It was a humid July night. The moon had eclipsed over the sun, creating a chilling atmosphere. An eery fog masked the ground, and the air grew solid in the young woman’s lungs. She gasped and sputtered as her legs burned. They attempted to carry her throughout the streets of Stairston. The blood was steaming in her veins, and with each lane she crossed- the thought of her fate became more taunting. She had to keep the infant son she held so close safe from him.

 

         She stumbled down an aging dirt road until she was confronted by an enormous building. It was at that moment when realization hit her. Her baby’s only chance to live rested in the arms of another. The sign had seen many years- with it’s old rustic engravings worn away she could barely make out the words. “Orphanage”. Looking up and the sun, she tried to hold back her hot tears, and prayed. Prayed to God that her newborn would never share the same fate as her, never know what- more or less who he really was. Holding her breathe she untied a rusted key that hung from her neck and bestowed it upon her child. Whispering in silence she comforted her son. With a last glance of her true sapphire eyes, she kissed his head one last time. “Goodbye my innocence, I will always be with you.” She turned away from the scene and ran into the darkness.

 

         Her body started to feel numb. The muscles in her body ached with the pain of fire, and knowing she could not fight it any longer she staggered into a deep alleyway. Her body gave in. Falling to the cold ground she tried to close her eyes. Her fate was set. She knew every step she took, he took twice as many. Taking what she knew to be her final breath she noticed his shadow overpower her. The last words that bled from her mouth rang out in silence. “I’m sorry.”