Under the shadow of the fireplace, the children huddled together; this year's winter was colder than ever. Outside the window, it wasn't snow that flew in the air, but ash, and the world outside the orphanage was shrouded in thick fog, a dead silence, with the flying ash swirling in the sky after burning out.
This was the Pollica Orphanage, the warmest place for the children.
In the dim and indistinct light, the father sat calmly on a chair, slowly uncrossing his legs.
This was the first time the children saw the father's face clearly. Normally, they called someone else 'father' because she represented the father's intentions.
"Zongxi, tell Lividra to stop." The father cast a glance at the circle of children sitting around.
Among them, a girl with an octopus head was intently gnawing at her fingers, snot and blood mixing with the pale bones of her hand.
"Stupid glutton, so annoying!"
At this, a child wearing a white clerical robe mumbled with pursed lips, secretly cursing.
