As the new day dawns, it erases any trace of the chaotic, blaring night that had unfolded before. The sun ascends into the bright blue sky, unobstructed by clouds. Its rays spread across the land, casting a radiant glow.

     The day begins with its usual rhythm in the sprawling city that stretches for miles. Carriages and horses traverse the lengthy roads while men and women stroll along the sidewalks. Chimneys release dark ash smoke while flocks of sparrows gracefully soar above. Countless buildings populate the urban landscape, among them a towering adoption centre nestled amidst a row of establishments.

     The adoption centre stands tall with walls built from sturdy red bricks, emanating strength across multiple floors. Its flat, shiny roof mirrors the brilliant sunlight, casting a vibrant rainbow-like reflection. A grand entrance awaits ahead, boasting concrete steps and imposing double doors. The sheer size of the building demands attention from all who pass by on the street.

     Inside the adoption centre, a tranquil atmosphere roams every corner. Peace prevails as no disruptive noise echoes through the corridors. However, suddenly, laughter reverberates against the walls of the vast building, filling the air like a joyous ringing bell.

     A door swiftly burst open. Then, four children hastened out of the room, sprinting down the hallway. Giggles and laughter filled the air as they raced through the corridor.

     Among the group is Victoria, a young girl with fair, moonlit skin. Her wavy shoulder-length hair, as dark as freshly fallen volcanic ash, bounces with each stride she takes. Her radiant smile, accentuated by pearly white teeth, enhances the beauty of her ordinary yet captivating chocolate-brown eyes. As Victoria darts through the hallway, her knee-length stockings darken at the bottom, and her flowing chemise billows like white steam.

     Following closely behind Victoria is Albert, a lively boy with short ginger-autumn hair and a rosy complexion. His laughter rings out as tears of amusement escape his dark brown pupils, emphasizing the notable beauty mark beside his left eye. Like the other boys in the adoption centre, Albert sports a simple laced shirt, knee-length shorts, and stockings. Overwhelmed with joy, he squeezes his eyelids shut as he chuckles, running down the hall.

     Running alongside Victoria is her brother, George. He passes by the windows that cast a bright glow on his pale skin, causing his black hair to shimmer like a wet flint. Mid-sprint, he furtively glances behind him with his rich wood-brown eyes, checking for pursuers. With focus and increasing speed, his laughter grows boisterous, hurtling himself forward.

     Elizabeth, Albert's younger sister, lags slightly behind the group. Determined, she extends her arms forward and quickens her stride. As her pace hastens, her long waist-length hair, reminiscent of a ripe pumpkin's hue, springs against the back of her silky white chemise that blends with the colour of her skin. Sunlight filters through the windows, casting an enchanting glow on her eyes, resembling smoky quartz gems.

     The children giggle as they sprint down the seemingly endless hallway, their joyous hearts preventing exhaustion. Despite their rapid pace, each step seems to invigorate them further, sending tingling energy coursing through their skin. Their laughter reverberates, blending harmoniously with the rhythmic thud of their footsteps on the wooden floorboards.

    A maid with grey hair and a wrinkled face emerges, carefully balancing a circular tray stacked with delicate porcelain plates. She walks down the hall, her arms held stiffly as she navigates cautiously. As she is about to turn towards a doorway on her right, Victoria, Elizabeth, Albert, and George suddenly appear, nearly colliding with her as they rush past without a second thought.

     Startled, the maid recoils, her arms losing balance, and the plates on her tray threaten to slip. With quick reflexes, she steadies herself, straightening her posture and forearms before any items fall. Relieved, she lets out a sigh, her eyes momentarily shut.

     Victoria, Elizabeth, Albert, and George continued their spirited sprint down the adjacent hallway, oblivious to the commotion. Their giggles and joyful screams cut through the air as they ran. Their legs hurled them forward without a hint of considering stopping.

The maid turned around, her admonishing voice echoing forcefully from the depths of her lungs as she scolded the children. "Hey, you little rascals! Stop running in the halls!"

     With each passing second, the sight of the children laughing and playfully chasing one another alleviates the burden weighing on the maid's mind. The frustration that had gripped her begins to dissipate, replaced by a gentle smile that graces her face. A soft giggle escapes her lips as she turns towards the door, resuming her duties.

"Kids," she giggled.

     Victoria, Albert, and George lean against a wall, hiding themselves from someone. They hold their breaths in silence, glancing at each other. However, their stifled laughter cannot be contained as they desperately cover their mouths, trying to suppress their amusement.

     Victoria raises a finger to her lips, signalling the others to remain quiet. Slowly and cautiously, she inches towards the right side of the wall, where it meets its end. Peeking through a small gap, Victoria sees Elizabeth wandering nearby.

     Unexpectedly, Elizabeth whirls around and locks eyes with Victoria, pointing at her with a playful grin and furrowed brows. Without hesitation, she charges forward, arms outstretched. Victoria's laughter erupts into a mix of screams and giggles. In a flash, Victoria, Albert, and George dash away, their laughter trailing behind them as Elizabeth gives chase. Their joy remains unmarred by conflicting thoughts, their faces free from frowns.

     While the other children continue to play and chase one another, a young boy named Jean sits alone on the ground. He engrosses himself in doodling on a single sheet of paper, surrounded by scattered crayons of vibrant colours. His lightly tanned skin almost matches the hue of his sandy blonde hair that rests above his eyebrows, and his ordinary yet lucent brown eyes gleam like soil. Despite his quiet and reserved demeanour, Jean's heart brims with happiness.

     Jean sets the green crayon aside and reaches for a red one from the floor. He then begins drawing zigzag lines on the paper like an abstract painting. A broad smile spreads across his face, and he bites his lower lip in delight.