Whispers in the Dark

Chapter 3

A few days have passed since the police brought Hadrian to the orphanage.

Considering Riddle's behavior, he realized what wasn't "normal" in that short time range.

As much as he tried to hide it, he couldn't fool him.

Tom is a wizard.

Right now, it was after dinner.

All the kids were allowed to be outside for an hour before returning inside. Hadrian was leaning on the orphanage's wall while looking over at Tom.

He was sitting on a bench, reading a book at the back. Not long after, the Raven saw some older kids making their way to Riddle.

Raising an eyebrow, he unobtrusively follows the group but still makes sure to stay back.

"Riddle, hey Riddle!", one of them yelled.

Seemingly unbothered, the called one keeps reading his book.

"Freak! We're talking to you.", another one exclaims loudly.

Still receiving no answer made the group angry.
One of them grabbed the book from Tom's hands and threw it away.

Meanwhile, Riddle got up to get it back, but another shoved him to the ground.

A tall blonde, probably about 7 or 8 years old, looked down on him.

"What are you going to do about that now, Freak? Answer me!"

Still, Tom made no noise and laid still.
His angered mimic said more than words could.

His left knee started bleeding profusely;
you could only hear his heavy breathing.

The group formed a circle around him and started kicking his body.

Hadrian sighs softly and drives his hand through his hair.

'Guess I have to step in, with nonexistent chances
for a win.'

Approaching the circle quickly, he shoves the biggest boy away from Tom.

"What is your problem?"

"Get lost. The Freak deserves it.", the blonde replied angrily.

"How about you and your group get lost?
After all, you wouldn't want the matron to get mad
at you, isn't that right, Fabian?"
Hadrian gives him a cold glare.

As an answer, he got shoved. Fabian threw all of his weight on him and punched his face.

Hadrian spat on his face and used the now-showing opportunity to hit him back. As they both rangled on the ground, the group consisting of three other boys tried to help Fabian.

It seemed the impossible was happening, as Hadrian still had the upper hand. After kicking another boy in the shin, he gets violently attacked from the back.

The fight continued for a few more minutes until a worker came out and brought a distance between them.

Hadrian had a black eye, and his nose was bleeding while his right cheek had a big bruise already forming.

The others didn't look better for wear.

"What is this nonsense? Explain yourselves!"

Nobody said a word.

"You wanna play the silent game?
All right then. No Dinner for each of you for a week."

"But ma'am-" Fabian tried to interfere.

"No buts. It is your own fault."

"But.. but what about Riddle?"

"What about him?" the worker asks, annoyed.

"He started the fight!" Fabian's friend accused.

Looking over, all she saw was Riddle sitting on a bench nearby, reading his book.

"You wanna make two weeks out of it?"

"No, ma'am," the group spluttered.
Meanwhile, Hadrian just watched the situation
play out.

"Now go back inside. The free time is over."

Back in their rooms, Tom puts his book away and approaches Hadrian.

Clearing his throat and looking to the side,
he starts speaking.

"Call me Tom..", thinking for a moment, he adds, "Please."

"Then call me Hadrian."

Tom feels that strange feeling again.. and realizes
he doesn't want it to go away.