Another crash of thunder echoed throughout the ancient building.

The rain came down heavily, smashing so hard against the glass one felt they would break through it. All throughout the orphanage the wind could be heard howling in an agonizing cry, enough to terrify even the bravest of souls. The darkened windows were at once illuminated by the ever flashing lightning, lighting the rooms with a ghostly pallor.

Most of the children were tucked up in bed, some already asleep, some trying to hide beneath the covers. Some even clung desperately to their carers, terrified by the storm.

One stood wide awake before a large window, staring into the raging darkness outside.

Lolita watched the storm get heavier, her dark eyes glowing with every flash of lightening. A pale hand rested on the window, ignoring the cold that sent shivers along her flesh. A small smile tugged at her lips as her eyes surveyed nature's chaos, remembering that it was this force, this power, that brought him here... that brought him to her...

"With the storm comes sunshine to wash away all your troubles..." She murmured softly.

"We do this for you and you alone."

Kain sat on his bed, staring out the window. He hated all these loud noises. If he could, he wanted to throw something at the window. He sighed ignoring everyone else and pulled his head phones up. He made sure to put the music loud, just to block out all that noises. Though for some reason, he found himself staring out the window once more. It was just a normal storm... well at least that's what the others might think.
Kain didnt like this feeling. It was as if something or someone was watching him. It sent chills down his spine, but didnt show it. His face expression remained blank, his eyes never leaving the window. Finally, he looked away when he felt a tug behind him. A little boy, maybe around 5 or 6 was tugging at his shirt.
"Kain... I'm scared.." he said moving closer as he saw another flash. Kain stared at him before putting on a small smile. "Come on, it's just thunder. No need to be afraid buddy." he said putting a hand on the small boy. He moved over on the bed and tapped the space next to him, "If you're scared I'll stay with you until you fall asleep. Okay?" The boy nodded, now smiling just a little before climbing onto the bed and laying down.

Darkos spent most of his time in the attic until recently the only visitor he had was a little girl who was easily manipulated in to fake promises. It occurred to him that most of the children would be easily taunted, he was a real man, but he was trapped in the attic and could not get the information his heart desired, it was late at night. His little demon angel Lolitas was fast asleep, he knew this because he knew her heart, he had it and knew all of her feelings.

Darkos grumbled and started to whisper to Lolita's heart giving her his desires, the need for the files of all the children in the orphanage, he wanted her to steal them and bring them to him at once. "Lolita...' he whispered as he began to whisper he nudged her using his full force. "Lolita wake up..." Darkos's voice said roughly and he began to whisper what he wanted her to do.

Darkos after giving his instructions told her to go after the older children first the ones that were close to leaving the orphanage first there was plenty of time for the babies. Then he began to whisper trying to bring anyone of the older girls or boys attentions.

Kain looked down at the boy as he finally fell asleep. He picked him up in his arms and brought him over to his bed, pulling the covers up. He stretched, pulling his headphones down to his neck. The boy froze when he started to hear a whisper. He looked around, thinking it was a little kid who was just mumbling in their sleep. He rubbed his temples. "God... now I'm hearing things..." he muttered as he flopped back down onto his bed. The bed squeeked as usual, but he could still hear the whispering. Though he wasnt sure it was saying. He sighed and stood back up. Maybe a walk would help.
Sneaky as he was, Kain got out of his room with ease, without anyone noticing. He silently walked around in the halls, looking here and there. He's been here for a few years now, and nothing had change. No... actually there was one thing that had changed. Him. He used to be more open, but now he kept everything to himself. Maybe it was for the best. With a small yawn, he put his hands behind his head, shaking away the thought.

Lolita's eyes snapped open

She had fallen asleep by the window. Still the storm raged outside but now she did not care. The only thing that ran through her mind was his voice... the voice that had pulled her out of her misery all those years ago...

Slowly, she stood up and gently walked along the many beds, some empty and some with an occupant. Her bare feet barely made a sound against the cold wooden floor as she left the girl's dormitory. The corridors were abandoned, even the carers had gone to bed, so no one was there to stop her. Not that they could even if they tried. She carried on walking, walking straight past the open door of the boy's dormitory, not caring if anyone saw her. It didn't take long for Lolita to reach the main office and she'd long learned how to pick the lock. Soon she was inside and opening the filing cabinet, searching through the many different folders. There weren't many that were old enough to leave but several were getting close to that age.

"Perfect."

After a few moments, she had managed to get the files of all the oldest children out of the cabinet. She closed it carefully and picked up the files, leaving the room and locking it again before making her way back along the corridor. She didn't think anyone else was around, and she didn't care, all she knew was that she had to get up to the attic.

He was waiting.

Darkos waited pachently for his information and when Lolitia came up to him with it he had a smile across his face "Exellent child, I am very pleased with your work for me, you are proving most useful in deed." Darkos took the files and began to read them over "The called Kain it is time he joins our little family Lolitia. You'd like a brother to cause trouble with wouldnt' you?" Darkos asked with a dark smile. he came up to the child and like a father would only his arms were very cold and clamy feeling placed his ghostly arms around her shoulder and pulled her in, "Your going to have a big family Lolitia, you'll be their leader whom they will l....." Darkos trailed off for a moment "Lov...." he hated this word but it seemed important to the children and he would get used to using it as long as this got him what he needed and wanted. "Loved." he said, "now bring me the child i have asked for, he is already hearing my voice. And take these files back, we don't want you getting into trouble for taking them out of the office." Darkos grinned evilliy and then sat back and began his whispering consentrating this time on the one called Kain.

Kain jumped at the voice. He spun around, but didnt see anything. "Anyone.... there?" he asked in a low whisper. He put his hands in his pocket and sighed, "I told you if you play jokes with me again I'm going to tie you onto a tree." he said thinking it was the little kids who liked to mess with him. He didnt mind, but sometimes it did get annoying. His face turned serious when he didnt hear any chuckles and giggles. Then he was hearing things.... again?
Biting his lower lips he shook his head, "Kain you're hearing things.... again. Just 3 more years and you're out of here." he ,umbled to himself. "Just three more years.." he muttered. For some reason those three years sounded like thirty years. He sighed heavily. Maybe he should go get some sleep. He was getting a bit tired, and he didnt want to get caught. Slowly, he headed back to his room, often looked back to see if anything or anyone was following.

Lolita's heart fluttered at his words.

She always felt so happy when she could please him. And when she felt his arm around her shoulders a shudder a happiness went through her. She didn't care that his skin was cold, all she felt was a deep warmth when she was close to him. Darkos was all she had, the only thing that mattered to her. And when he spoke of their family getting bigger... it was like all her dreams had come true. She finally had what everyone had teased her for losing.

"I won't fail you, I promise." She said softly, such genuine sincerity in her voice it would have melted the heart of anyone else.

She left the attic, feeling a sense of contentment run through her. Slowly, she made her way back to the office to return the files, amazed that no one had spotted her as she locked the door again. Then she started to make her way back to her dormitory, wondering how she was going to get to Kain. She'd always liked him, he had never teased her like the other kids did. He would make a wonderful brother. But he barely spoke to her, how could she persuade him to...

There he was. Just in front of her, just about to go into the boys dormitory. She couldn't believe her luck.

No, it wasn't luck... it was fate.

"Kain?" She called out softly, giving him a friendly smile as she approached.

Darkos reached out towards the boy and grabbed him all the while whispering sweet nothings any child would want to hear and longed for even an orphan boy who had no family left. Darkos whispered to the boy until he knew his curiosity would grow stronger and he continued whispering "Kain my son... come to me, come my child..." Darkos whispered "Kain, my son I am waiting for you, to reunite you to your family." he whispered "Ask Lolitia to show you the way to where I dwell." he whispered again and continued to whisper other things memories that only Kain would know about Darkos seemed to know about them "I am your father's friend my son... come to me so that I may care for you."

"Kain, Come closer to me my son..." Darkos whispered, he whispered how he used to play with his son, on swing sets, and he talked about the memories the child had of his family. "Come..." His voice was growing weak he needed the blood of the human heart and soon. Every thirty days he would need a new heart, as he thirsted for the taste of it, he was not a vampire, but he might as well have been, for he was locked here in the attic and only had one heart in the three hundered years he had been locked there. He had been awakened by Lolitia's sadness and took her in to his attic where she lost her heart and soul to him only some 2 months ago.

When Kain heard his name, he thought he was hearing things again. When he turned around however, he saw it was Lolita. "Oh.. Lolita. What are you doing here?" he asked with a small smile. He barely talked to her, only because she seemed to be alone most of the time. Most of the kids he knew stayed away from here. He never understood why... she seemed like a nice girl.

"You should get back to your dorm. You'll get in trouble. Get some sleep." he said putting a hand on the girl's head. Kain tensed once more when the voice started again. Son? His father was dead.. wasnt he? Father's friend? Did his father have friends? He wasnt sure since he never met any. The voice seemed soft as it spoke of the memories. Kain stared blankly before snapping out of it. Lolita knew this... person? The voice did tell him to ask her.

"Lolita... uh.. do you.." he started to speak but trailed off. How was she supposed to know? His head was playing with him... or was it real?

Lolita smiled sweetly at him.

"I couldn't sleep, I was watching the storm." She said softly, giggling slightly as he put a hand on her head. "I won't get in trouble, no one's ever caught me and I've been doing this ever since I came here."

She watched carefully as he tensed up, knowing what was happening. She remembered the first time Darkos had spoke to her all that time ago. She had been so full of misery and hopelessness, feeling like she had been utterly abandoned that she thought it was just a hallucination. But he was real, he had helped her. Now he could do the same for Kain. They would be a family. Lolita smiled again as he started to speak but then stopped.

"It's okay." She said softly. "I know."

She smiled again, taking hold of one of his hands gently.

"Come, he's waiting for you."

She lead him back the way she had come, leading him slowly up to the attic, just as she had been commanded.

Azel and Asel couldn't sleep. The storms were too great and loud. They wandered the halls, looking for something to do. Asel looked at her brother. "I'm scared, its dark here" she told him. He responded "I am too, but maybe we can find the kitchen and get some cookies. That will help" he said, smiling. Azel then quietly walked to the stairs, careful not to trip over the shirt he used to sleep in. Asel had already tripped once, and they didn't want to wake anyone up.

"Hey, i think i see the stairs" Asel said. They walked toward it, stopping as they made a large creaking sound. They froze, hiding behind a plant.

Thoughts raced through their mind. "Did they wake anyone up" they thought. It stayed quiet for a few minuets. They had decided everyone was still asleep, and kept moving.

As they quietly moved down the stairs, they thought they heard someone. They ran down and hid behind the stairs, waiting to see who it was.

Unity sat at the kitchen table, sipping a glass of warm milk as she fiddled with her laptop. Lessoning to the final score of Dracula, as the storm roared seemed so amazing the perfect time to watch something like this she thought. She loved the story of Dracula it always thrilled her, Sometimes she even fantasized herself as Mina Harker.

The next song came on, it was a nice romantic song Jonathan and Mina’s and Unity closed her eyes lip singing Mina’s part. “And until the day we shall say I do” she couldn’t hear anything else in her mind she was singing with the handsome Jonathan Harker, as he was about to leave for Transylvania.

((SO in short if you don't get why I put it like this! She finished the story once and now she's starting it over))

"Huh?" he asked before she started to drag him. "Lolita, wait where? Who?" he started to ask. Kain blinked when she led him towards the attic. He tilted his head, to tell the truth he really didnt know they had an attic. He didnt notice he was following her up, until he banged his head on what it seemed like the ceiling.

"I dont think we should be here... I'm a bit tired. You can show me tomorrow." he said with a smile. Kain slipped his hands out of her grip. When he heard creeking of the stairs, he sighed. "Looks like we're not the only ones away huh?" he mumbled. Kain understood. This place was boring anyways. "How come I didnt know there was an attic here?" he wondered outloud.

A ghostly figure stood behind Kain. "Kain my son." he spoke gently "Second in command of the human children." he smiled he looked at Kain placing his hand on the boys heart "Son..." he said gently "You've been alone all your life and I know your sorrows. I have been watch you and Lolitia the entire time and it has only been now that I can intervene thanks to Lolita's generosity. "Join us, give me your love, and you shall have it back from me ten fold, I can give you anything else your hearts desire if you give me your heart and soul. If you give me that willingly son, then I can hand you the world on a silver platter and you will have a family that will never ever leave your side." Darkos grinned as a father might to his son, but his smile was crooked.

As this was going on a flash light focused on the two hidden children, an elderly woman looked at them both. "You brats ought to be in bed!" Ms. Winkle snapped "Its past midnight. Bed time is eight." the woman lifted the younger boy into her arms and glared at the older child. "You should know better. If Mr. Hartel catches you you're done for. Come on, I'll take you to your beds." Ms. Winkle was the house keeper and she kept to her self mostly. Mr. Hartel was the one who was never around and left the running of the business to Ms. Winkle, now she wasn't a bad person but she got cross when you didn't obey and you got punished for it too.

(um, can anyone use Ms. Winkle. im just going to do something with her a bit this one time, and it would be good knowledge for the future)

Azel and Asel heard Ms. Winkle. They had seen her go into the attic, but had not dared to follow her, for 2 reasons: 1: they felt some....thing...up there, and did not want to go up there, and 2: they might have gotten caught (Hurray for child instincts!). They ran into their room (They were allowed to both have one room after the 1st 6 days when every time they were separated, some way or another, they managed to end up in one bed room) and shut the door, jumping into their beds. As they crashed into the beds, pulling up the covers and going to sleep (with a little help from the cookies and milk they had earlier), Ms. Winkle opened the door to check on them. Azel and Asel pretended to be asleep, and it seemed to work. But that didn't stop them from wondering about a 3rd voice they barely heard before Ms. Winkle.

Later, during daylight in the morning, Azel and Asel got up around 7:30 AM, and got changed for the average day. Well, average summer day. Azel and Asel went down to get some breakfast, walking past some of the others. Azel and Asel sat and walked next to each other. As they sat down next to some of the others, they thought they heard something. They looked up to see who...

Kain flinched as something touched him. He wasnt sure who or what it was, but he was able to see a figure standing before him. "Who... are you?" he asked taking a small step back. For a minute, he thought he was dreaming, but knew it wasnt. "Anything.. I want?" he repeated. A family.. it was something he had wished for. All he had to do was give whoever this thing.. or person was his heart and soul... then he would be able to get anything he desired... but what exactly did he want anyways?

"I.. dont need a family." he said putting a hand on his head, as if getting a headache. "I dont care anymore.. I just want to be alone..." he whispered. Kain looked up. This time seeing the figure more clearly. It was almost as if his father was looking at him. He rubbed his eyes, now was he seeing things?

Lolita turned sharply as he pulled his hand away.

"Kain..." She started... but froze as she heard his voice. Yes, his son. They would be a family, she knew that Kain wanted it just as much as she did, maybe even more. And Darkos could give it to them both.

But then he started to back away, she couldn't believe her eyes. Or her ears. He didn't need a family? She knew that was a lie, but why? Why wasn't he accepting? She didn't understand.

"Don't go!" She said, walking up to him. "Please... trust me." There was genuine hurt in her voice, he did trust her didn't he? Surely he knew it was safe.

"Lolita..." Darkos's voice came through loud and clear, "Lolita my dear, we can't make the child be what he dosen't want to be, but he is meant to be part of our family..." Darkos placed his hand now on Lolita it gave him a little more strength and empowerment just to have the children close. "Let him think on the matter. Go to sleep my children and then visit me tomorrow." Darkos was playing his game cards he wanted Kain, but Kain seemed to be backing away, smart boy, but it was too late, once Darkos pointed his fingers and says he wants you, there is no going back......


The next morning a couple came to the front door of the orphanage and knocked loudly. Bill and Clare Andreson smiled at each other and sighed, they had nothing with them but each other. Ms. Winkle came to the front door, and rose an eye brow. "Yes?" she asked.

"Bill and Clare." Bill said warmly, "We'd like to adopt a child if at all possible." Ms. Winkle rose an eye brow but said nothing and allowed the couple

"Boy or girl?" she asked "Babies or older children?" Ms. Winkle was direct with her lines of questions.

"Either, and we don't care about the age." Clare whispered she didn't like the feel of this place, she was a Christian woman and she just didn't like the feeling she shook off she closed her eyes and whispered "God protect us from evil, let us see the truth always." then she looked back up at Bill and sighed.

They walked down the corridor hall and Ms. Winkle showed them to a waiting room, they could see the children on the other side of the glass, there were a few that came to mind. Clare saw a young girl working on a laptop computer, and then she turned her attention to two children obviously brother and sister? "You'll get a chance to see them both..." Ms Winkle walked out of the room and down the hallway. "Asel... you have visitors." Ms. Winkle snapped, and roughly grabbed the litle boy's hand and glared at the girl "Azel, you stay put. You two might as well get used to never being together, parents usually want to adopt just one child." she snapped and walked out of the room with Asel.

OOC: Any NPC character I create you can play w/ you characters.Ms. Winkle anyone can use if you feel adult intervention or friend is needed!

Kain stared at Lolita, "Yeah.. I think I need some sleep." he said before hurrying into his room. He closed the door shut and sighed. The little ones were still asleep, which was a good thing. What the hell happened back there? He would have thought about it all night, but his eyes were starting to shut. Kain dragged himself onto the bed and fell asleep.

The next morning, he felt someone shake him. "Wake up, wake up, wake up." a voice called out. With a groan, Kain opened his eyes, "What do you want Alex?" he mumbled closing his eyes once more. "We have a visitor." he hissed. "I dont care.. leave me alone I'm tired." the teen muttered pulling the blanket up to his head. "But dont you want to see who the visitor is?! Come on!!!!!" Alex continued jumping up and down. Kain sat up and looked at the boy, "Listen, why dont you go see who our... visitor is and come tell me? Okay?" he said with a silent sigh. The boy nodded, "Fine with me!!" he yelled before running off.
Why were kids so active during the morning? Besides, whoever came here probably wont even adopt a child anyways. It was always like that. They come, look at you like you're a dog from the pound and just leave.
"I'm so sick and tired of this all..." he complaine. Just three more years... Kain reminded himself.

Lolita was still a little shocked that he wasn't sure but she knew Darkos was right. It made her feel a little better to feel his hand on her shoulder, knowing that the time would come soon. She watched Kain leave, soon going back to her own dormitory and lying down in bed, more tired than she had realised.

She was the last to wake the next morning, immediately walking to the window to see what damage the storm from last night had done. The skies were clear now, the magic of the night was gone.

"Lolita?" She turned at the sound of the woman's voice. "You should get dressed, we have visitors today Lolita." Miss Brown said, smiling gently.

"Why should that concern me?"

"Come on, they're looking to adopt." Miss Brown sighed. "You should at least go and talk to the other girls, it won't do you any good to be alone so much.

Lolita gave a smile that sent shiver's down the young woman's back, like she had a dark secret.

"I'm not alone."

Aaron was once again running down the halls.
"HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU NOT TO--" before Ms.Torn can finish her sentence, there was a loud crash, followed by a moan.
Aaron was on the ground, his face planted onto the floor. "Ow.... that hurts.." he muttered sitting up. Despite the pain, he was smiling. The other kids laughed and helped him up. Ms.Torn sighed and shook her head before placing her hands on her hips, giving Aaron "the look."
"Aw.. not 'the look' again.." the boy said trying to hold in a chuckle.
"Cut it out mister. We have a guest here, I want you ALL to be on your best behavior." the old lady said shooting dagger at Aaron as she glared at him. The boy nodded, still with the goofy smile on his face. "Yes ma'm... but no promises."

Kain finally got out of bed and changed into a new pair of jeans, with a shirt and a hoody over. There was a knock on the door, as if telling him to get his ass out of the room already.
"I know I know.." he said rolling his eyes. He opened the door, pushing past whoever it was. He stopped midway and looked over to where the attic was. Kain quickly looked away before heading downstairs. He gave quick waves and good mornings to the other kids, forcing on a smile.

After she had dressed in her favourite green dress, Lolita picked up her book and made her way downstairs.

Everyone else had been up for ages, but she was not so eager to join in the fray. People stayed clear of her, she kept away from them, it worked out well. No one had ever really spoken to her properly since she had first arrived, especially after her violent outburst that had left some of them close to death. Lolita didn't care, they had deserved it. They had been teasing her.

She made her way past everyone, finding a seat in the corner as she settled down to read. She was vaguely aware of some of the girls giving her funny looks but she payed no attention. Although she did look up when Aaron came in, even she thought he was funny, she didn't make any attempt to talk to him.

Her eyes lifted for an instant when Kain came into the room but she didn't watch him for long, it wasn't like he was going to talk to her. No one did. The few times she tried talking to people they ignored her.

Soon she had just stopped trying.

Bill and Claire were ushered into the area that at one time had been a play room, now it was turned into a regular meeting room. Bill frowned, several of the children came running in and were lined up. At this Bill raised an eyebrow but Clare let out a sigh. "Oh Bill..." She whispered as she looked at all the children, they were all so beautiful and handsome." She looked up at Bill again and sighed. "Oh they're so... precious." Clair whispered Bill nodded his head of course she would think that.

Ms. White glared at all the children. "Stand up straight.' She shoved Asel in the line with the boys, and glared over at Azel to make sure she wouldn't try anything, if she did she would be locked up in a room tightly. Clair watched this and came over to the little boy who looked terrified. Bill walked and looked at the girls seeing Lolita he smiled softly and came up to her.

"Hello child." He said gently. Claire then walked over and saw another boy being dragged in by Ms. White, it was Kain.

"Get in line boy." she hissed "all children are present and to be accounted for." She said to Bill and Claire "We'll be with in ear shot. The adults all but Clair and Bill left the room.

"So many children..." Claire whispered. "I wish we could take them all home Bill." she said gently now she softly touched Asel's cheek and lifted him in her arms. Then coming over to the girl he had been watching she smiled "My name is Mrs. Anderson. Is this your little brother?"

"My name is Mr. Anderson." he smiled at Lolita and then looked over at Unity the names of the children he did not know yet but he was overwhelmed with how many there were. Claire watched as the little boy reached out for his sisters arms she nodded.

"He must love you a lot." Claire whispered to the little girl "I take it you are wanting to stay together with him?"

Lolita sighed as she heard everyone lining up, continueing to read quietly. The carers had long since given up on trying to get her involved in these little sessions, after what her parents had done she had given up on adults. In fact were it not for Darkos, she would have given up altogether.

Her fingers tensed around the book as she heard the voice, slowly looking up into the man's face. For a few moments she just sat there, blinking at him. She was shocked, to say the least, that he had even spoken to her.

"Hello." She said hesitantly after a while, unsure why he was talking to her at all.

She didn't say anything else, until he told her his name. Then she knew she had to respond, Lolita had a decent set of manners after all.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Mr Anderson, my name is Lolita De Winter." She said politely, giving him a shy smile and hesitantly closing her book.