Chapter 11: The Courage I Never Had

"What is happening in here? Can somebody explain?"

Children are encircling Ana together with a little boy whose hair is an ash grey hue. The boy was filled with scratches and small tiny leaves all around his body. Up above, a tree branch can be seen. Some of the leaves are scattered all over the ground too.

'He fell'

Oliver read the situation easily. For sure, it was the little boy who fell from that tree trunk. 

Anna was glaring at other kids who is standing with great arrogance. The little boy who was with Ana timidly stand up and wipe his clothes as if nothing happened.  

"Are you alright?"

"Yes"

"What happened?"

"He fell because he is stupid"

Ana walk in the direction of the boy who said that. Pointing her finger she angrily said,

"He fell because you hit him with a rock! He is not stupid. It is you who are!"

"Ana"

"What did you say?!"

About to hit ana, the little boy's arm was the one who received the slap. He blocks the hand of the arrogant boy without any hesitation.  Ana saw it and was about to cry because of what happened. 

"You brat. Who do you think you are?"

"Hey! Put me down you old fart!"

Oliver was displeased in the way the arrogant little boy acts. 'What kind of teachings did they implement for this brat to become like that?'

"Shut up. Will you?"

"Ahh, sister help me!"

"Oh my goodness, what happened in here?"

"Sister he is bullying me!"

The arrogant little brat shouted as if he is begging for the old sister to help him escape in Oliver's gasp. With that being said, the old lady didn't make any moves. She had hesitations about the actions she must take. How can she face Oliver if he is a potential benefactor of the Sunshine Orphanage? 

'Even if he is doing that to one of the children under my custody, it doesn't change the fact that I have no right to question his actions. Ahh, what a headache...'

The situation is getting tenser. 'It was a children's quarrel at first but how can I turn a blind eye if they are doing something like this?'

Glaring with a frightening smile, one can see how nervous and frightened the little kid is. The other youngsters show pity for the kid who bullied the two children but some find it wonderful for he will now learn a lesson about his silly actions.

'He always acts so arrogant, suits him'

'I told him so... he should have listened to me'

'Scary... thankfully I am not in his situation

'Maybe we should walk away from him or else they might think we are part of this

'He was... floating...'

"I assume Sister Evangeline won't mind if I teach this kid some good lesson..."

"Mr. Olive I show my greatest apologies about what happened. It is just a small children's fight isn't it? I presume you would forgive such act coming from small little kids..."

Trying to please Oliver, Sister Evangeline shows her sincerest smile as both of her hands are intertwined to each other for him to give them a pardon. With all those efforts of pleasing Oliver,  it doesn't change the fact that it is nothing but a mere fraud impression that Sister Evangeline is wearing. There is nothing about it that would make Oliver change his mind.

'What a waste...'

He thought. Looking at Ana who was standing behind the little boy, he finds it nostalgic as he sees his very own figure in the child's shoes. When he was a little he always find himself alone in a corner. No friends to talk to, no children to play with and most of all, no friend who will protect him. I once had a friend. He was a little younger than me. What a pity, if only... I have a sign of courage like that... if only... I stand to protect him... maybe he won't get mad at me and leave with a grudge at me. 

"Ana... what do you think we should do about this kid who bullied you?"

It was a silly question to ask. If a kid has a wave of anger with some other kids, she would surely answer something like...

"He must apologize for what he did"

Saying it with confidence,  Oliver felt silent for a second.

'I thought she would ask me to teach this kid a heavy lesson. Punch him, to him in a tree upside down, or put him in the middle of a lake full of crocodiles but... An apology...'

 A sweet and genuine smile crept into his lips that last for a small while. Soon after he realized what he is doing, he immediately turns his face back to his typical boring signature face.

Whenever anyone met the captivating orbs of his, they will immediately experience as if those orbs are scrutinizing their whole existence. That with a single wrong move, their worth will be cast away. His bored face makes him hard to reach for people find it domineering. As if he is a king from an ancient time where even the feeblest sign of umbrage, a guillotine will chop down their head.

 Herald silently looks at his boss. Analyzing the situation and checking out whether or not he will step in and help. 

The little boy was surprised about what Ana said.

"Apologize?"

He utter.

   Even the old lady was surprised by Ana's response. Still, she find relief in what Ana said. What a reasonable but straightforward answer.

'Such a nice child...' Or so she thought.

'Master will think Ana is a bad kid but... If only I am strong enough... If only I have power... I will not just let him apologize. I will put him in jail for what he did! Just like what master did to Tia... Hmnp!'

It seems like her hands are not turning numb for pointing out the arrogant little boy in Oliver's hands. He was picked up in his clothes just like a tissue on the hands of a noble person. Wiggling his feet he stopped as his eyes fell into Oliver's grimace.