Elements: Rise of The Destruction (Book 1)

Love and Care the Orphanage (Chapter 10)

"You know, we can introduce ourselves," Urana crosses her arms.

"Oh...it's a pleasure to meet all of you! Brenton talks about all of you so much, in fact, they're talking about you right now too," Carol smiles softly.

"He does?" Urana questions.

"They are?" Ava adds.

"Follow me, I'll take you to where they are. I'm Carol by the way," Carol introduces herself, then leads the way.

She takes them to a room with a sign on it.

'Brenton's room. Knock you guys.'

"Brenton has a room here?" Ava questions. Owen and Urana have a guess as to why but don't say anything.

"Brenton? It's Carol. Ava, Owen, and Urana are here," Carol knocks. They hear shuffling, then the door clicks open, with Brenton standing in the doorway and Alex sitting on the bed.

"What are you guys doing here?" Brenton narrows his eyes.

"We came to see you two. Is that a problem?" Urana asks, stepping closer.

Brenton sighs. "What can I say? Just come on in I guess," Brenton moves out of the doorway. Everyone then walks in, Carol whispers something to Brenton, then leaves.

"Alex! Are you okay?!" Ava rushes over and hugs him. Alex hugs back, tears coming back.

"Sorta...I guess," Alex replies, sniffling.

"Glad to hear it," Urana smiles, patting Alex's shoulder.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Owen asks, he takes off his hood, and a small shine of worry lights up his green-brown eyes.

"Yo...did Owen just take his hood off?" Brenton questions, in disbelief.

"He did.." Alex's voice trails off.

"Oh c'mon! Don't act so surprised," Owen grumbles.

"Sorry, it's just that you've never taken your hood off when we're with you," Ava let's go of Alex. Who holds onto her hand.

"I'm honestly surprised...you've only ever taken your hood off when we're alone," Urana says, looking a bit confused.

"Oooo, 'when we're alone'? What does that mean Urana?" Brenton teases. But his voice sounds heavy and forced.

"Dude. Not cool," Owen throws a glare at Brenton.

"Now why don't you tell us why you have a room here?" Urana brings up. The happiness on Brenton's face disappears. He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes.

"I'm an orphan...this is my home. Carol and Tyler raised me...the other kids here are my little siblings since I'm the oldest...making me their big brother," Brenton explains.

"It's really sweet how he takes care of everyone here," Alex comments, now lying down on the bed.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Ava questions, looking hurt.

"Because...I don't want you guys to look at me with pity...or any differently," Brenton looks away. "And this isn't the problem. Alex is who we should be focusing on."

"Brenton, we wouldn't do that," Owen puts a hand on his shoulder.

"But you are! I can tell you're looking at me with pity already!" Brenton lashes out, a flame burning on his spike.

"We're not! Stop thinking that way!" Ava calls out, getting up.

"We're supposed to trust each other. If you can't trust us to not look at you differently...then who will you trust?" Urana asks, her facial expression softens.