My heart beat increased as huge white mansion appeared in front of us. I was mentally bracing myself for this for whole six hour ride, but the sight of Wammy's house still took my breath away.

I can't do this. I can't.

I guess my emotions were visible on my face, since driver guy glared at me in his review mirror and grinned. Freaking sadistic bastard.

"Well, it sure is big." Miss Parker smiled at me. "It looks like a great place, doesn't it?"

I gave her a cold look- another one- and then locked my gaze on an enormous building. I was still nervous, but the fact I was still capable of making my social worker feel awkward came as a relief.

Guess I was a sadistic bastard myself.

So. About me.

Two days ago, I was nothing more than an ordinary fourteen year old (if you ignore the fact I was in senior year of high school- skipped a class or few), with big happy family, dog, and a name. Old man that came to talk to me- George or something- told me it was a good idea to go by a pseudonym once I was in Wammy's, so I don't see a point in mentioning it here.

Anyways, I had a normal, happy life two days ago. But two days ago, my home- my family- my life- it was all ruined in a fire.

I have no idea how it started. One moment, I was in a living room with my dad, and the next moment, heat was everywhere. Dad pushed me out through the window (since fire was blocking our way to the front doors) and then tried to get mom, my older brother Eric and baby sister Lilly. He failed. Obviously. I wouldn't be on my way to the orphanage if anyone in my family was still alive.

I was taken to a hospital, but besides a bruise covering half of my face (it was already fading, and it didn't even hurt anymore) and some burnt hair, I was perfectly fine. Miss Parker came to pick me up the next morning, but before she managed to take me anywhere, Roger guy appeared, and said I got into Wammy's.

"She's not ready." I still remember miss Parker's voice, arguing with Roger outside my room, not aware of the fact I can hear them. "She doesn't even talk. You can't just take her away!"

"I don't see how an ordinary orphanage will do any better." Roger's voice was calm- he reminded me of a grandparent, even though I've never had any. "It'll only put her abilities to waste. And she will talk, eventually. Her family just died. It's perfectly understandable she'll act a bit off for a couple of days."

"You can't take a traumatized teen to a gifted orphanage!" Miss Parker protested. "You don't get how adolescents work. Taking her to a competitive place like Wammy's house- I've heard the rumors, you know- could only cause her permanent damage."

"Miss-"

"I don't know if you are aware of it, but I am quite informed about you." Miss Parker cut him off. "Youngest kid you've taken to Wammy's House was nine. She's a fourteen year old. It's a massive difference."

"It was her father's wish-" Roger spoke so quietly I could hardly hear him. "-that his children will get best education they can."

And that made any argument miss Parker could offer invalid. At that state, if someone came to me saying my father wanted me to move to Russia and start my own mafia, I would. After all, my old life was burnt to dust, and all I got to keep were few of my father's shirts, single family album and box of mom's jewelry (my parent's bedroom was only room that wasn't completely destroyed).

So, I got off my bed, opened the doors, fed miss P five words ("I am going to Wammy's."), shut the doors, got to my bed, and continued being anti-social freak.

Wammy's house. I've never heard of it before, but Roger took the liberty of sitting next to my hospital bed, telling me about L (world's greatest detective, blah shit blah) and how in Wammy's they offer gifted orphans best education there can be given in order to make one of them suitable to inherit him.

And, as it seemed, I've just agreed to spend four years in there. It's pretty amazing how easily manipulated we can be.

We've reached the huge iron gates surrounding the Wammy's mansion. I've watched them open, feeling a bit dizzy.

I can't do this.

"Welcome to Wammy's, kid." Driver turned to wink at me, and then we entered the place I was to spend quite a while in.

"Welcome to Wammy's House." Roger smiled, sitting behind his enormous desk. "I hope you fit in nicely."

I nodded. I planned to start talking here- Roger seemed as a nice man (and even more like a man you wanted to be nice to you) and I didn't want to cause him any trouble, but I just couldn't force myself to make a sound.

"I think you could use a day to settle in, so I won't send you to your classes." Roger said. "I believe you'll be ready by tomorrow."

"Mister, it's way too-"

"Please, I have some experience with teenagers, okay?" Roger turned to face miss Parker. "Me and my people are quite capable to handle things from here. You are free to leave."

"I'm not going anywhere before I make sure she is taken good care of." She said. "Can I see her room?"

"Sure." Roger got up. "I was just about to take her there." He shot me a smile. "Shall we?"
I followed him wordlessly, hoping we won't meet any of the other kids in our way.

"What are the rooms like here, anyways?" Miss P asked.

"They contain two beds, two desk, and a single wardrobe. But since all rooms in female wing are filled, she will have the privilege of having a room for herself." Roger smiled to me again. It was a bit weird, but it also made me feel more comfortable.

Though I was still nervous as heck.

Roger led me to the end of a nice, caramel painted hall, and unlocked the doors 18. "So, this is it."

I peeked in. Room seemed all right, with white walls, two neat beds, one pretty big wardrobe, and two desk (pretty much what Roger said it is like). One of the desks had a night lamp and pile of books and notebooks on it- looks like they were well prepared for me.

"This is all you got with yourself?" Roger pointed at my small backpack. I nodded.

"She doesn't have much clothes." Miss P said. "We got her some, but that's not nearly enough-"

"Don't worry, miss." Roger smiled. "There is some clothes for her in the wardrobe. Most of children that arrive here come with less than her." He then turned to face me. "We didn't know what kind of clothes you like, so your wardrobe is pretty plain. If you'll dislike it, you can tell me, and we'll get you something better.

I nodded at him, hoping he can read how grateful I am from my facial expression. My tongue was still completely limp.

"Is that all?" Roger asked miss Parker.

"I guess." She looked at me nervously. "Have fun, Ch-"

"Don't say my name." I cut her off. Oh, here it is.

She stood stunned for a moment, but then she got together.

"I believe my job is over here." She said. "Good luck."

"Bye, miss." Roger waved at me and lead miss P out. "Dinner is at seven. I'll send someone to get you."

Five minutes before seven, I was sitting on my new bedroom's floor, staring aimlessly through the window. I had quite a nice view, actually- old oak three, it's leaves just turning yellow.

I've already gone through my wardrobe- socks, underwear, two well fitting jeans and set of black and white shirt and t-shirts. I've unpacked my stuff-more socks and underwear, toothbrush, hair brush, and an oversized hoodie- and now had nothing to do.

I bit my lip, wondering what will my new life will be like. But it made me even more nervous, so I stopped.

In five minutes, someone will come to take me to dinner- guess I'll get some hint there. And food. I felt a bit sick, but I guessed it was better if I came, even if it meant I'll just sit there, awkwardly gazing at other people.

Someone knocked on my doors. I took a deep breath, unsuccessfully tried to calm myself down, and opened the doors.

Well, sight wasn't really what I expected. Not like I expected anything. But the kid on my doorstep still managed to surprise me.

He was…well, white. His skin wasn't as pale as mine, but his white hair and white pajama (why was he wearing it, anyways?) made him seem awfully ghost like. His eyes were black, and his face gave away no emotion at all. In his left hand, he was holding a toy robot, while other one was busy twirling a lock of his hair.

"Hello." He said. His voice fitted his face- it was completely emotion free. "I am Near. You're the new girl?"

I nodded, staring at him in surprise.

"Follow me." He said, waving his arm at me. "I'll show you where you can get dinner."

So I followed him. It's not like I had much choice.

Both of us kept quiet until we reached massive cafeteria-like room. Near opened the doors, and I kept up with him, taking in the sight.

Room was big. Really big. There were rows and rows of separated tables, each one able to take six persons. Age of people in room varied between six and sixteen, and they were all sitting in small groups, biggest one consisting of four. It seemed like no one else had Near's aversion to colors (what was up with his name, anyways? I knew we were able to choose our own name, but seriously? Near?), though most of them looked bit unusual, hunched in unnatural position or dressed bit off. One guy had massive pilot-like goggles on, and guy beside him had short bob with straight bangs.

"Food line is there. It's free, obviously." Near sighed, still twirling his hair. "Welcome to Wammy's House."