[b][centre][h2][color=0072bc]Prologue[/color][/h2][/centre][/b] 
[hr][b][color=0072bc]The Orphanage[/color] [/b]
[b][i][color=0072bc]An hour after Fritz's death[/color][/i][/b]
[hr]
The single candle which flickered on the table’s surface was insufficient to illuminate the entirety of the Orphanage’s dinner hall, but it was enough to give everyone present a general sense of direction and help discern each child’s position. Many of the faces revealed by the dim light still carried the signs of crying, and from time to time a muffled sound would spread through the hall as one of the children fought back another bout tears. Decisions had to be made. 

Present in the dining hall were the oldest children or those who have shown wisdom above their age, or some are simply there because they were curious and others didn’t notice their presence. They all gathered here at the behest of Mary. She didn’t clarify the reason but it didn’t take a genius to figure out what was the purpose, so soon after Fritz passed away. Right now she was standing at the head of the long table, with the rest of the children sitting or standing on the sides. 

[b]“We need to decide what to do now.”[/b] Mary spoke to the other orphans. Her voice was still shaky, from fear as much as from sadness. [b]“I know it is hard right now to think about anything else besides grandfather Fritz’s death, but we must talk about this.”[/b]

She raised her voice by the end of the sentence and gave each child present a stern look that was still somehow visible in spite of the lack of light. Clenching her fist at her chest she continued to speak. 

[b]“Other gangs will come for us. It is no secret that the only reason they have left this island alone for so long is because they feared grandfather. He defeated them many times and eventually they all stopped trying, but that doesn’t mean that they gave up on it. Now that grandfather is dead it is only the matter of time before some gang decides to stake their claim. So we need to agree on how to react when that time comes. 

“Now, I know I am the oldest, but I also know that many of you have been through a lot before coming to the island. I have spent all of my life here and I never had to fight for my survival like many of you did. That is why I am asking you for your thoughts. What do you think we should do now?”[/b]