Pain I think I know the reason that I was transferred to the orphanage. But it still puzzles me. Because I remember where I started off. My house was always dirty and grubby- my sorry excuses for parents never bothered to clean it up. My throat always felt clogged and rough from breathing in too much cigarette smoke. My parents didn't have jobs, and were depressed because of it. Sometimes they took their depression out on me. Was it my fault? My father was restless- waiting for something to happen. But nothing would happen- no one would call him back when he applied for a job. Therefore, he'd yell at me and swear whenever he felt like it. Sometimes I used to go off into another room and cry. My Mother was all right- but I still wondered how she possibly could stand my father- she had to sleep in the same bed as he and sleep with her. It simply disgusted me. They used to fight. Sometimes my mother would get slapped in the face by my father's hand, callused from his constant smoking. Then my mother would hurl some disgusting words at my father. Was it right? Was it right to fight like that? Do all adults do it? I was somewhat relieved when my father went into a hacking cough heart attack and died. Then I remember the heat of the fire. The ashes from the cigarettes that Mother smoked were not disposed of properly. My mother stood in the kitchen, with the smoke rushing towards her. She told me to get out, and I did, worrying about her. Then the house collapsed with my mother in it before my shimmering eyes. Why? Then it seems like a flash when I was transported to the orphanage.

Matron was so decent and loving to each and every child at the orphanage. All the children my age would get together and play games that are now as I look back on them were pointless and silly. But at the time they were fun to me. The world seemed to smile, and all I felt was pain from my past life. And I was mean to the children who made me irritated, like Zell, the crybaby. And Squall was so aloof- and never talked to anyone. So I just did my best to get along with the others, except Zell and Squall, but I could easily flout them.

Then there was Ellone. Sis as we called her. She was so loving and kind to us, and Squall hogged her for himself- were they siblings? Then one day a soldier came and adopted Ellone. And then one by one, every one was adopted.