He leaned against the wall, dressed in his usual attire of jeans, tank top, and trench coat. The ivy along the दीवार stretched around him as he watched her. His charge had been outside with the others, playing. He came out of the shadows, his प्रिय place to hide. She saw him and ran over.
“Terror!”
He squatted down in front of her so they were eye-level, a smile playing at his lips. Her smile was wide as she hugged him and pulled away.
“Hey Liz. What are आप doing?”
“I was on the swings!”
“Cool. How are those nightmares?”
He already knew the answer. He'd been in her room, watching her, for the past five nights. But he technically wasn't allowed in at night, so he couldn't tell her.
“Still there.”
“I'm sorry. They'll go away soon.”
“I hope so.”
The child's smile faded and she looked at him.
“Why hasn't Mama visited me? She promised to come as often as possible!”
“I know hon, but your mama's busy.”
“Doing what?”
“Helping others.”
“When will she be done?”
“Hard to say kid. Maybe a few और days.”
“Okay. Promise she'll come back?”
“I promise.”
“I miss her.”
“I know. Just hang in there.”
His eyes roamed over the other children in the orphanage. His eye caught hold of a teenaged boy about his age. Dark hair, shifty eyes. Terror narrowed his eyes before looking back at Lizzie.
“Do आप know that boy?” he asked.
“His name is Carter.”
“Hm. Don't trust him, Lizzie. या any of these other kids.”
“Why?”
“They have a dark aura that peers into the depths of their dark souls.”
“Okay Terror.”
She hugged him again and he returned it.
“May I go play now?”
“Go on Lizzie. But remember, trust no one.”
He placed a फूल in her hair before standing. Lizzie ran back to her group, returning to playing. Terror stepped back within the shadows, but he didn't disappear. He stayed, watching her. He knew not a single person on the team would heed his warning. He sighed. You fools have just brought on a war.