Watcher

Chapter 8: Meaning of friendship

He explains life in an orphanage is very boring, it's like a bird in a cage. But luckily, He doesn’t alone in dealing with it. He has a good friend who is always there for him.

“Wow, you are so lucky someone like that.” Gideon smiles hearing Bradley's explanation. His face is gloomy a few minutes later. "But for me, I am just … alone ….”

“Hey, don’t be so sad. I'm sure you will have friends. Maybe you haven't gotten it yet."

A few minutes later, the sound of a dog barking is getting louder and louder. Bradley turns around and sees Madam Theresa's dog running toward him.

“Hey Wolfy, calm down,” Bradley says with a laugh. "You must be very happy after playing for a long time, right?"

"Is that your dog?" Gideon asked curiously.

"Oh, no. I just only assign to take the dog outside to play."

“Wow, I like dogs too. Can I?”

"Oh yeah. But, Wolfy can be very fierce to strangers," Bradley gives warning to him. "First time, Wolfy is very uncontrollable and maybe he will bite you."

However, Gideon touched Wolfy’s head, and a weird thing happens. Wolfy looks serene and doesn’t show any offensive moves. Bradley astonishes to see it because Wolfy seemed so obedient to Gideon’s word.

“Wow, you are such a dog handler.” Bradley claps her hands and sees Gideon.

"Yes, because I also have a dog too."

Gideon explains he has the same dog as Madam Theresa's, but of a different breed. His dog is a Malamute race, while Madam Theresa's dog is a Wolf hybrid.

“Wow, Gideon I don’t even know about that.” Bradley's eyes seem wide when he hears Gideon speaks like a pro. “How do you know all about it?”

"Because I often study it at home. I like animals, especially dogs,” he said follows by a big smile on his lips. "And I feel this dog starts to like you."

"Wait, what?” Bradley is silent. “But, how do you know?”

"This dog himself tells me," He said continuing to stroke Wolfy's head.

 Suddenly, Gideon’s eyeballs briefly change color from brown to dark yellow. Bradley is surprised.  He wants to ask directly ask Gideon, yet the color change is just so fast and temporary. It makes him even more curious.

A few minutes later, Gideon stands up from his chair and smiles at Bradley. “Thank you for helping me. I am very grateful for what happened today.”

"Oh yeah, I'm also glad we can meet," Bradley replies to Gideon's words with a smile. "Yeah, at least I'm not alone here in this place."

"See you later. We will meet again, I believe that.”

On the way home, Bradley still imagines Gideon’s eyes. He feels something strange about him. However, he probably assumes it is just because of the sunlight or something. Bradley finally arrives in front of the orphanage door.

“Wait a minute. Whose put this paper?” Bradley takes the notes pasted on the door. “Geez, it’s from Madam Theresa.

“Clean Wolfy, before comes in!”

"Argh! This old woman always makes my blood pressure rise.”

Bradley clenches his fists. His chest feels tight and his head starts to heat up. However, he must do it. It is so difficult against the old woman's will.

“You must calm down, buddy.”

He takes a deep breath and keeps repeating the words in his mind like a magic spell. It sounds ridiculous, yet it works. He feels more relaxed dan decides to carry Wolfy to clean up.

"All right Wolfy, time to take a shower.”

Bradley takes the hose and begins to spray Wolfy. Dust and dirt slowly disappear from Wolfy's body. He then brings Wolfy goes inside slowly opens the doorknob and steps inside. However, it turned out that Madam Theresa is waiting ahead.

“Bradley, why are you taking so long?” said Madam Theresa while checking her nails. She then walks to him and takes Wolfy's rope from her grip roughly. "Wolfy can get sick if he's outside for too long."

"Yes Madam, but I believe Wolfy is fine," said Anastasia defending her words.

"Hey! Who teaches you to speak like that!” She slaps Bradley’s cheek. "You've been taught manners, haven't you?"

“But I’m just …. “

His chest feels hot and her blood begins to flow until it reaches the crown of her head. Yet, he must be patient with it. His position is now less favorable. He takes a deep breath and holds his head down.

“Remember, this is my house! You must follow all my rules.” Madam Theresa raises her voice and staring Bradley.

Madam Theresa leaves and lets Bradley alone. A few minutes after Madam Theresa's footsteps don’t hear anymore, He runs to his room and immediately closes the door.

“Dammit! Why should I? Why!”

The words keep ringing in his mind. She treats like trash by Madam Theresa. It is so annoying. Shortly after, someone knocks on her door.

He walks through to the door and slowly opens it. There is a young man with yellow hair standing there.

"Brad, I just heard your voice with Madam Theresa." Caden enlarges her eyeballs and sees Brad's cheek. "Oh my gosh, Brad! What happened to you?"

" Yeah, you know Madam Theresa hits me." Bradley tries to lower Bianca’s voice. “But, It’s fine.”

"Brad, I’m sorry to hear that.” Caden furrows his eyebrows. "Hey, stay strong buddy.”

Suddenly, they hear someone screaming from downstairs. They stop talking and try to recognize the sound.

“Wait, the sound comes from downstairs, we should check it out.”

The two of them rush down the stairs with thunderous steps. It turns out comes from one of the orphanage children. Her face pales. A small wound is visible on her lips. Her pupils continue to dilate and cold sweat non-stop flowing also blood stains are clearly stuck to her shirt.

"Hey kid, what's wrong?" Bradley asks her.

The child slowly turns her head towards Anastasia. “Dorothy… is kidnapped by something.” Her hands still shaking non-stop. "I shouldn't have left her!" Her eyes look empty and hollow.

Bradley suddenly remembers what Mr. Paolo says. Now, this city is so dangerous.

***