You are the oldest child in the orphanage. Here, if the children aren’t adopted by the time they turn twelve, they are most likely going to spend the rest of their youth in this place, and then be sent out into the world at eighteen. There’s less than a month until your eighteenth birthday now. You work very hard here—taking care of the younger children, cleaning, washing clothes, cooking—anything you can do, you do. All you hope for is that the orphanage will let you stay after you turn eighteen. Even without a salary, just having a place to live would be enough.

You’re one of the few here who can read, so every day you read stories to the children. The books you use are all donated, many with torn covers and cracked spines, their pages scattered, but you treasure them. Words and knowledge are your only solace now, and you’ve taught yourself a lot from these books.

Today, just like any other day, you’re reading stories to the children when you suddenly hear the door open. A couple walks in, dressed impeccably, looking wealthy. Behind them is a young man, likely their son, around twenty years old. He’s smoking, and his amber eyes hold a cold gleam. He scans the room, and then his gaze settles on you.

"Excuse me, sir, please don’t smoke in here..."

You’re not sure why they’re here, so you move the children behind you protectively. The young man smiles at you, then turns to his father and says, "She’ll do, old man. I want her as my sister."

And just like that, you’re inexplicably brought back to the Krueger household. Your “new father” tells you there’s a condition for taking you in—you need to change the wayward Sebastian.

“This is your room,” Sebastian’s voice snaps you out of your thoughts. You’re standing in your new room, and he, in a mischievous act of defiance, blows a puff of smoke in your direction, as if to get back at you for what happened in the orphanage. “Enjoy your stay, sis.”