"Nora. Nora."
Someone was whispering my name, but I couldn't see anyone. It was like someone was always jumping behind my back. The tiny voice kept whispering my name. I knew the voice, but I couldn't place it… Where have I heard that voice before? I closed my eyes and listened. It went quite. All of a sudden I could feel something on my forehead. It was ice cold and small. I opened my eyes and my gaze met two dark brown eyes.
"Sarah…" I said with a heavy breath after realizing it was all just a dream. "What are you doing in here? You should be in bed."
She was staring at the window. It was raining and you could see and hear the thunder. Sarah jumped in the bed and into my arms. Tears were flowing from her eyes, but she didn't make a sound. I didn't have to ask any more questions. Normally we weren't allowed to let the children sleep in our beds, but me and Sarah had always had a special connection. We were lying in bed for a good while, but I noticed that Sarah couldn't sleep. I got out of bed and went to the foot of my bed where I had a big box of things, old pictures, drawings and my most precious possession.
"This is Max." I told Sarah, holding an old stuffed bunny. "He's the only thing I have left from my parents. Just like you got your ring." She just looked at bunny without saying anything. I could see that she really wanted him. "He always made me feel better whenever I was sad or lonely. He never let me down." She had stopped crying and she looked a tiny bit brighter. "But I'm no longer sad or lonely or afraid… So I don't really need him anymore." My voice cracked a bit as I handed her the bunny. I didn't really mean what I said. I'm still sad, I'm still lonely, and I'm still afraid. And I don't think those feelings will ever go away.
Working the orphanage was a joy. I have been working here for about three years now. It was strange seeing the children come and go and remember that I used to be one of them. No one ever wanted me... If a child isn't adopted by the age of six, chances are they never will. Sarah is 10, I was her age when she came here and I've taken care of her ever since… I couldn't just leave her alone, not now.
There was a park nearby the orphanage. We were the only one who really used it, I have never seen anyone else than us in there. We were getting ready to go for a day in the park. It was a lovely day and the children were in good spirit. I went to the park before the others, just to make sure it was clean and quiet and so it was… Except for that big blue box.