This was a piece I wrote for a WriCon, I hope you enjoy reading it!

Theme: Rejoice in Hope
Genre: General Fiction
Word Count: 1,995
Title: No Longer A Stranger
Entry:

Growing in an orphanage was not easy. Each moment that passed by could break a child's heart. To see the others being adopted and your friends leaving you behind together with their new families, was a truth that nobody wanted to experience.

At first, I would cry and be sad because I was always left alone. I would ask the caretakers why nobody wanted to adopt me. There were also the days I would ask them why my parents abandoned me. But no matter how they gave me an explanation, I was never satisfied.

I was so full of bitterness that my days were full of angry tantrums and bloody fights. That must have been the reason why none of those couples that come and go wanted to adopt me because I was full of wounds and bruises. All I wanted was family, someone I can call mother and father, people that can fill the void in my heart. It never happened though.

Through the days, months and years that passed by, I learned to smile and congratulate those kids who had found a place they could call home, a place they could call theirs. I became quiet. I chose to stay by myself and pass the time in my own created loneliness. I then reached the age of ten, too old to be adopted and another reason why nobody wanted me, but despite the pain, I would still smile. I've lost all hope by then and I dare not hope again.

It was summer, I was sitting in our shared room and was looking out the window when a car entered the compound. A couple alighted from the vehicle and they were met by the director of the orphanage. They must have come to adopt.

"Miss Maria is calling us, you should come too big brother! This might be your chance. I heard that the couple wasn't particular with the age of the child they wanted to adopt!" One of the younger boys in our room came running to me with a silly grin on his face.

I sighed and ruffled his hair before standing up to go together with him. "Marcus, you should think about yourself before thinking of others. I don't want you to stay here in this place and be left out. Make sure to behave when they make their rounds, alright?"

I don't want to expect so instead of thinking about how I could be adopted, I was making sure that the younger ones would get adopted first. I could wait a few more years and leave this place once I turn eighteen, maybe I could also be happy in another place.

We lined up just like how we always do and as usual the director would recommend children and would try to convince the couple to choose from them. They took a look at us and when they came in front of me, I heard the director telling them details about me. As always, the couple didn't give me a second glance, just as I expected.

The couple visited for a couple more days and on the last day of their visit, they made their decision which shocked the employees and the director. The news also made me question if they were in their right mind.

Everything happened so fast that I did not have the time to digest all of it. All my things were packed and I rode their car to their house. I was still overwhelmed that time but once I stepped in that place, I could feel the tears trickling down my face.

It was the happiest day of my life. They even hugged and comforted me when they saw that I was crying. The warmth from those hands was something I never dreamed of having.

Catherine and Lucas were wonderful parents. They never let me feel that I was not their flesh and blood. It was a dream come true, a dream that I wish would never end but reality woke me up with a slap.

Catherine couldn't give birth that was why they chose to adopt but after only two years of staying with them, she became pregnant. I could see how happy they were, the sparkle in their eyes couldn't hide that fact. I, I was disappointed and sad and yet I tried to be happy with them.

I knew that when their child was born, this place would not be mine alone. I hoped and hoped that I could stay a little bit longer within their warmth but when reality hits hard, it would beat you down until you couldn't get up.

Even their promise of treating me as their own son made my heart flutter. It was a light in the darkest of my nights. I was holding on to that like my life depended on it.

And then the child came, she was a lovely girl. She got her mother's bright hazel eyes and her father's warm smile. She looked a lot like them, a reminder to me that I can never be their real child. That hope I was holding onto vanished in an instant. Catherine and Lucas's attention were given to Eliza. I could never blame them though because she was their child and me, I was just an outsider.

"Isn't she beautiful? In the future, you should protect her," Catherine once said and all I could do was nod and smile.

Yes, I know I should protect her but at every moment that I saw her, the pain in my chest wouldn't go away. Gradually, I forced myself to accept this reality and distanced myself from them. I would never tell them about activities at school and would just tell the teachers that they were busy. This went on without them noticing and it made the ache unbearable.

Eliza slowly grew into a cheerful girl and everytime she called me big brother, it would put a smile on my face and at the same time there would be a dull ache in my heart. Lucas became busy with his business while Catherine was focused on taking care of that sweet little girl. I, on the other hand, stopped hoping.

At 23, my life with them would finally end. I earned myself some money and saved some from my allowances. I knew that that place was not where I belong. It was only wishful thinking from a lonely child. It was best if I didn't impose on them any longer. It was enough that they had provided me with all my daily needs, fed me and clothed me. I am truly grateful to them.

I left after my graduation with only the clothes I was wearing and the money I earned. I didn't deserve anything else in that house. They would still live happily even without me. I should move on with my life too.

I went to a place far away from them. Started my life once again and found a small place that I called home just to deceive myself that I am happy. It was difficult because I was alone and I didn't know anyone but like what I did in the past, I got used to it. I worked and went home everyday. I don't have friends nor acquaintances who would call me out for a party. Well, I expected that because who on earth would even want to be friends with a gloomy guy like me.

My days passed just like that and in the blink of an eye, one year had passed. There were times that I would wonder if they ever missed me? If they were worried because I suddenly disappeared? If they tried looking for me? Then I would realize that it was impossible.

"Tony," a voice I hadn't heard for so long called out to me.

The fear that I am only imagining things ate at me as I refused to turn around. I didn't want to hope only for it to be crushed once again but the moment that voice called out to me once again, my body moved on its own.

"Anthony," the soft voice that would call me gently when I was a child caressed my being.

The moment I looked back, I saw her. She hasn't changed and even the warm smile on her face still brought me comfort. I looked away because I was embarrassed because I don't deserve that smile.

"Lucas and I want to talk to you for a moment, can we?" she asked and without thinking about it I nodded.

I looked at the car and saw him in there before I turned my gaze away. I coughed for a second to stop the tears that were about to fall. I stiffly turned around and went back to where I was staying. I heard the car door opening and closing but I didn't look back.

We were silent for a while as we sat in my small living room. The both of them had smiles on their faces as if they were glad to see me but it only made me guilty.

"So, what is it?" I held myself and tried not to give away the nervousness I was feeling. Luckily my voice didn't tremble.

"We just want to ask if you are doing well because you suddenly left with only that letter you left behind," this time it was Lucas who spoke. He was not angry and I didn't understand why?

"I just thought that I should go. I apologize for not telling you in person," my voice almost cracked.

I thought that when I saw them again, I wouldn't feel anything but right now, all the emotions I have been holding back were surging like a tsunami ready to swallow me.

"We looked for you all over the place. Eliza couldn't stop crying when we realized that you were not coming back. I-I..." Her tears started to fall down and I saw him taking her hand and squeezing them gently.

"We are here to apologize for everything that we lacked. It is our fault. We even promise you that nothing will change even after Eliza is born. We are really lacking as parents that we did not even notice that our child is going through something and that it is because of us." I could feel the regret in his voice.

It was not their fault. It was mine. "I should be the one apologizing. I have been imposing on you for so long even though I am just a stranger you brought to your home..." Before I could continue I felt a warm arm hugging me.

"You were never a stranger, Anthony. You are our child even if you are not of our blood. You are my precious child and I am sorry for making you feel that you are not part of our family. We are your family Anthony, no matter what you think." Her gentle and cracking voice pierced my heart. Those were the words I longed to hear.

"I-I..." I couldn't continue because the tears I have been holding back for so long spilled as I hugged her tightly. I never cried like this ever since that day when I first stepped inside that home, my home.

We cried our hearts out that day. Maybe it was just my pride or my insecurities that forced me to think that I was not loved and that I did not belong anywhere. But after pouring our hearts, even with the unsaid words, I knew that I had a place I could call my home. I had a place where I belong and a place where I could be happy.

Now, all my insecurities were washed because of the family I found. I could now call Catherine mother and Lucas father and Eliza my sweet little sister. I was finally home. I am no longer a stranger.