In a distant land, an orphan girl was sitting under a tree, slowly petting the soft, fluffy gray fur of the orphanage cat, Smokey. She was far too old to play games such as hide and seek or tag, so she sat and watched the younger kids play games in the beautiful fields and forests. She was 13 years old and thought those games were for the littles. Although, she missed playing those games. Though, she never joined. She just sat. She sat and watched the little ones play their little games.

As she was watching, one of the littles ran up to her. A six-year-old with fair skin and long wavy black hair that was braided.

“Willow! Willow!” She yelled running up to the girl.

“What’s up, Lana?” Willow asked, patting the six-year-olds head.

“Have you seen Mikey?” Lana asked, giggling.

“No,” Willow replied, smiling softly.

“Ok, then what about Annabelle? Have you seen Bella?” Lana asked, giggling even more.

“I can’t tell you where they’re hiding if you’re the seeker, silly,” Willow said teasingly. Lana looked down pouting.

“Oh! I know! How about you come and play with us! You can help!” Lana exclaimed.

“Lana,” Willow said with a sigh, “You know I’m too old to play those games now.”

“You’re never too old to play!” Apollo said hanging upside down on the tree, startling Willow, Smokey, and Lana in the process. “You only live life once!” He hops down from the tree but falls.

“How about some warning next time you scare me like that, Apollo?” Willow said, rolling her eyes teasingly. She set Smokey down as she stood up to help the older boy off the ground.

“I’m fine.” He says, refusing the helping hand that was given to him. He grunts as he gets up dusting off the dirt from his clothes, “We only live life once! If you wanna die sad, guilty, and lonely, be my guest.” Apollo said. Apollo was 13 years old but would be 14 in a month. He moved his brown, silky hair out of his face but it moved back into his face.

“I’m not sad, guilty, or alone,” Willow told him, hands on her hips.

“Then go play! Go have fun! I’m almost a year older than you and I’m playing with them. Me! Compared to me you’re a pro when it comes to being active!” He said.

“Yeah, so come play with us! Please!” Lana pleaded.

Willow looked down. A horrified look washed over her eyes. A memory seized her body and she froze in place. She quickly got over it and smiled. “I’m sorry Lana, but I can’t.”

Lana looked down and walked away. “Is this about what happened to Wisteria?” Apollo asks quietly once Lana leaves.

Wisteria...

The real reason she never played anymore. Wisteria was a name that Willow didn’t want to hear. It was the name of her dead sister. Or, well, Willow assumed she was dead.

One day, Willow and her twin sister, Wisteria were playing catch with the younger children in the forests. The ball had fallen in the Forbidden Forests.

The Forbidden Forests were forbidden for a reason. The owner of the orphanage, whom the kids referred to as Mom, had told them that the forbidden forests weren't safe. No one was allowed in the forests.

Even still, Wisteria went into the forest to retrieve the ball. That was 1 year ago. Almost 2 years had passed since that happened. Wisteria still hadn’t come back. From that day on Willow made sure that all of the littles stayed away from the gates that separated the kids from the forests.

“It is about Wisteria, isn’t it?” Apollo asked. He took her silence as a yes. She sat back down, Smokey climbing back into her lap. She continued to stroke the gray fur of the feline. Apollo sat next to her. He brought out one of his books and read. They sat like that in a comforting silence for a while. Tears ran down Willow's face, she gently set her head down on Apollo’s shoulder as he read.

Moments later, someone else ran up to them. Willow sat up and quickly wiped the tears off of her face. “Hey guys!” The boy said as he ran up to them his face turned from joy to concern, “Willow, are you okay?”

Willow smiled, “Oh! Mason! I’m all right! I promise.” She assured him.

He shook his head and slightly chuckled, “Something’s wrong. I know it.”

“What makes you think that?” Willow asked

“Well, it’s obvious you were crying.” Mason points out, “Your eyes are all red and puffy.”

“Yes, I was crying,” Willow admitted, “But it isn’t a big deal!”

“Whatever you say, Willow,” Mason says, teasingly rolling his eyes and Willow laughs.

“Hey.” Apollo whispers, getting Mason and Willow’s attention, “I have a great idea!”

“What might this ‘Great idea’ be?” Mason says using finger quotes playfully mocking Apollo.

Apollo pointedly looked at Mason. “My great idea is,” Apollo pauses and looks at Willow, “No, never mind, it’s stupid anyways.”

“No, tell us! I want to know.” Willow pushed, “All your ideas are great ones.”

Apollo sighed, “I’ll tell you guys tonight.” He continued reading his book leaving Willow and Mason sitting there confused.