"C'mon, Sweetie."

"Daddy, where are we going? Are Mommy and Annie coming?"

"..."

"Daddy..."

"...No... They aren't coming."

Young Bella feared for her life as her father drove out the driveway, and along a route she had never seen before.

"Daddy... I don't want to go. I don't want to leave Mommy and Annie."

"..."

Her father refused to say anything until he pulled up to a faded crimson building, with a sign that read, " Herring's Orphanage."

"Where are we, Daddy?"

"This is your new home. Inside there is a keeper, and a key. You need both to get something you want, but the keeper is the only one who holds the key."

"What are you talking about, Daddy? Where is the keeper?"

"... He doesn't exist."

Now this upset little Bella, and she didn't know what to think. So all she did was sit quietly, waiting for him to do something.

"C'mon, Bells. Let's go get you a room."

With no further hesitation, Bella got out of the car, and carefully glanced to the trunk. Her father took out only her belongings, confusing the young child.

"Daddy's gonna get his stuff later. Kay, Bella?"

"Okay..."

Bella held on tightly to her father's hand, dragging a stuffed teddy bear in the other.

"Who is that Daddy?" Bella asked, letting go of his hand only to point at the orphan matron.

"That's the person who's going to take care of you...us."

Being so little, Bella didn't take that as a superstition. Let alone weird in the slightest.

"So you're the one who you're father's told me so much about. Don't worry. I'm sure we'll find you a caring, loving, family," said the matron, eyes glistening.

"Family? I already have a family. Daddy, Mommy, and Sister Annie."

"You didn't tell her?" The matron whispered, and Bella's father shook his head.

"Well, come on in Bella. I'm sure you'll make plenty of friends here. I'll take you're things. Keep walking straight, then go into the room right there."

Bella followed the matron's directions, and found herself in a cramp, poorly lit room. The window had several cracks in it, and the paint was peeling.

"Daddy? ...Daddy? Daddy!"

Bella ran out the room, and back through the main hall just to see her father departing.

"Bye, Bella."

"C'mon Bella! The boat's about to leave!"

Now seventeen – years - old, Bella felt no remorse over her father. She had been adopted six weeks after the event, by an old couple, at least in they're mid-sixties.

After boarding the cruise liner, Bella held on tightly to the edge railing, but found it useless soon after. She turned around, still holding the railing. But someone had incidentally ran into her, almost being knocked of the boat, but someone nearby steadied her.

"Careful there. I doubt the rails are what they use to be."

"Right, right. Thanks. I'm Bella, and you are...?"

"Sabrina. I work as an accountant for my father's mining company."

Sabrina had long shadowed hair, tied up with a pink bow, but that didn't seem to do anything. She wore wide-rimmed glasses, and a long, checked, pink dress. On top of it was a light jacket of similar color.

"Isn't it a bit warm to be wearing a scarf? Never mind. That's not my business. Err... I shouldn't ask, since it's a bit rude... But curiosity killed the cat. Are those your real parents?"

"No... Foster. I'm adopted. Also, I guess you're right about the scarf. I'm just too lazy to take it off."

Sabrina giggled at that, confusing Bella.

"What?"

"Nothing... Nothing."