NOTE: R and R…the last chap before the epilogue.

Chapter 13: Reappearance of Joy

Isadora Q…continuation…

The wind blew back my short, dark locks as the morning breeze blow into the wide open window. For the first time since the Auditorium Fire, I smiled a genuine smile. I looked beyond the hedges and trees and saw the orphanage courtyard. There stood 5 people who never looked so happy in their whole lives. I clutched happily the notebook in my hands which I promised to show a certain Klaus Baudelaire. From that distance, I saw Duncan and Quigley toss Sunny into the air. Even if I was so far away, I could still hear the young girl's joyful squeal. Looking like a crazy school girl, I laughed to myself feeling the warm joy seeping through my body for the first time in years.

It has been 2 days since the Baudelaire found us. The administrator was kind enough to let them stay. Also, I just found out that they're changing the name of the orphanage since it's not owned by VFD anymore. Well, at least we're rid of that crazy organization. The Baudelaires were more than happy to stay in the orphanage until Violet comes of age. By then, she will be allowed to leave and take her siblings with her. Also, by then she could take my brothers and me!

I walked to the floor elevator and into the dorm lobby. From there, I ran out and passed the school building. It was situated just next to the courtyard. I skidded to a halt just a few meters from my friends.

"Isadora, what are you doing standing there? Come here," one of my brothers called out. But I didn't. Instead, I looked up to a small, marble balcony. I ran into the school building, past the passing teachers and orphans. I could hear the Baudelaires and my triplets calling out to me. Yet, I continued running, not minding the blur of people I occasionally bump into.

Finally, I reached the balcony. Once again, I breathed in the fresh morning air. This was my sanctuary before. I used to be here everyday when I arrived in the orphanage. I only stopped going here ever since the dreams came. As I leaned on the marble railing, I recalled the part of my past in the orphanage. They came pouring in like a flood from the mountains.

I remembered crying as I tried to remember what had happened to my life before. I remembered trying to break my skull on the cold, marble wall, hoping it will bring back a past I thought I never had. I remembered sharing sad laughs with my brothers as we spent our birthdays (only our birthdays, name and age were on the information that was sent about us) on the very balcony. I would go to this place if I ever argue with my brothers. I would even invite Diane here just to discuss matters I couldn't possible discuss with my triplets. I never thought that this place of misery would also become the place where I would watch the only family I have and my friends play and laugh once again.

"What are you doing here, Isy?" I turned around and found Klaus entering my safe haven.

"Nothing, I just thought I would go up here for a while. It used to be my favorite place in the whole orphanage."

"A sanctuary?" he asked.

"Well, I guess you could say that."

"I guess you really love open spaces."

I laughed merrily, "As a matter of fact, I do. It's a bit unbelievable since I spent a lot of time in that old hot air balloon with Hector and Duncan."

I heard him laugh, a small gesture but a big one for me. Two years ago, my brothers and I would do anything to hear even just his laugh.

"I missed you," I blurted out without thinking. When I realized what I said, I started to panic inwardly.

He just grinned back, "Well, I missed you too." There was an awkward silence.

"When I saw you in that fair, Isy, I thought I was dreaming. It was your voice that made me realize that I was awake," he explained, his blue eyes sinking deep into my dark ones.

"Yeah, I called your name didn't I?" I asked embarrassingly.

"Yes. But how? I thought you couldn't remember." He looked slightly confused now.

"I couldn't."

"But how?"

I looked at him and smile, "It was seeing you that made me."

Slowly, I entwined my hands into his, trying to savor all the good things I was currently having. Together, we watched as our siblings continued playing on the courtyard.

I hoped that this would last forever. I would like more than anything that nothing would come our way.

NOTE: Read the epilogue. Review pls.