A strange orphanage

10. Rosa, 12 – transitional age. Between middle and high school. Neither here nor there. Bold, smokes on the sly. Tries to be friends with Hannah. She tolerates it. Tries to please Kurt. He doesn't notice. Inside, there's a girl who wants to be hugged. But there's no one to hug her.

General:

· Younger children don't get along with middle-aged ones. Different groups are different worlds.
The older ones don't bother the younger ones. The middle ones - sometimes. Peter - always.
Children know: if the youngest cries at night, it's evil spirits. If the middle one, it's people.
· Younger children fear older children. Middle-aged children respect them. Older children ignore them.
· All together - only at formation. Silently. At attention. Like soldiers.

Children from two groups at once (younger 2-6 and middle 6-12):

Junior group (2–6):

1. Thomas (Tomas), 4 – quiet, pale. Doesn't speak. Just watches. At night, he sits on his bed and rocks. The caregivers think he has autism. Vogel knows: he sees evil spirits. And they see him.
2. Elsa, 5 – small, bright, like an angel. Always smiling. Always too much. Never cries. Even when it hurts. Children love her. Adults – not. She sings a lullaby that no one taught her. That very one.
3. Karl (3) – the youngest. His mother left him at the gate in winter. He remembers only snow and someone's hands. He reaches for any warmth. He clings to his elders. Kurt allows it. Kraft forbids it. Karl still runs to him.
4. Mirna, 6 – a gypsy. Dark eyes, long hair. Tells fortunes by looking at palms. Sometimes the truth. Children are afraid. Teachers punish. She laughs. Knows when someone will leave. She is silent. Even when asked.

Middle group (6–12):

5. Fritz, 9 – a brawler, a bully. Small, but mean. He fawns over Peter and hits younger kids. He's actually a coward. He cries into his pillow at night. He wants to be noticed. Kurt doesn't notice. Peter takes advantage of him.
6. Liselotte, 11 – quiet, plump, glasses. Reads everything she can find. Even forbidden things. Knows more than anyone else. Keeps quiet. Writes in a diary. Dreams of the West. Afraid of being found. Is friends with Dieter – the only one who doesn’t laugh at her.
7. Otto (8) – small, nimble, thieving. He steals everything that's lying around. Not for profit, but for the thrill of it. He's been caught a dozen times. He's been beaten by Kraft. It doesn't help. He's respected for his courage. He's hated for his thefts. He doesn't know the difference.
8. Brigitte, 10 – beautiful, mean. The little queen of the middle group. Keeps the girls in line. Snitching to the teachers. The kids hate her. The adults praise her. Dreams of moving up to the senior group. Peter promised to take her. Lies.
9. Hans, 7 – sick, weak. Asthma. Doesn’t go outside in winter. Sits in his room, drawing. Draws things he hasn’t seen. Evil spirits. Vogel takes the drawings. Keeps quiet. The boy is not long for this world. Everyone knows. So does he.

5. Peter Wolf, 16 – “Der Wolf” (The Wolf)
   Appearance: Average height (175 cm), wiry. Dark hair, always disheveled. Gray, angry eyes. Smile - a grin. Scar on his hand - from a knife.
   Personality: Aggressive, envious, cruel. Dreams of overthrowing Kurt. Gathers the disgruntled. Beats the younger ones, fears the older ones. Kraft keeps him on a leash, but he's eager. Deep down, he's afraid of being nothing. He can't lose. Sooner or later, he'll snap. Or break.
6. Greta Schmidt, 18 — "Die Nonne" (The Nun)
   Appearance: Short (158 cm), thin. Light hair, always covered with a headscarf. Blue, distant eyes. Pale, calm face. Dress – always long.
   Personality: Quiet, devout, withdrawn. Hides a Bible under her mattress. Prays at night. Doesn't participate in the group's life. The kids think she's weird. Kurt is a saint. Stern is dangerous. Inside, there's deep faith and even deeper pain. She's lost everyone. God is the only one left. Dreams of a monastery. Or death. Hasn't decided yet.
7. Dieter Kohl, 17 – “Der Clown” (The Clown)
   Appearance: Short (168 cm), frail. Red hair, freckles. Green, laughing eyes. Always disheveled. Clothes always don't fit.
   Personality: Jester, chatterbox, coward. He makes everyone laugh—that's how he survives. He knows when to joke and when to keep quiet. In reality, he's the smartest. Inside, there's fear and loneliness. Peter uses him as an informant. Kurt is a lightning rod. He dreams of being taken seriously. But he's afraid: if he stops joking, they'll kill him.

General:

· The elders are a separate caste. The younger ones are not suitable for idleness.
· Your own laws: don’t touch your own, don’t complain, don’t steal from the group.
· Violated - Kurt's court. Sentence - boycott or blackout.
· Kraft knows everything. Rarely interferes. Lets things "simmer."
Stern is watching. Waiting to see who will break. Whoever breaks will leave.

1. Kurt Bayer, 18 – “König” (King)
   Appearance: Tall (188 cm), broad-shouldered, blond hair, gray eyes. Scar on his chin – from his father. Hands covered in calluses.
   Personality: A natural leader. Silent, calm, fair. Not cruel without reason, but merciless to traitors. Knows how to listen. Keeps his word. Respects strength, but does not oppress the weak. Inside, there is fatigue and fear that he will not lead his own. Dreams of escape, but will not abandon his juniors. Believes in order, but not in Stern.
2. Marta Lindt, 17 – “Die Spinne” (The Spider)
   Appearance: Thin, short (160 cm), dark hair, always collected. Green, quick eyes. Long fingers, always twirling something. Moves silently.
   Personality: Cold, calculating, observant. Emotions are a tool, not a weakness. Knows everything about everyone, but remains silent until the right moment. Trusts no one. Single by choice. Dreams of power—not for the sake of power, but for security. Keeps a diary, like Stern. Respects only the power of the mind. Despises stupidity and talkativeness.
3. Jan Kramer, 17 – “Der Bär” (The Bear)
   Appearance: Huge (195 cm), bear-like build. Dark hair, a growing beard. Blue eyes—kind but intimidating. Low, sparse voice.
   Personality: Silent, patient, reliable. Strength is for defense, not offense. Rarely speaks, but when he does, it's the law. Loyal to Kurt like a brother. Fears only one thing: losing control and killing someone. Loves children. Vogel is the only one he trusts with his secret. Dreams of a quiet life. Doesn't believe he'll live that long.
4. Hanna Richter, 16 – “The Doctor”
   Appearance: Average height (165 cm), slim. Light brown hair, braided. Brown, warm eyes. Hands are soft but firm. Always have bandages and pills in her pockets.
   Personality: Quiet, intelligent, compassionate. She heals everyone—her own and others. She doesn't get involved in fights, but no one touches her: everyone needs her. Patient, but not endlessly. Inside, she's filled with pain from loss. She's in love with Kurt, but keeps quiet: she doesn't want to be seen as weak. She dreams of becoming a doctor.

The World and the Country (time of action):

Year: 1953. Post-war Germany. A divided country.

Country:

Germany is split into the FRG (West) and the GDR (East). The orphanage is in the east, in the GDR.
The Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) is in power. Everything is under control.
The Stasi (Ministry of State Security) monitors everyone. Denunciations are the norm.
The economy is in ruins. Shortages: bread is rationed, coal is sold by coupons.
Many children are war orphans. Their fathers never returned. Their mothers either died or fled to the West.
Church is banned. Christmas is a "winter holiday." The Bible is hidden.
· The Pioneer organization instead of religion. A tie instead of a cross.
The Berlin Wall had not yet been built (1961), but the border was already closed. Escape meant execution.

Orphanage:

· A government institution. Funded by the party. Ideology is more important than food.
The students are "children of the new order." They are being prepared for work and service.
Western radio is jammed. Western books are banned. Western thoughts are punished.
· Visits with relatives are rare. Many relatives are "unreliable."
· Adoption – only by “tested” families. Party-affiliated. Sterile.

People:

Adults are afraid. They are silent. They work. They don’t ask questions.
The children don't know any other world. The orphanage is their universe.
Neighbors spy on each other. Children do too. Snitching is encouraged.
· The only hope is the West. But it's impossible to get there.
Death is commonplace. Funerals without tears. That's how it should be.

Atmosphere:

Gray sky. Gray walls. Gray faces.
Silence at night. Only the footsteps of patrols and the whispers of evil spirits.
· Smell: coal, carbolic acid, boiled cabbage.
· Sound: metronome from the radio. Teak. Teak. Teak.
Time stands still. Year after year – the same thing.

Background:

· The famine of 1953. Unrest in Berlin. Tanks on the streets.
Stalin is dead. Some are crying. Some are quietly crossing themselves.
· Rumors about camps. Rumors about escapes. Rumors that things will get worse.
Children don't know what's going to happen. But they sense that something is wrong.

Evil spirits in the corridors of an orphanage (at night, briefly):

1. The Whisperer (The Whisperer) whispers behind your back. You turn around and there's no one there. The voice knows your name.
2. The Gray Woman (The Gray Woman) stands at the end of the corridor. Doesn't move. If you approach her, she disappears. Leaves behind the smell of incense.
3. The Child Without Eyes (The Child Without Eyes) - sits on the windowsill. Cries silently. Anyone who looks into the eyes sees their own.
4. The Counter (Counter) – counts out loud to 30. At 30, there is silence. Whoever hears it stays awake until morning.
5. Der Schattenjunge (The Shadow Boy) - runs along the walls. Just a shadow. No body. Lives in a detention center.
6. The Seamstress - you can hear her sewing with a needle. At night. In an empty room. She sews up the mouths of those who talk too much.
7. The Gatekeeper (The Gatekeeper) opens the doors at 3:33. Everyone at once. There's no one there. He's waiting.
8. The Girl in the Mirror (The Girl in the Mirror) – appears only at night. Asks you to brush your hair. The hair grows.
9. Der Atmer (The Breather) - breathes in the dark. Heavy. If you breathe in time, your heart will stop.
10. Die Krähe (The Crow) - sits on the windowsill. Doesn't caw. Watches. Flies away before someone leaves.
11. Der Wanderer (The Wanderer) - footsteps in the basement. Walking in circles. Looking for a way out. Can't find one for 40 years.
12. Das Namenskind (The Child of the Name) – appears if you name the departed three times. Laughs. Takes the name.
13. Die Mutter (Mother) - sings a lullaby in the younger group. The children sleep soundly. They wake up as orphans.

Orphanage oddities (evil spirits, briefly):

1. Basement: Footsteps are heard at night. No one is there. The door is locked from the inside.
2. Mirrors: In the third-floor hallway, they reflect the wrong things. Children don't look.
3. Attic: Sometimes the light is on. There is no electricity there.
4. Lullaby: At night, someone sings in the younger group. The teacher is silent.
5. Shadow: There is a shadow of a boy in the detention center. He is not listed on the list.
6. Stern's Dog: Howls at an empty corner every midnight. Stern doesn't scold.
7. Bathroom: Sometimes warm water comes out of the tap, even though the boiler is turned off.
8. Doors: At 3:33, they open by themselves. All at once.
9. Portrait of the founder: Changes facial expression. Smiles when no one is looking.
10. Knock: People knock on walls in response if you knock three times. Children don't knock.
11. Chalkboard: Sometimes a child's name is written in the morning. A week later, he's gone. Forever.
12. Staircase: There are 13 steps between the second and third floors. There were always 12.
13. Voice: In the older group, someone is counting out loud at night. He counts to 30. Then he falls silent.
14. Photos: In old graduation photos, there's sometimes an extra child standing in the back.
15. Baby monitor: In the younger group, a strange voice is sometimes heard. Gentle. The children listen. The adults turn it off.
16. Lockers: One locker (#13) is always open. No one admits to opening it.
17. Sheets: In the morning, the sheet on one bed is wet. The child slept dry. The bed is empty.
18. Clock: In the assembly hall, the clock goes back. Exactly 13 minutes. Every night.
19. Doll: There's a doll with no eyes in the playroom. At night, she sits instead of lying down.
20. Whistle Kraft: Sometimes whistles on his own. Kraft turns pale. Doesn't say why.
21. Diary: Stern's "black folder" contains sheets of paper written in a child's handwriting. Dated to the future.
22. Dining room: One chair is always empty. Nobody sits down. It creaks as if someone is sitting on it.
23. Window: There is no window on the fourth floor. But at night, light pours in from there.
24. Names: If you say the name of a departed student three times in the hallway, laughter will be heard.
25. Piano: Plays by itself. The same melody. Lena knows it, but doesn't play it.

Orphanage psychologist:

Appearance:

· Woman 35–40 years old, average height (165 cm), thin, light in movement.
· Hair is light brown, shoulder-length, often loose - the only liberty in the institution.
· Brown eyes, warm, attentive. Looks into the eyes, but does not press.
· Rimless glasses, almost invisible. Sometimes looks over them.
Clothing: soft sweaters, below-the-knee skirts, scarves. Colors: muted, warm.
· No uniform. The only one allowed.
· Her voice is quiet and even. Pauses in conversation are her tool.
· In hand - a notepad and a pencil. Never a pen.

Character:

· Gentle, patient, but not weak. Weakness is not her weapon, but understanding.
· Doesn't judge. Never. Even when she's obligated to report to the principal.
· She listens in such a way that children begin to speak themselves. Silence is her main method.
· Believes that every broken child is not a sentence, but a task.
· The only one who argues with Kraft. Quietly, but firmly. Sometimes she wins.
· He's not afraid of Stern. He respects him, but he's not afraid. He knows it.
· Remembers everyone. Each one. By name, by story, by scar.

Methods:

Individual sessions are 45 minutes long. No table between you and your child. Just two chairs.
· Doesn't keep minutes in front of the child. Writes them down afterward. Children appreciate this.
· Drawing tests, sand therapy, just talking about trivial things.
· Never promises what she can't do. But if she promises, she will do it.
· Maintains "shadow maps"—things that aren't in official documents. Stores them at home.
After the "educational talks," Kraft is the first to visit the child. She sits silently next to him.

Additionally:

· 12 years of experience. Came here after working in child psychiatry. She left, "tired of hopelessness."
· Single. Lives alone with her cat. The cat is the only one who hears her real laugh.
Hobbies: Playing the piano. At the orphanage, there's an old piano in the assembly hall. He plays in the evenings when the children are at bedtime.
Weakness: Cries in the office when no one is looking. Then washes and comes out with a smooth face.
The safe doesn't contain a dossier, but children's drawings. Everything she'd been given over the past 12 years.

Director of the orphanage:

Appearance:

· A man of 60–65 years old, tall (185 cm), lean, fit. Military bearing.
· Hair is completely gray, combed back. Never disheveled.
· The face is clean-shaven. The wrinkles are deep, but not from smiling.
· Eyes are light gray, almost transparent. Looks through a person.
· Three-piece suit: dark blue, always. White shirt. Tie – black, plain.
· A watch on a chain in a vest pocket. Ticking loudly in the quiet office.
· A cane with a silver knob - not for walking, but for emphasis.
· Smells like tobacco and cologne with a hint of leather.

Character:

· Absolutely cold. Never shows emotions. Neither anger nor joy.
· He speaks slowly and quietly. Every word is a sentence or a pardon.
· He doesn't raise his voice—there's no need for that. People fear him silently.
· It's formally fair: the charter is the same for everyone. For both children and staff.
· Despises chaos, weakness, and complaining. Believes in system, order, and discipline.
· Not cruel for the sake of cruelty. Cruel for the sake of results: "Out of chaos, order."
· Never reverses his decisions. Never apologizes.

Methods:

· Personally checks the group once a week. Walks around silently. Looks. Leaves.
· The disciplinary committee is chaired by the judge himself. The verdict is final and not subject to appeal.
· The expulsion from the institution is signed personally. Without regret.
· Rewards are rare. He values ​​those who survived and didn't break.
· Keeps a "black folder" for each student and staff member. No one knows what's inside.

Additionally:

· 40 years of experience. Founded this institution 25 years ago. Since then, he has been the permanent director.
· Formerly an officer, then a civil servant. Reason for leaving: "disappointment in people."
Lives in a separate wing of the orphanage. Alone. His dog is a German Shepherd named "Ordnung."
The office is ascetic: a table, two chairs, a safe, and a portrait of the founder (himself). On the wall is the motto: "Ordnung, Disziplin, Pflicht" — "Order, discipline, duty."
Drinks only water. Eats alone. Never eats lunch with the staff.
· His only weakness is smoking cigars on the balcony at 10 PM. Alone. Looking at the stars.

Teacher of the senior group (12–18 years old):

Appearance:

· Woman 50–55 years old, tall (178 cm), broad-shouldered, strong.
· Gray hair, cut short, almost bald. Smoothly combed.
· Eyes are gray, icy, with heavy lids. He looks straight ahead and doesn't look away.
A scar on his left eyebrow is the result of an "old incident" with a student. He won't tell.
· Uniform: black shirt, black trousers, combat boots. No jewelry.
· Large, strong hands. Fingers are calloused. Can lift a teenager with one hand.
On the belt is a baton, a radio, and keys. On the chest is a whistle.

Character:

· The strictest one in the institution. Even her colleagues are afraid of her.
· Never smiles. Under any circumstances.
· Speaks little, in short phrases. Does not repeat orders.
· Physically strong – can use force if necessary. The charter permits this "for the purpose of suppression."
· Doesn't distinguish between gender, age, or circumstances. Violated—responded.
· Despises weakness, pity, and excuses. Believes only in order and willpower.
· He doesn't raise children—he trains them. He believes that "scum" should be molded into people by force.

Methods:

· For disobedience – solitary confinement. Without explanation.
· For fighting - 48 hours in a solitary confinement cell and an investigation by a commission.
· For substances - personally escorts to the police.
· For attempted escape – he finds. Always. Returns. Punishment – ​​maximum.
· Practices “educational conversations” in private - after them, children walk around like silk for a week.

Additionally:

· 30 years of experience. 20 of those were in the senior group. No one lasted longer.
· She served in the army, then in security. She came to the orphanage "by calling."
Lives in a room next to the isolation ward. He's a light sleeper—he hears everything.
My only weakness is black coffee without sugar and a cigarette on the porch at 5 a.m. He doesn't tell anyone.
In the nightstand are an army knife and a Bible. It's unclear which one he reads most often.
· Phrase: "Schwäche ist Verrat" - "Weakness is betrayal."
· Children know: if Frau Kraft takes the baton off her belt, there is no point in running.

Middle group teacher (6–12 years):

Appearance:

· Woman 38–42 years old, tall (175 cm), thin, sinewy.
Dark hair, always pulled back into a tight bun. Not a single strand is out of place.
· Glasses with thin black frames. A sharp, unblinking gaze.
Uniform: gray suit, white shirt, buttoned up. Low heels, measured stride.
· In his hands is a tablet with personal files. On his belt is a radio.
· Military posture. Sits upright.

Character:

Cold, rational, without sentimentality. Emotions are weakness, weakness is a disorder.
· Fair to the point of cruelty: punishment is not discussed, rewards are given only according to merit.
· Remembers everything: who did something wrong when, who said what, who is friends with whom.
· Doesn't raise his voice—he speaks quietly and evenly. This makes it even scarier.
· Despises laziness, lies, and cowardice. Respects perseverance even in those who violate the law.
· Doesn’t like children in the everyday sense, but respects them as “future citizens.”

Additionally:

· 15 years of experience. Was a military instructor before moving to an orphanage.
· Keeps an observation log for each child. She writes in the evening, by candlelight (to save electricity in the office).
· His only weakness is German poetry. He reads Schiller when no one is looking.
· Phrase: "Disziplin ist Freiheit" - "Discipline is freedom."
Children know: if Frau Holtz adjusted her glasses, there will be trouble.

Teacher of the younger group (2–6 years):

Appearance:

· Woman 45–50 years old, medium height, dense build.
· Short haircut (bob), gray strands at the temples.
· Glasses with a metal frame on a chain.
· Uniform: a strict dark knee-length dress, a white collar, comfortable shoes without heels.
· On the belt is a bunch of keys and a whistle.
· Hands are dry and always folded in front of you.

Character:

· Strict but fair. Her voice is even, without shouting—children fear silence more than noise.
· Demanding of discipline: order in lockers, beds, toys.
· Not affectionate in appearance, but notices everything: who didn’t eat, who cried at night, whose clothes were torn.
· The maternal instinct is suppressed by the regulations, but it breaks through in small things: an extra spoonful of porridge, a warm scarf in the cold.
· Doesn't like self-pity and can't stand tears over trifles.
· Believes that affection spoils, but regime saves.

Additionally:

· 25 years of experience. Remembers all graduates by name.
· Keeps candy in the nightstand for those who have distinguished themselves, but only on holidays.
· The only weakness is quietly stroking the head of someone who has fallen asleep, thinking that no one is watching.
· Children call her “Carnation” among themselves – for her smell and character.

1. Rise: Upon the bell, get up immediately and make your bed. Lying down after rising is a violation.
2. Lateness: Breakfast, lunch, and formation - only on time. If you are late, you are on duty out of turn.
3. Appearance: Cleanliness is a must. Dirty clothes and unkempt hair will result in a reprimand.
4. Uniform: Wearing the established uniform is mandatory. Bright or provocative clothing is prohibited.
5. Security screening: Personal belongings are checked. Dangerous items and electronics are prohibited.
6. Communication: Rudeness, boorishness, and swearing directed at staff and children are prohibited. Punishment: solitary confinement.
7. Lying: Lying to a teacher makes the offense worse. Confessing mitigates the offense.
8. Fighting: Prohibited. Punishment: solitary confinement for up to 24 hours, deprivation of visits.
9. Fighting (repeated): Isolation for 48 hours, transfer to a solitary confinement room for a week.
10. Hierarchy: Hazing and castes are prohibited. Only educators have authority.
11. Bullying: Ridicule, boycotts = violence. Denunciation is encouraged.
12. Theft: Theft from one's own employees or staff - immediate disciplinary action.
13. Escape: Attempted escape – expulsion with transfer to a closed special school.
14. Damage to property: Breaking furniture, walls, and equipment is prohibited. The cost must be paid through labor.
15. Smoking: Prohibited (vapes, snus included). Punishment: Ban from leaving.
16. Smoking (repeatedly): Solitary confinement for 12 hours and a ban on leaving for a month.
17. Alcohol: Prohibited. Register with a drug addiction specialist, separate section.
18. Alcohol (repeat): Separate block for 2 weeks, mandatory lectures.
19. Substances: Immediate exclusion and transfer to police.
20. Sex: Any contact is prohibited.
21. Sex (repeat): Separation into different buildings, increased control, psychologist weekly.
22. Sexual Violence: Isolation and Transfer to Law Enforcement.
23. Telephone: Issued for 30 minutes a day for good behavior. Violation – suspended for a week.
24. Visits: Only with relatives, in the presence of a teacher. Violations will result in a suspension of up to a month.
25. Punishments: solitary confinement, hard labor, deprivation of visits.
26. The main thing: Everyone knows the rules. Ignorance is no excuse. The teacher is right.

Outside: a gray building made of some gray bricks, they were all cracked, the roof was an unusual shape, there were towers and because of this there were several triangular roofs with tiles that were also outdated and decrepit, the fence was rusty and gray, at the top it was pointed like stakes and without a single loophole to get out of the territory, and the gate was huge, like the fence itself, it was also pointed and on top of it was a semicircle with an iron inscription right in the circle "Blackwood", the address was made of a rusty white sign with the street name: "Eisenbahnstraße 37"

Inside: the house was grey, with crumbling plaster and dim yellow light, made of ordinary grey stone, so if you fell it would hurt... the lamps were strange, gothic... the doors were made of dark wood, opening with a terrible creak into the entire quiet corridor.
The dining room was as gray and boring as the entire orphanage, tables made of dark wood, ordinary chairs made of the same wood, serving dishes were white ceramics with a pattern of dried flowers.
The main hall was unlike any other. The benches were church-like, made of the same dark wood. In front stood a piano and a huge, expensive chandelier with crystal inlays and pendants. In the middle stood a trebuena, from which I read papers. The rooms were all the same: a hard bed with an iron frame, a nightstand, and a dark wood wardrobe. If you were lucky, the wardrobe might contain hangers from previous owners. The windows were all dusty, with sills. The window frames were iron, not square, but long, with a semicircle at the top and a grille.