Tall Shrub Orphanage

[Woebegone]

"Tamina and I grew up here, we both came from this orphanage. We had so many happy memories here; We were so happy here that when we were signed up for adoption, we, instead, felt remorse rather than happiness.


15 years had passed since we were adopted, Tamina and I, after a long period of not even being in contact, met again under unexpected circumstances. We both visited the orphanage at the same time.


But something's wrong.


It's not like what it once was.


This was not our home back then.


The place Tamina and I considered to be our first home, is now abandoned...





But that's not all, we're about to find out why..."

 

[Woebegone]

​

Grace Frank


In front of Tall Shrub Orphanage


Wandering; Wondering


Along with: Tamina





"I'll be off mom, dad." Grace sluggishly got off of her parents' car, catching a glimpse of her mother as she rolled her eyes at her made Grace giggle. She knew they weren't the type of foster parents' that would abuse her, lucky for her but they weren't ones to spoil her either. She got her treats; She also got her own form of punishments. Those were the type of folks Mister and Mrs. Frank were. Waving to her parents one more time as she walked a few steps ahead, her foster parents had finally left her to re-visit the orphanage; Letting out a sigh of relief and pumping herself up as she heads toward her former home, Grace threaded the slope heading towards the orphanage.


Grace recalled a couple of her experiences at the orphanage back when she was 8. Tamina and her other friends would seldomly bully her for being so timid but she never hated them. Most of the kids at the orphanage were really nice to each other, seldomly fighting and more often than not does a fight occur, it almost gets resolved minutes later. Grace giggled as she continues to head towards the orphanage.


However, unfamiliar landscapes eventually interrupted her during her reminiscence, weeds stood out among the grass fields, it was apparent that it hadn't been maintained.


That's not right.





Back then, it was always clean and well-organized Sister Agnes and the other adults who ran the place were always keen on maintaining the place, they were strict on cleanliness rules too, Grace can clearly remember Josh, one of her old friends at the orphanage, being spanked really hard on the ass for littering; Littering in front of Sister Agnes too of all people. Sister Agnes had been the one and only strict adult in the premises, she's all about discipline as Grace herself can recall.


Well, there's only one way to know what really happened.


With the thought, Grace's small steps turned into scampers as she stalks the path to the orphanage. She can feel her heart slightly beating faster, the sweat from her neck slowly flowed towards her chest. Her breaths getting sharper and sharper for no odd reason. The thought of discovering what happened on her own seemed to trigger her cowardice but her curiosity kept her on her tracks.


At last, she arrived. Her sight betrayed what she had hoped for on her mind. The building appeared to be empty, the exterior painting of the house began to deteriorate. The park in front was almost unrecognizable with the weeds off the grass beneath it eating at the metallic frames of the swings and see-saw that she once enjoyed that are now maroon in color due to rust.


Crossing both of her arms at her chest. "What happened? This is terrible." Grace slightly murmured under her breath. But amidst the now unfamiliar home. Another sight caught her attention, this one is only slightly recognizable but she can clearly the figure's identity.


"Ta-Tamina?" called Grace.

 

[Songstress]

Tamina Garcia


at the playground


sitting on the swing


along with: Grace





Tamina parked her car near the orphanage. After she turned off her car, she went outside and felt the breezy wind passing through her skin. "Brr c-cold" She rubbed her hands for warmth and placed it on her cheeks. Right after that, Tamina wore her sweater and took her phone and bag. After closing the door of her car, she stayed still for a while and observed the orphanage. "I missed this but.. something is different." She narrowed her eyes and started to walk ahead the orphanage.


As Tamina was approaching the orphanage, she noticed that it was too quiet. It felt like it was already abandoned. Her heart started to feel heavy and the hairs on the back of her neck started to stand up. She went to the door and knocked but there was no answer. Tamina held the doorknob slowly and started to twist it. "I-Its locked." She then started to walk to the playground and sat on the swing.


Tamina sighed and swung for a bit. She felt like she lost one of the places where she belongs. It was her home then suddenly its now abandoned. "Why did this happened?" she said to herself.


She suddenly heard a familiar voice calling out to her. Tamina looked at where the voice came from and saw her childhood friend Grace. She stood from the swing and ran to her. "Grace?! Omg how are you?"

 

[Woebegone]

Grace Frank


In front of Tall Shrub Orphanage


Wandering; Wondering


Along with: Tamina





Grace was both shocked and surprised to see one of her old friends again. Being separated for 15 years can deal such a thing to anyone after all. She was a bit teary eyed and as expected, emotional to see Tamina of all people again. Of course, unlike the other orphans, no, Ex-orphans, she sees Tamina more as she does follow each program that Tamina might be guesting as. Still, that doesn't compare to actual physical contact with Tamina herself.


After a long bit of hugging, she finally brought herself to Tamina. "I'm fine! I'm fine!" Grace giggled, "I've missed you so much, what have you been doing?" she shook her head in contradiction to what she just said. "Rather, what are you doing here?" Grace followed.


But before Tamina could even answer her, a slightly quiet noise managed to disturb the two from their touching reunion.


The door creaked silently yet, it seemed so loud for quiet park. The door slightly opened, making faint creaking noises; Each creak sends the duo's skin shivering. The act of the door opening in such a slow manner was like one of those you would see in horror stories.





The two awaited for any other response from the wooden entrance but nothing else followed. Grace and Tamina's attentions were stuck on the door, watching if there would be anything else to happen.


It took a seconds before a thought slipped Grace's mind. "Do you think it could be Andrew and the others? Pranking us like the old times?" she slowly grabbed Tamina's hand though Grace's hand was far chillier than Tamina's. "Let's go check..." Grace requested.