The moment Damon stepped past the entrance, the atmosphere changed completely, the lively noise from outside giving way to a space that felt worn and fragile beneath its surface energy, the orphanage interior revealing cracked walls patched over with uneven plaster, wooden beams that had aged far beyond their intended years, and furniture that looked as though it had been repaired countless times just to remain usable.
Despite that—
Life filled the place.
Children ran through the narrow corridors and open hall, their voices echoing as they chased one another, some laughing loudly, others arguing over trivial things, while a few sat in corners playing with whatever they could find, their clothes simple and worn, yet their expressions bright with unfiltered emotion.
