Episode Four

Oh Hayoung

With brisk walks, I went through the maze-like walls of the old orphanage. My little, fragile hands were holding a book, the only thing left by my mother, my real mother. A postcard was stuck between its pages, only yet to be seen. Stealthily, I walked in my room but left it an inch open. The other parentless kids were on the room across mine. Their door was open and their eyes were sending judgments, nasty looks that tells me where to stand. I tried to ignore them but I know I was always different. I’m not normal. Everyone thinks that way, I was crazy, mad. I wasn’t. I just want to see my mom.

I was obsessed to find who gave birth to me, who left me in the dusk that winter evening. I was only thirteen that time. Too young to know the truth.

Suddenly, I heard noises in the hallway. It resonated, sounds like a man’s voice. I shouldn’t have heard it. No one would’ve but me. It was gift, the caretaker of the orphanage told me. They said I can hear better than any other people. I always thought she’s only saying that. In reality, I was just someone strange to all of them. And I was right.

“She never had a family visitor, not once ever since she was left in the orphanage’s doorstep.” I quickly distinguished who it was. It was one of the caretakers of the orphanage. I didn’t dare to peek outside. I can hear them clearly. My eyes dropped to the window, showing the snowy morning outside. I was still listening, dearly, wondering who she was talking to.

“Really? Then perhaps, isn’t she left with some possession from her mother? Any traces of background before?” A man’s voice which was a stranger to me. I don’t have a clue as to who he was at that time.

“I’m afraid not. Hayoung was typically a nobody, not even one single possession but a book and a name. We tried to look for clues but nothing.” The caretaker took a deep sigh before continuing. “Talks are running around kids with her in the orphanage. It was not so good talks… Hayoung was a strange girl. She really was.”

“I understand. Can I please see her now?”

Then a three knocks were left on the door before it opened.

“Hayoung? You have a visitor.”

I didn’t turn my head. I wasn’t curious how he looks like. I wasn’t curious if he’ll ever adopt me. I didn’t want to be adopted. I just want to grow enough and leave the place. I want… to escape.

“How are you, Hayoung?” The man greeted. I took a seat down and finally spared him a glance. He sat down on my bed and gave me a pair of expressionless eyes, something that resembled my own.

“Who are you?” I aske