The door of the Zoanthus Orphanage was slammed closed behind Marina as she stepped back inside, focusing hard on not tearing up.
The visitors' room you entered as you stepped into the orphanage doubled as a living room, where the two caretakers of the organization were often found. The younger of the two was taking a short break, reading a book. She jumped slightly at the harshness of the slammed door, and, seeing Marina drag her feet into the living room, stood up immediately to comfort her.
Marina had been returned.
Again.
How many people had "tried out" adopting her? There were too many to count. Every time, she was brought back with some kind of excuse.
"She's odd. I don't want a strange child."
"A weakling. She isn't fit for my household."
"She's…just not right. Something's off about her."
As the years passed, Marina had made friends, lost friends, made friends, lost friends. They had all been adopted. They were wanted…except one. The only other Octoling in the entire orphanage who had remained there throughout the years was a girl about the same age as Marina named Eloise.
Marina loved Eloise with all her heart. She clung onto her as if she were her life force.
Don't complain, the young Octoling reminded herself. You're lucky. You have Eloise, and a kind, loving caretaker.
Well, one of them was loving—Corinna. She was a tall Octoling with long, flowing, deep-red tentacles. She understood Marina, and knew how to comfort her when she was feeling down. Her older sister, the real head of the orphanage, was cold and harsh. She wasn't very fond of Marina at all.
Corinna rushed to Marina and swept her off the ground, giving her a tight hug. Marina sobbed silently in her arms.; she couldn't help it. This couple had seemed so happy with her. She felt home at last, and she had still been smiling brilliantly when they had "taken her to get ice cream". She should've known where they were actually headed.
Corinna loved Marina, but she was too young to adopt her herself. At least she would remain somewhat like an older sister figure to Marina.
She craned her neck to see the entryway, but the couple had left without an explanation.
Another rejection, she thought sadly. No child should have to go through this. She's only eight, and she's dealing with such an emotional rollercoaster.
She stroked Marina, and carried her to sit down on the sofa. While Marina calmed down, Corinna wondered about Marina's future.
The other couples were right; Marina was different from most Octolings. She thought differently, and Corinna could see it, even though the young Octoling was so little. She would do great things, and she was sure of it.
