Three men with minds full of questions about each other sat in a cold and silent room — there was not a single trace of emotion left in the air, only curiosity and the desire to know.
"Tell me, brother, why did you burn it? Not only Emma was a victim there; many other innocent children also died."Robert, who was bowing his head, spoke with a heavy, hoarse voice — but he still demanded an explanation from his brother about what had happened long ago.
"That was more than a decade ago, but the memory of that event is still as fresh as yesterday," Reginald said, looking at Robert, trying to give his younger brother an explanation."I still remember everything, even the smell of the coffee Mrs. Marry used to drink — maybe it's because of my sin that I remember that in detail but forget everything else."
Robert and Richard now looked into Reginald's eyes, searching for lies — but all they found was confusion, sadness, and guilt.
"Reginald Mayers, Richard Mayers, Robert Mayers—" Reginald paused, glancing at both of them alternately, "and Emma Mayers." His voice was soft and fragile, as if his greatest regret was in that last name.
"We were not born with the name MAYERS, and no one gave us that name — I made you use it because we were abandoned by our parents at that orphanage, MAYERS HOME," Reginald said, gazing at the ceiling as nostalgia pierced through space and time.
"Brother, if you can't talk about it now, maybe another time. At least we've met, and we can exchange numbers," Richard said, trying to ease the tension when he saw how burdened Reginald looked."Thank you, but I don't have much time left. It's now or never," Reginald replied softly but firmly.
"Richard, Robert, and Emma — the three of you aren't Asian. From your features and blond hair, anyone could tell that you three were foreigners, unlike me, a local boy."
Leaning back and staring at his two brothers, Reginald began his story."No one knows exactly how you three ended up there — but during our time in that place, we became close. And to become brothers and sister, there was only one thing we had in common — we were all thrown away and given names by those who abandoned us."
He paused, then continued.
"One day, precisely on April 17th, I still remember how the heat burned our skin, yet we kept playing in the yard — lying on the grass that Uncle Roy always trimmed. Sometimes Emma would complain that lying down made her skin red and itchy," Reginald smiled, half laughing, mentioning his beloved little sister.
Richard and Robert smiled too as they listened to Reginald's story. Those stories brought back nostalgia buried deep for so long.The pressure from work or the stress of the current case had drained all their energy; now, listening to their long-lost brother's story rekindled the childhood memories they were forced to bury too soon.
"Everything was fine until Emma was called by the orphanage caretaker, Mrs. Marry."Reginald's voice sank — full of anger, disappointment, and vengeance.Richard and Robert were surprised by this sudden change.But Richard had actually investigated what happened that night when the fire broke out at MAYERS. There was nothing odd — the newspapers even reported it as a short circuit. His investigation yielded nothing.
"Not long after Emma went inside, I followed because I was thirsty. You remember that, right?" Both nodded in response."When I was in the kitchen getting a drink, I ran into Emma again," Reginald continued his story."I asked her why Mrs. Marry had called her. What kind of mischief had she done this time?"Reginald clenched his fingers tightly as he spoke.
"But she said that a family from far away wanted to adopt her. As her brother, of course I felt happy for her — though also sad to lose a family member." Reginald spoke slowly so his brothers could digest every word.
"But that's good news, isn't it, brother? Why did you burn the orphanage just because Emma was getting a family?" Robert asked curiously."I was happy for her, so no, that's not why I burned it — I'm not that insane," Reginald answered immediately.
"As I said before, I was happy for my sister, so I hugged her, stroked her hair, and congratulated her," he paused, glancing at his brothers, who were staring back, waiting for him to continue."She told me not to tell you two — to keep it a secret," he continued. "Emma wanted to surprise both of you. That's why you never knew this before."
They both nodded in understanding, though pain filled their hearts.
"Not long after that, she went out again to play with you two. I went on to the kitchen to get a drink—" Reginald paused, staring deeply at both of them before continuing in a low, trembling voice filled with rage."And that's when I heard something vile being said by the orphanage caretaker — and that's what made me decide to burn that place to the ground, to turn it all into ashes."
He stopped. Silence filled the room.
"What was it, brother?" Robert asked, desperate to know what Reginald had heard that drove him to such madness."Hey, let's stop for now," Richard said, trying to protect his brother from the heavy emotions.
"I heard them talking — Mrs. Marry and a man," Reginald said, frowning, struggling to recall something buried deep in his memory."I didn't know who the man was; I only heard his voice. I pressed my ear against Mrs. Marry's door and heard this—"
Mrs. Marry: "Is she what you wanted?"
Mysterious Man: "Not what we wanted, but what our leader did — and yes, she's perfect."
Mrs. Marry: "Good. So, when will you take her?"
Mysterious Man: "Maybe tonight at 10."
Mrs. Marry: "I can dress her up to make her look pretty. Are you going to hold
the wedding right away? I heard your leader is quite old — how old is he again? Oh, yes, 61? And he's going to marry that child?"
Mysterious Man: "How old is she?"
Mrs. Marry: "Who? The girl? Hmm… around 12."
Mysterious Man: "That's enough."
Mrs. Marry: "Hmm… will there be a celebration?"
Mysterious Man: "You ask too many questions. Just do your job, and I'll take the girl tonight."
Thus was spoken what needed to be said.And it was revealed that the fire was not an act of cruelty, but an act of mercy from Reginald.