Ana. Maria and Billy, however, exchanged worried glances.

“Oh, Aiden, where could you be?” Maria whispered, her voice tinged with concern.

Meanwhile, in the same alley where everything had begun, Miss Marie arrived once again. She wore her impeccable black suit and brown coat, which fluttered slightly in the autumn wind. One of the workers, dressed in an equally dark suit, approached her and asked:

“Miss, how is the agent doing?”

“He’s reserved,” Marie replied in a neutral tone, though her eyes betrayed a hint of worry.

Another worker chimed in, clearly impressed:

“Wow! Miss, how quickly you arrived from the base.”

“Well, as you know, we have our resources and a great device for emergencies, though it can’t be used many times because it needs to recharge and is still under testing,” she explained calmly, though her posture suggested she didn’t want to divulge too many details.

She then turned to the six workers, all dressed in elegant, almost ceremonial black suits, and asked:

“Have you made any progress on the case?”

The workers lowered their gaze, uncomfortably, before responding in unison:

“Unfortunately, there’s none.”

Marie furrowed her brow slightly, deep in thought. After a few seconds, she declared with determination:

“The only thing left for us to do is call in an expert, one of the agents who can help us with this and is a skilled tracker.”

One of the workers began to speak, but before he could finish his sentence, Marie interrupted decisively:

“Yes, the best of them all. I’m talking about Agent B.”