January 1994

Merlin stared at the animal and smiled. He was smaller than expected, the woman at the pet shop said she had gotten the age mixed up. The dog was a husky, brown and grey with ice blue eyes and a black nose. She had a green collar around her neck, and Merlin had named her Excalibur the second, after the sword and he loved her to bits already.
He lay on his bed with his hands behind his head and his feet dangling off the edge. The dog sat above him, her hypnotising eyes staring into his own. Merlin knew that meant she was hungry, he had picked up on these little signals quickly. If he raised her left paw, she wanted a walk, if she nipped at your legs she wanted to be letter and if she just sat at your feet, looking at you, she was hungry. Reluctantly, he sat up and growled playfully at the dog before heading for the kitchen. There was nobody home; Gina was at work and Mordred had football practice, so he would be alone until 8pm at least. He liked being alone, it have him time to organise his thoughts.
He took the box of dog biscuits from the cupboard by the sink and poured a generous amount into Cali's (the nickname Merlin had given her) bowl. The dog mewled a thank you and dived in.
Leaning against the counter, Merlin stared out of the window. It had just turned Spring, and snow still covered the majority of the ground. He shut his eyes and let his head fall backwards. Snow reminded him of the orphanage, of his childhood and fe night that ended it. His memories were a muddle of fire alarms and fire. He remembers waking up and finding the room filled with thick black smoke. He remembers crawling to the door on his knees and reaching out for the door handle...

'Hello?!' The terrified child cried out, his hands hammering on the warm wooden door. He tried to find the doorknob, but it appeared to have disappeared. There was nothing but the smooth door. He opened his mouth to tell again, but instead he inhaled a mouthful of smoke and started choking. In the distance, he heard a dog howl and cry. He fell onto his stomach and tried to peer under the door, tried to see of anyone was in the hallway. There was nothing but blackness. But then he saw the light, shining in through the window. He turned his head to look but the smoke had begun to blind him. He gripped the carpet as tight as he could and slid himself forward, closer to the window. In the distance there was a cry, but not of a child, of a woman. Gripping the rig tighter, he squeezed his eyes shut an held his breath as he willed his arms to move him forward again. The light was becoming distant, as the dogs howl seemed louder. And then, his hand was no longer gripping the deep red carpet...

He was sat on the floor, his back against the fridge. Gina stood in front of him, looking down at him with confused eyes.
'M-Merlin?' She stammered, crouching down. Seeing the terrified look in her foster sons eyes, she pulled him into a hug.
'I'm sorry,' he whispered, over and over again. He felt Cali's wet nose against his cheek and have her a small smile.
'What happened, baby?' Gina whispered, pulling back and wiping the tears from Merlin's eyes.
'I thought... I thought I was back there.' He whimpered. 'I was back at the orphanage.'

'Hey there, twinkle toes.' A loud laugh came from behind him, and Merlin winced. Gwaine had taunted him from day one. He was a typical rugby lad; scruffy and tough and willing to pick on anyone as if his life depended on it. Merlin hated the boy, he'd never deny that.
'Hey, I'm talking to you!' Gwaine gripped his shoulder roughly and turned him around, pushing him back into the lockers.
'Get lost, Gwaine.' Merlin spat, straightening himself up. Gwaine chuckled and took a step forward, Merlin shrunk back.
'Why don't you make me.'
'Hey, princess, leave him alone!' Percival's voice echoed through the empty hall. 'You'll be late for class.'
As he watched Gwaine rush towards his friend, he felt the back I his head grow warm, as of his brain was heating up. He ran a hand through his hair and let out a shaky breath.

[[ hey :) thanks to all who are still reading this rubbish haha. I thoughtit was time to bring in some familiar names, and here they are. Please keep reading and reviewing, it really means a lot x ]]