Vu Jorr Orphanage 5

Meimei marveled at the sight of the market. The many goodies to eat, the wonderful array of fabrics and textiles. The beautiful songs being played in the background with so many instruments. If it wasn't for the fact that Alfa; and Joy, were holding her hand and leading her through the busy street, she would have been lost a long time ago.

"Hurry up, Mei," Joy squealed in excitement, dragging her along much faster. "We're almost there."

"Yeah," Alfa said with a smile, "We're almost there."

"Where are we going?" Meimei asked. But Alfa didn't reply. Meimei only had to follow them in silence.

Joy and Leo walked through the market, searching for the two young ones.

"Oh c'mon!" Leo cried out, "Where the hell did they go!?"

"Hell would I know." Peter said. "Just glad that they are in the market and not some other place."

"Oh wow!" Leo said, "Yeah, in a maze like this, they are going to be so easy to find."

"Don't worry, this place is a lot safer than the Upper Half."

"Oh wow. A lot safer, but I'll have to live with your stupid old man,"

"He's not that bad, Leo." Peter said, "I mean, he is kinda goofy but you'll get used to it."

"Goofy? Or hypocritical."

"Leo…"

"Yeah, he is a hypocrite. A big fat one at that. To a degree that I can't even stand it. He claims to be protecting the streets, the Below, yet purposely leaves out the other Halves to fend for themselves. If you ask me, I'd say he isn't much different from the …"

"I know, but at least it's better than being out there." Peter said. Leo looked at him briefly, before looking away. Deep down, Leo understood why Peter decided to stay with a man like Jarim. Unlike Leo, he didn't have the burden of a little brother to take care of. Both their parents were dead, their only benefactor was Madam Alicia, and because of her relation to the Orca, couldn't take care of them. So even if he had to go under the wing of a man who had the power to protect but chose to do it half-heartedly, in order to protect Joy, he'd do it. Without a second thought.

He on the other hand only had himself to think of. He could take care of himself till Madam Alicia decided to retire from her 'duties'. He had no one else to worry about.

"What about Meimei," Peter asked, as if he had read his mind.

"She isn't my problem." Leo said bluntly. "She's just some girl from the Above who is trying to get back. Judging from the way her mannerisms are, they'll come for her. No doubt."

"But she is your friend."

"No." Leo said, "She isn't. She is just someone that I unfortunately run into."

"She doesn't it that way."

"Then that's her problem, not mine." Leo looked up, at the old tower, "Let's go there."

"Why?"

"Do you even know Joy?" Leo asked, "He sure loves to explore, you know."

The view from the top of the tower was amazing. The entirety of the Below could be seen, leaving the young Meimei in awe.

"Amazing!" Meimei exclaimed. "So beautiful."

"I know." Alfa said

"It's not beautiful, it's cool!" Joy said with excitement. "But why are those places dark."

At the edge of the Zero Ground, there was an expanse of dark areas, not lit up by the bright lights as the Zero Ground had. Beyond that was the wastelands, a land of death and solace.

"The lights are off at this side too," Meimei said, pointing at the other side of the tower.

"That's Upper Half and the other side is Lower Half."

"Why are there no lights in those places?" Meimei asked. "Shouldn't all places have light to see at night?"

"The gangs took it away," Alfa said, "They wanted people to be afraid at night. Without light at night, you can't see were you are going. And then they are forced to stay in their rooms, or be attacked."

The three watched the town. Meimei looked on with a sense of sorrow. This place was so much different from her home. There was so much suffering here. So much pain. People like Leo had to live and survive everyday while people like her who lived in Everlast didn't worry about such things. The heroes, the Special Unit had been so concerned about keeping the peace in their continent that they had sidelined this place. They didn't even teach about this place in school.

Meimei wanted to help. She was strong, she knew that. But the people here were much scarier. They didn't have gifts, but they could hurt people all the same. Like what they did to Leo. Leo must have been different, he must have been kinder, and he must have been like her. It was the people that lived here that had made him that way.

"Do you think that the people here can change?"

Alfa looked at Meimei, who was still staring beyond the Below, into the cold expanse of snow and ice. She sighed.

"Yes. They can. But it'll need someone with the will and power to do so."

"There you are!"

Alfa, Meimei and Joy turned round to see Peter and Leo. Peter walked up to Joy, pulling his ear.

"Hey!" Joy whined.

"Don't run off in the middle of the night!" Peter scolded.

"He was with me." Alfa said

"Yeah, makes it safer," Leo said. Alfa rolled her eyes at Leo. She felt like hitting that sarcasm out of him. Meimei still stared into the expanse.

"C'mon, let's go. Before the old man wakes up and finds out that we left." Alfa said, "Shoveling snow, is not something I fancy."

The five kids walked down the stairs, Alfa and Peter leading the way, with Joy holding his brother's hand. Leo walked behind them all, Meimei in front of him. As they walked into the streets, they saw a beautiful sight; a display of fireworks in the air.

"Oh I forgot," Meimei said under her breath, "It's the beginning of the new year."

The five kids looked on at the fire work display, with awe in their eyes. And in Meimei, a resolve formed, one that would mark the beginning of her adventure.