Sheets of snow piled on the rusted roof, through sub-zero temperatures, the children huddled together for warmth. Some glanced at the unopened door, most kept their eyes glued to the floor, shivering. Leo was no different, using his dirt-caked hands, he fastened the ripped blanket around him, hoping to get warmer.

  “A few more minutes” Leo thought, counting the seconds as they go by, distracting him from the cold. Bells chimed within the building, Leo and the children focused on the door.

  “178, 179, 180, 181- “. The door opened, an adult walked out and surveyed the group. The adult walked up to a pair of siblings, a boy and a girl. Obviously, the boy was older. He stepped in front of the girl. The adult screamed something out, but due to the snow and distance, Leo couldn’t make it out. Though he did know the adult wasn’t happy, his actions obviously reflected that. He harshly kicked the boy, leaving him in the snow, and walked back inside where the rest of the children followed. The sister trying to help her brother out, but she was too frail to lift him up. It seems like we all are…

  Leo got up and started to limp towards the door, he wanted nothing to do we those siblings. All until he heard cries,

  “Brother… Please… Help… My Brother…” She barely got it out and started to look at the other children, all not giving her a second glace. Leo was no different. Though he stopped dead on his tracks, and clenched his head.

  “Help… Them…” Leo clenched his teeth. This voice, who is it? What does it want? Just get out of my head!

  Leo tried to continue, but the pain persisted. He sighed and slowly limped towards the siblings, the sister taking notice and ushered her brother. Leo finally got to the siblings and grabbed the brother, too heavy.

  “You… grab your… brother’s… shoulder…”. The pain from hunger made it difficult for Leo to speak.

  Leo took the left side of the brother and the sister took the right side. Slowly, they started to drag the brother to the door. Leo started the think of stories, especially the story of Atlas, where he too must carry someone else’s weight. Leo looked over, the sister wasn’t looking to good either, but she looked determined. Leo decided to suck it up and walk, one step at a time.

  They finally got through the door where the adults where feeding the children. Leo and the sister set the brother on a table and lined up. Half a piece of black bread and a small scoop of soup, Leo seemed content, it was better than yesterday’s food. Leo was about of take a bite, then he suddenly had a thought. Maybe he should give the piece of bread to the siblings, they need it more than he did. Leo slapped himself on the wrist, has he finally gone crazy and trusting the voice inside his head? Leo decided to down the soup and almost bit the bread. Out of the corner of his vision, he saw the sister trying to feed the brother, giving most of her portion to him. Leo stood up and walked to them. This is my decision, not the stupid voice’s. Leo reached the sister and held out the bread.

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  “Here”

  The sister looked up, and Leo made eye contact. He quickly averted his gaze and continued to hold out the bread.

  “Thank… Thank you” Whispered the sister and grabbed the bread. The siblings quickly ate their lunch. After a few minutes, the bell struck.

  …

  Every child started to walk towards the classroom. Leo and the sister once again supporting the brother though unlike last time, it was easier since the brother was now fully conscious. They reached the classroom and sat down on the floor. The teacher came to the classroom, the same adult from this morning. Leo started doze off, he knew what was about to happen. The entire group of children, including Leo, were orphans, whether the parents died off, or left them, they were all dirty stupid orphans. The exact same lecture was engrained into the child’s mind, to find an adult willing the adopt them.

  “Why do you think we bother to keep you! For the money! If you can’t even bring someone to look at you, you’re worthless to us!”

  Leo knew how these rotten orphanages get their money, they just let people “adopt” children for a hefty price, the family gets a child, and the orphanage gets more money to repeat the cycle. He didn’t know how they used the money, but could easily guess that it’s used to satisfy the greed owner, since the building’s last repairs seemed to be decades ago.

  Leo smirked, why would any family want to adopt them? 300 gold per child? A child who hasn’t seen a bath in years, riddled in disease, probably disabled in a way, only the stupid rich would ever consider the idea.

  “Class dismissed! Now all of you go out there and attract a family!” The adult left the room, and rushed over to the main building, where Leo could hear cheers. What a joyful life, not having to care about food…

  Once all the children left the orphanage, the door behind them shut close again. Leo looked at the group of children, holding their blankets as they walk towards the towns. Leo sneered, pathetic. Though he probably didn’t look any better. Leo looked over the town and shook his head. He tried the town, too many times to count. The town’s people weren’t rich, they couldn’t pay to adopt them. Leo walked towards the forest, and once he was inside, ran. Every time he heard a voice, he hid behind a tree, a bush, or whatever covered him. The forest was a locked zone, only allowing people with a permit to pass. Why they did that? Probably to earn more money for the towns, but that’s what Leo thought. After a while, Leo made his way through the forest, without being spotted. Leo brushed of some leaves and started to walk in.

  “Time to start begging again” Leo thought

  Leo scouted out the classes. Low, middle, and high. The classes usually lived together, so it was easy to know who to target. Leo decided to target the middle class first.

  “Hello sir! I was wond- “

  “Scram kid!” The door slammed in front of his face…

  “Hello madam! I- “. The door slammed shut again…

  However, Leo didn’t quit, for that little chance.

  …

  It was the afternoon, still freezing, though the sun’s rays did help. Leo walked house to house, hoping one would give a chance, a just hear him out.

  Nothing.

  Leo kicked a pebble, letting out his frustration. He decided to sit on a bench, wondering to do next. Should he go back to the orphanage, with the probability that the one getting kicked next is him? Maybe. It’s better than starving to death. There were no more middle-class houses to check, all rejected him, and he didn’t even think about a high-class, he’s not stupid. Leo thought, and decided to go back, a physical beating is a physical beating.

  “Look… right…” This stupid voice again! Leo clenched his head, and tried to go to the forest, only making the pain sharper.

  “Fine” Leo yelled. He looked over to his right. A poster.

  It read, “Low class, middle class, high class, no matter, as long as you have magic, Come to our school!”

  Leo scratched his head and nervously laughed,

  “What does this say, I can’t read it”

  Leo than felt a sharp pain, like the voice in his head did a face palm.