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Markus

"Markus the naughty boy has done it again!" Deep brown eyes stared at him shrewdly, lips curving with malice. The ten-year-old boy rested his slender hip on the kitchen counter and wagged a condemning finger at Markus to spite him, "Tsk, tsk!".

"Go eat some socks Canni!" Markus snapped. He was halfway through cleaning the kitchen as per madam Jaqlean's order. The task didn't still his raging core yet, and to make matters worse his enemy always found a way to sneak behind the adults back to gloat at Markus and add more salt to the open wound.

Better strike while the iron is still hot!

That's Canni mantra! The ten-years-old giant with his twisted humor has earned him the title of Canni, short for cannibal. And how fitting that is! The ten-year-old tall slender frame coupled with his maliciousness and jealousy made him the bully everyone feared at the orphanage. His lust for nibbling on their raw flesh after a good beating - which they earn from the master directly upon committing any mistake - adding more pain and suffering to their frail mind and body has earned him the cannibal title.

"You look like you need that more than I do!" He mocked a sympathetic glance and pouted his lips. "Your big mouth is getting you into trouble again Mady! How about I help you with that -" he extended his hand and showed him a dirty rag, "See, I came prepared! Aren't I a delightful friend!"

"Screw you, cannibal! You sick twisted beast!"

"How hurtful! Is that how you treat the only friend who comes to your aid when you are in need? I told you I came to help. The taste might not be good but it will do to keep you out of trouble. No need for thanks, I'm always there for you bud." Canni snickered.

Markus's fist begged to give Cody's cheek a rough kiss, but he restrained himself. He didn't want to add more wood to the already raging fire. Master Adam is already pissed at him, no need to make him angrier than he is.

"What? No cursing, punching, or kicking? I'm disappointed in you Mady boy!"

Markus was about to retaliate when he heard a small whimper coming from the door. His eyes took in the small figure clutching the door fearfully and his rage dwindled some.

Even Canni seemed reluctant to pursue his spite.

"Leave,"

Canni seemed to hesitate for a moment, his eyes darting toward the soft fearful eyes of the four-years-old dwarf. His eyes flickered with uncertainty and then he relented and took his leave without a word.

"Come here, Zayn!" Markus opened up his arms to the small bundle of innocence.

Zayn rushed to his brother's embrace with urgent need. His small brown eyes blinked diamonds that threatened to spill, his lips trembling softly emitting small, pathetic, incoherent sounds.

Markus clutched his brother with urgency, seeking comfort and calmness from their embrace. Even though Zayn is not his brother in blood, he felt a kinship toward the lonely, abandoned, and pitiful boy. And that prompted Markus to claim him as his sibling.

Whether it is to provide measly protection as one of the oldest kids in the orphanage - he and Cody are the eldest among Haven orphanage children - or because he felt pity toward him remains irrelevant, for his heart has already staked his claim on the boy since the first time he caught sight of him cowering alone in a corner. So he became his protector. His big brother.

Everyone had a soft spot for Zayn for being the youngest and the most vulnerable of the bunch. The scar on his throat earned him sympathetic glances from everyone except the adults who ruled the house.

Despite the kids' pity, none dare approaches him which encouraged Markus to take the youngling under his wing.

Markus has never considered his brother's inability to talk as a blessing until recently. His small silent form cast him from the adult gaze sparing him from punishment. Only occasionally when they wanted to hurt Markus truly, they picked on Zayn.

"It's okay midget. Everything will be fine." He caressed his brothers' back lovingly conveying his assurance through physical touch.

Zayn whimpers stopped after a short while, yet he remained in his brother's lap, cocooned with a much needed yet deprived loved.

"Now midget, you need to go back to bed. Tomorrow you have to wake up early."

Zayn shook his head stubbornly, pouting like a baby, but Markus insisted and shot his brother a commanding glare only older siblings can grace their young ones with. Zayn huffed and stalked back to his bed, his shoulders slumping with sadness while his face adopted sulking and defeated expression.

Markus noticed his brother's gloominess and sighed. He went to his chores with thoughts burdening his mind and heart.

How can he keep living this way? Is this what his next years will hold? Chores, Sadness, quarrels, and punishment.

Until when can he keep at this? Playing the knight and guardian of the children when he can't even protect himself?

Until when would he be able to stay sane enough to be of any comfort to his brother?

Time passed with no soul in sight but Markus and his dark thoughts. When the clock showed 3 am, he was finished with all his tasks, setting off to meet the headmaster.

Now, the real punishment will begin.

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Cody

"Finished your house chores Mady boy!" Cody snickered as Markus entered the corridor with a sullen expression not noticing the demanding presence of the headmaster, who was steering Markus with a vice grip on his shoulder, until its too late.

"What the fuck are you still doing here boy?! Get out of my sight!" Master Adam sneered at Cody.

"But boss! I just cam-"

"No buts you dimwit! I don't have time for you now, I've got to put my whip to use," the wicked man cut him with a deadly voice.

Both youngsters whimpered, Markus figure shook with fear and Cody almost felt sorry for him.

He knew how hard life is at the orphanage -he has tasted it first hand as the oldest child present. He was forced to do things no child should attempt.

Even though he and Markus are of the same age - only a couple of months between them - Cody was the one who shouldered most of Master Adam's commands. This is one of the reasons he hated Markus. However, in situations like these, Cody wasn't completely heartless as many imagine him to be, his anger flared toward the headmaster's evilness, but he swallowed his anger bitterly.

After all, he is master Adam's tool and Markus enemy. What good would it do him to stand up against the main bully in the house and side up with a kid who doesn't understand him...hate him?

He might not like Markus, but he abhors master Adam and whenever one of the children got punished he felt this burning fury inside his gut that threatened to explode.

Markus was his nemesis who he shared a common dislike with, but master Adam is an all-time villain who thrived on instilling fear and pain and all the kids hate him. He didn't know how the town folks didn't see him for the devil he is.

Didn't people see the villain all haven orphans saw?

The wicked and sleazy gleam that resides in his eyes?

The twitching of his fingers that have dealt so much pain and scars?

Cody spared Markus one last glance before he scurried out of the hallway toward his room

I guess they don't trouble themselves with the rats of society. He mentally scoffed, bitterly.

Cody sighed and flopped on his mattress. The room is more like a shoebox. A tiny space with only a single mattress infested with God knows what. It used to be a closet for detergents and cleaning supplies but master Adam had ordered him to sleep in it.

When he first announced to the kids that Cody will stop sleeping in the same room as them, all gazed at him in shock and awe. As if he had accomplished an amazing feat.

Little did they know it was a planned scheme made by their tormentor.

He treated Cody as a 'special' child. Made them think he was his favorite pupil...in a way he was. After all, Cody is his toy to manipulate. Through him, he filled his pockets, established discipline, and ruled the household.

Cody wished for a protector, a savior...a freakin' sober eyed human being who could see his situation for what it is: A cage.

Sometimes he felt angry, frustrated, and hopeless when the other kids thought him lucky to have the master's favor, but then he is thankful for the kids' naivety. They don't know about what he is truly going through, as it should upon the master's command and even if they did know, they can't do anything about it. The knowledge will only depress them more.

Sometimes oblivion is truly a bliss.

One day, out of the blue, master Adam announced Cody a 'responsible grown-up' who deserves his own room. Even though Cody at that time was a nine-year-old child, far away from being responsible or an adult. He was clever though, despite the continuous demeaning comments about his wits from the master. He wasn't fooled. He knew it was one of the master's endless schemes. Unfortunately, Cody, almost every time finds himself the main player in the master's despicable games.

His motives became certain when he forced Cody to steal and provide a steady stream of income in exchange for the master's generosity. "You are too old for this place, boy. If you don't want to end up on the streets, sifting through trash for meals, you better heed my instructions and follow them to the dot. Otherwise, there'll be consequences."

That day was the mark that sealed Cody's fate.

Another brand was ingrained in his soul. Another title was added to his distorted spirit.

He was not only the filthy, dim-witted, freaky orphan but now he is also a thief.

Cody, of course, knew that master Adam had an agenda of his own. His sweet talk was nothing but honeyed words.

He knew he was a sheep, coddled, and glorified until it was time for slaughter.

Master Adam's plan was brilliant. He wanted to isolate Cody from the other kids and force him to do his nocturnal bidding.

By doing that, he would maintain his image as a loving headmaster (by giving the kids hope of getting better treatment, gifts, and care), keeping the kids in line and within his grip; at the same time sustain his greed.

Heavy footsteps resounded in the silent house, pulling Cody from his walk down the memory lane and from his mattress.

He opened the door as silently as he could and took a careful peek.

"Markus!" He whispered.

He saw Markus stiffen at his voice.

"What do you want Cody? I have neither the time nor the energy to deal with you." He said and started to limp forward.

Limp?

"Markus, what the hell happened to-"

"Leave it be Cody! It's not like you care." Markus hissed hatefully.

"I don't." Cody grimly stated. "What did he do?" He questioned soberly.

Markus gazed at Cody for a second longer, then he sighed and turned toward him with a blank expression. "What do you think he did?"

Cody gulped and looked at his feet. "How bad is it?"

"Bad,"

Cody's fist clenched until his nails drew blood. That son of a whore.

"Why are you asking?" Markus eyed him curiously.

Cody fidget under his scrutiny. He was supposed to be the old one here, but Markus sometimes made him feel like a naughty kid... another reason to add to the long list of why he hates him.

"No reason."

He then scurried like a rodent on crack, leaving Markus standing alone with a puzzled expression on his face. Then, he shrugged and went to sleep in order to try to forget and lick his wounds.

Hiya! Whad'ya think? ;)

It seems that Cody is getting soft?...or he just realized that he and Markus are on the same boat!

Things aren't what it seems! A saying we take lightly. Instead, we are too hasty to judge.

What do you think about Cody and Markus so far? Any thoughts about them?

In every new chapter, we shall discover more about our characters and with it, we can understand the reason behind their actions better.

After all, this is not a story where things are black and white. There are tons of grey shades and even the most heartless villain has a background story and issues that made him what he is.

Look forward to the next chapter, we will meet new characters. Yay!

I hope you are loving the story so far. If so, consider giving it a vote. Comments are also appreciated, so please don't hold back :D

The chapter is unedited, sorry for the mistakes.

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Eva