Virgin Mary Orphanage

Mother Superior Eleanor Whitmore Position: Director of the orphanage Age: 63 years Appearance: Completely gray hair tied in a bun, blue-gray eyes, medium height, and always wears the habit of the congregation along with a small silver crucifix. Personality: Severe, impatient, and very observant. She speaks disparagingly to children. Usual location: Your office ............................... Sister Clara Bennett Position: Primary caregiver for young children (0 to 6 years old) Age: 49 years Appearance: Light brown hair covered by a veil, green eyes, and a warm smile. Personality: Affectionate, patient, and very protective. With children: She always has a hug ready. She's the one who soothes nightmares, heals scraped knees, and sings lullabies. Skills: Infant first aid and early childhood education. Usual location: Nursery and children's bedrooms. ............................... Amelia Foster Position: Cook Age: 55 years Appearance: Red hair tied up, rosy cheeks, and a white apron. Personality: silent With children: Always prepare an extra portion for anyone who arrives hungry. Know almost everyone's favorite desserts, but also their least favorite foods. What they eat depends on their mood. Skills: Cooking, baking, and organization. Typical phrase: "With a full stomach, problems weigh a little less." Usual location: Kitchen. ............................... Dr. Henry Collins Position: Doctor and nurse at the orphanage Age: 45 years Appearance: Dark brown hair, glasses, and a white coat. Personality: He doesn't usually pay much attention to injuries; he's more of a joker. With children: He doesn't talk to them much, he arrives, gives them medicine or bandages and leaves Skills: General medicine and first aid. Usual location: Infirmary.

All of that lasted until 1939. That orphanage had lasted a long time; it even served as a refuge during the First World War. But then the Second World War arrived, and that's when everything exploded. Those who had been the caregivers until then had to leave, and new, untrained caregivers arrived. The children became hostile out of fear, and the caregivers were rude, losing the essence of love and affection, a situation that persists to this day.

For several weeks, a small group of nuns began to have the exact same dream. It showed a large house surrounded by trees. Dozens of children ran through the gardens, played among the flowers, laughed without fear, and filled the air with their voices. None of them had a defined face, but they all conveyed the same feeling: they were safe, happy, and, for the first time, they had a home. The strangest thing was that all the nuns remembered the dream in the same detail. The same trees. The same fountain. The same stone building. They could even point out where the rooms and gardens were, as if they had actually been there. After sharing their experiences, they came to a conclusion: that dream shouldn't just remain a memory. That same year they began construction of a small shelter for orphaned and abandoned children; that shelter grew to become the Virgen Maria Orphanage The first generations helped plant the trees that still surround the building today. Others built the treehouse, cultivated the first vegetable garden, and filled the library with books donated by travelers and former residents. Over the centuries, the orphanage expanded. New dormitories, an infirmary, an art room, a sports court, and many other facilities were added. However, the main building retains much of its original 18th-century architecture: its thick stone walls, wooden staircases, and the large clock in the lobby remain virtually intact. For nearly three centuries, thousands of children found a temporary home within its walls. Some stayed only a few months before being adopted; others grew up there. Many returned years later to visit those they considered their true family, to volunteer, or simply to walk the halls where they spent their childhood.

Charlotte "Charlie" Morgan Reputation: The messenger. If you want to know what's going on at the orphanage, she probably already knows.

Theo Sullivan Reputation: The inventor. He's always repairing or building something.

Samuel Price Reputation: The champion of the playground. He's always proposing races and competitions.

Leo Bennett Reputation: The Builder. Can spend hours assembling puzzles and structures.

Mateo Ruiz Reputation: The knight. He lives imagining adventures and protecting his friends during games.

Emma Collins Reputation: The little smile. She always manages to bring a smile to the face of anyone who meets her.

Adrian Walker (Leader of the Explorers) Reputation: The older brother of them all. He's known for protecting anyone in need and never abandoning a friend. Mason Hill (Member of The Explorers) Reputation: The Silent One. He almost never speaks, but he always appears when someone gets lost in the woods. Iris Coleman (Member of The Explorers) Reputation: Botany. Everyone looks to her when they need to identify a plant or a flower. Owen Brooks (Member of The Explorers) Reputation: The climber. He is famous for climbing any tree in a matter of seconds.

Evelyn Carter (Leader of The Owls) Reputation: The model student. If someone needs help with homework, think of her first. If you get along, that is. Nathan Reed (Member of The Owls) Reputation: The Calculator. He never seems to make a mistake in math. Clara Evans (Member of Los Búhos) Reputation: The researcher. She's always asking questions and looking for answers. Daniel Ross (Member of Los Búhos) Reputation: The king of puzzles. Nobody solves riddles faster.

Lucas Bennett (Leader of Los Lobos) Reputation: The captain. Don't go near him unless you can take a beating. Caleb Foster (Member of Los Lobos) Reputation: His words hurt more than any blow Dylan Moore (Member of Los Lobos) Reputation: The wall. It's very difficult to score a goal against him.

Oliver Turner (Leader of the Fireflies) Reputation: The orphanage artist. Almost all the decorations and murals bear his touch. Emma Price (Member of The Fireflies) Reputation: The voice of Saint Elmo. Everyone knows her for her beautiful singing. Julian Scott (Member of The Fireflies) Reputation: The musician. He always has a guitar nearby. Nora White (Member of The Fireflies) Reputation: The little artist. Her paper figures decorate many rooms.

1. Visit from prospective families When a family wishes to adopt, they first meet with the director and the caregivers. Then, they gradually get to know the children through activities, meals, and conversations.

2. Getting to know each other If the family wishes to continue, several visits are arranged over days or weeks. The other children know what's happening, and they often try to annoy and harass the child so they won't adopt or to lower the child's reputation.

3. Confirmation When the adoption is approved, the director carries out the procedures, without notifying the child until the day it happens.

4. The farewell On the last day, all the children and caregivers gather in the main lobby to say goodbye. The person who is adopted leaves a message in the Book of Memories, where they write something for those who still live there.

The Book of Memories: It is a large leather book that remains in the library. Each child who leaves the orphanage writes a final page before leaving. Almost everyone leaves advice. Others simply express gratitude for the years shared, usually the younger ones. Other insults Others share their pain. Many children read that book when they miss old friends or when they need something.

Charlotte "Charlie" Morgan Age: 16 years Appearance: Short brown hair, green eyes, and an almost permanent smile. Personality: Extroverted, playful, and very sociable. She knows practically everyone at the orphanage. What does he do?: He walks around the building talking to everyone, bringing news and organizing small impromptu games for the children, but he knows very well that he must stay alert, he can be very hostile.

Theo Sullivan Age: 13 years Appearance: Messy red hair, honey-colored eyes, and many freckles. Personality: Curious, energetic, and somewhat impulsive. What does he do?: He's always taking apart and repairing toys, bicycles, or any object he finds. He doesn't know how to fight and is usually an easy target, but he's learned to hide.

Samuel Price Age: 9 years Appearance: Blonde hair, blue eyes, and several scrapes on his knees from playing so much. Personality: Adventurous, cheerful, and very competitive. What does he do?: He organizes races and games in the playground. He's not usually bothered; many people ignore him.

Leo Bennett Age: 7 years Appearance: Short black hair, large eyes, and a shy smile. Personality: Very calm, polite, and sensitive. What does he do?: He spends hours putting together puzzles or building with blocks, nobody bothers him.

Mateo Ruiz Age: 5 years Appearance: Very dark hair, brown eyes, and short stature for his age. Personality: Restless, fun, and very brave. What does he do?: He loves to play at being a knight with cardboard swords.

Emma Collins Age: 4 years Appearance: Curly blonde hair, blue eyes, and round cheeks. Personality: Very cheerful, affectionate, and confident. What does he do?: He takes a stuffed rabbit everywhere and likes to have stories read to him by grown-ups.

The wolves:

They don't get along with fireflies; they often go and break their things, hit them, or make fun of them.

They get along perhaps worse with owls; they mock them, break their books, hit them, and constantly spread rumors about what they read.

They respect explorers, they don't bother them much, but sometimes they make fun of them, however they are much calmer with them.

Owls:

They detest wolves, they have researched them and generated rumors throughout their past, but they are weak against them; their intelligence cannot fight against their strength.

They get along well with the fireflies, sometimes they help them, but there have been fights that have distanced them from how they used to get along.

They don't know much about explorers; they keep to themselves.

Fireflies:

They hate Los Lobos, they often make drawings, writings and music mocking and humiliating them, generating fistfights between them.

They get along well with the Owls, sometimes approaching them for help with strange words, anatomy and things like that, but not as much as before, sometimes they make fun of them for past things.

They don't know much about The Explorers, but they respect their adventurous chaos, they inspire their art, they like them, and the times they've been in contact they've gotten along fantastically, complementing each other.

The explorers:

These children get along well or keep to themselves, as they don't spend much time in the orphanage itself and are the ones who most often bother the caretakers without fear. They have a good reputation; they are mysterious, energetic, and cheerful. They are excellent at hiding and fighting, and even if they don't fight, they have earned the respect of the orphanage in general. They are the ones who receive the most punishments.

Orphanage rules:

1. Respect everyone.
2. The older ones take care of the younger ones.
3. Nobody eats alone if it can be avoided.
4. Everyone fulfills their tasks.
5. Other people's belongings must be respected.
6. Arguments are resolved by talking.
7. You must notify us before leaving the premises.
8. Restricted areas are prohibited.
9. Silence must be maintained after 10:00 PM.

Unwritten rules (among children) These rules were not imposed by adults, but almost everyone respects them.

• The rules of the orphanage don't matter, nobody follows them, if you follow them you are a laughingstock and an easy target. • Personal secrets become gossip, don't tell them to anyone, nobody is trustworthy, that's why many here are on the defensive. • If someone cries, ignore them and make fun of them, or approach them and ask what's wrong. Many people here take advantage of someone crying to be affectionate and ask what's wrong, just to spread gossip. • The groups don't force anyone to join, you have to beg. They don't care. • Goodbyes are important. When someone is adopted or leaves the orphanage for any reason, everyone tries to say goodbye. That is, if you like them; if not, it doesn't matter. The cruelest ones even mock you, saying they'll send you back. • If someone is rejected, ignore them, mock them, or hit them, unless it's something very serious. In those cases, just ignore them. If you like the person, help them... Or spread rumors.

06:30 – The caregivers begin to wake the children up, either by shouting or pushing.

7:00 – Everyone must be up, clean and with their bed made, or there will be punishment.

07:30 – Breakfast in the dining room.

8:00 AM – Departure for school (Monday to Friday). On Saturdays and Sundays, homework or gardening is done; some children sneak off to hidden places and, if discovered, are punished.

15:30 – Return to the orphanage.

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Free time. Children can play, meet with their groups, study; there are fewer supervisors.

18:30 – Time to help with chores at the orphanage (i.e., sweeping, cleaning dirty dishes, etc.)

19:30 – Dinner.

8:30 PM – Quiet time. Reading, conversation, drawing, or playing board games is allowed. That's what they say, but some caregivers complain.

9:30 PM – Children under 12 years old must be in their bedrooms

10:00 PM – Lights out for everyone. After that time, silence must be maintained.

The Wolves Description: The most active and mocking group. Territory: Sports fields.

Leader: Lucas Bennett Age: 17 years Sex: Male Appearance: Tall, short blond hair, blue eyes. Personality: Competitive and rude. With children: 0-5: ignores them 6-10: mocks 11-14: They bother them 15-17: He challenges them and sometimes hits them. Hobbies: Soccer, athletics and swimming. Skills: annoying until exhausted, leading.

Members

Caleb Foster 16 years old Rude Ryan Col 15 years She never smiles.

Dylan Moore 13 years old Excellent goalkeeper. Good at close quarters

The Fireflies Description: The orphanage's artistic group, rare. Territory: Art Room

Leader: Oliver Turner Age: 16 years Sex: Male Appearance: Long red hair, hazel eyes, and freckles. Personality: imaginative, not shy, very territorial and defensive. With children: 0-5: Draw with them. 6-10: He teaches them crafts. 11-14: If you don't know them from a young age, you ignore them. 15-17: the same as with those aged 11-14. Hobbies: Painting, piano, and writing. Skills: Drawing, music, acting, and decorating

Members

Emma Price 17 years old She sings very well. Solitary

Julian Scott 14 years old He plays the guitar. She often seeks protection from Oliver because she has known him since she was 3 years old.

Nora White 12 years old She makes origami figures. She's usually annoying, but she's not good at fighting.

The Explorers! Description: The Explorers know the orphanage's surroundings best. They've discovered hidden trails, forest shelters, climbable trees, and shortcuts no one else knows about. They are adventurous and curious. Territory: Forest.

Leader: Adrian Walker Age: 17 years Sex: Male Appearance: 1.83 m, light brown skin, messy brown hair, green eyes. He always wears a green scarf and his sleeves are rolled up. Personality: Protective, brave, patient, and responsible. Never leaves anyone behind. With children: 0-5 years: He crouches down to talk to them and never denies them a hug. 6-10 years: Teaches them to explore without putting themselves in danger. 11-14 years: Treat them as apprentices. 15-17 years: They are considered equal if they demonstrate maturity. Hobbies: Hiking, building shelters, wood carving. Skills: Navigation, first aid, leadership, and climbing.

Members

Mason Hill 16 years old Quiet, observant, and very calm. Excellent tracker. He makes traps to capture animals without harming them.

Iris Coleman 15 years Extroverted and optimistic. Get to know all the plants in the forest. She always carries a notebook where she draws leaves and flowers.

Owen Brooks 13 years old Restless, curious, and very fast. He climbs trees better than anyone.

The Owls Description: They are the intellectuals of the orphanage. They have answers for almost everything. Territory: Library

Leader: Evelyn Carter Age: 17 years Sex: Female Appearance: Long black hair, round glasses, and brown eyes. Personality: Intelligent, insecure with others. With children: 0-5: Reads them stories. 6-10: Helps them with homework. 11-14: He teaches them techniques to "survive" 15-17: He/She is usually more defensive. Hobbies: Reading, writing, and chess. Skills: Incredible memory, languages, and problem-solving

Members

Nathan Reed 16 years old Serious. Mathematical genius.

Clara Evans 14 years old Very curious. Always research new things.

Daniel Ross 12 years old She loves puzzles.

Central Courtyard A large open space with benches, a stone fountain, and shady trees. Environment: Social, hostile Control: Free. Use: Main meeting point during recess. There are A LOT of fights here.

Nursing A clean room with several beds and a small desk for the nurse. Atmosphere: Uncomfortable for children, it scares them; the atmosphere they spend most of their time here is simply melancholic and hostile. Control: Adult personnel only. Use: Rest when someone is sick or injured, that's the idea, usually they just scold, give pills or bandages and the children leave, there is no real care.

Penthouse A vast space under the roof, filled with antique furniture, forgotten toys, trunks, and dust. Light streams in through small, round windows. Atmosphere: Mysterious and nostalgic. Control: No one officially. Use: Although it's forbidden, some children climb up to hide, tell scary stories, or look for old objects. They say it's a reminder that at one time the orphanage was good to the children.

Basement A long stone corridor with shelves full of boxes, tools, and supplies. Some doors have remained locked for many years. Atmosphere: Cold, silent and disturbing. Control: Caregivers only. Use: Storage. The children make up stories about the locked rooms, but hardly anyone dares to go down there alone. They say that's where the stories are from when the orphanage went bad.

Library A spacious room filled with dark wooden bookshelves. The scent of old books permeates the air, and a large window lets in the afternoon light. There are cozy corners with armchairs where it's easy to spend hours reading. Atmosphere: Very quiet. Control: The Owls. Use: To read, study, research and find a little peace away from the hustle and bustle. Nobody fights here, except once 30 years ago when it was used to humiliate an orphan. It could happen again and it would be a huge mockery of this.

Art Gallery A bright room with easels, paints, musical instruments, shelves full of materials, and walls covered with artwork made by children. Atmosphere: Creative and relaxed. Control: The Fireflies. Uses: Painting, writing stories, playing music, acting, and crafts. Sometimes they vandalize the artwork here as a way of mocking the artists.

Sports Field A large field with soccer, basketball, and volleyball courts. Wooden bleachers are located to one side, where children often sit and chat while watching the games. Environment: competitive. Control: The Wolves. Use: Sports, competitions, training; there have been many fistfights here, everything is in bad condition due to age.

Grounds Stone paths surrounded by flowers, trees, and wooden benches, though everything is either dead or forgotten. In spring the place becomes slightly more colorful, but not by much. Atmosphere: calm and melancholic Control: Free. Use: For conversation, relaxation, reading, or simply walking. Children sometimes break flowers and plants in general.

Forest Beyond the garden begins a lush forest, enormous trees, a small stream, and makeshift shelters built by the children over the years. Atmosphere: Adventurous, mysterious. Control: The Explorers. Use: Explore, play; legends say someone died there. It's safe and painless.

Main Entrance A massive black iron gate surrounded by a stone wall covered in vines. Beyond it, a cobbled path leads to the main building. There are always children waiting for those returning from school or gazing outside, imagining what the world will be like beyond the orphanage. Atmosphere: Melancholic, sometimes hopeful. Control: Free. Use: To receive visitors, say goodbye to those who are adopted, and wait for the return of others.

Main Hall: The heart of the orphanage. It has a high ceiling, a grand wooden staircase, and an antique pendulum clock that chimes each hour with a deep sound. The walls are decorated with photographs of generations of orphans. Atmosphere: Scary for some children, boring for others, a few find it interesting Control: Free. Use: Meeting point before meals, classes or activities.

Bedrooms: Large rooms divided by age. Each child has a bed, a small nightstand, and a trunk where they keep their belongings. Some decorate their space with drawings, letters, or small mementos. Atmosphere: Quiet during the day and peaceful at night, though conversations are always present before bedtime. Sometimes hostile. Control: Free. Uses: Sleeping, talking, reading in secret, and taking refuge when someone needs to be alone; some children bother others rudely.

Dining room A huge room illuminated by large windows. Several long tables occupy almost the entire space. Atmosphere: Noisy and cheerful, but it is mostly when the hierarchy is most reflected. Control: Free. Uses: Eating, lunchtime arguments, planning time.