Night fell on the orphanage, and palpable tension filled the air. Stanley and Tom were advancing cautiously through the darkness, their steps suffocated by the oppressive silence of the place. Thanks to their friends, they had managed to introduce themselves discreetly into the building. The twins Yvan and Eldryck had broken a pot in the kitchen to attract the attention of the supervisors, while Mike and Kenny feigned a noisy argument near the refectory. Mélia, always ready to improvise, had simulated a spectacular fall to add to chaos.

  Stanley cast a nervous look at Tom, whispering:

  - We are almost in the dormitory. Keep your calm, okay?

  But in the corridor leading to their destination, a familiar silhouette stood in front of them. Elias, accompanied by his acolytes Eustache and Amalric, was waiting for them with a sly smile.

  - Well, well, look that here, "said Elias in a mocking tone. The runaways are back.

  Stanley felt her heart tighten. He knew Elias too well and his taste for trouble.

  -Let us pass, Elias, he said, trying to keep calm.

  Elias burst out laughing.

  - And why would I do that? You have broken the rules. Maybe I should go see the director ...

  Stanley, desperate, changed tone.

  - Please, Elias, don't do that.

  This supplication tore a contemptuous laugh from Elias, who turned to his stooges.

  - Do you hear that? The little Stanley who begs. Pathetic.

  Melia, furious, intervened.

  - Stop making fun of him, Elias. You're not better than us.

  But Elias ignored him, his attention riveted on Stanley.

  - What do you know, Stanley? Implore me again. Maybe I'm going to change my mind.

  Stanley, his face blushed with shame, tried to keep his cool.

  - Don't do that, I beg you ...

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  Melia, indignant, advanced a step.

  - Stanley, stop! You don't have to lower yourself in front of him.

  But before she could say more, Elias placed herself in front of her with a cruel smile.

  - Do you want to play the heroines? Alright.

  Without warning, he violently grabbed his hair and pulled it back. Melia shouted in pain, while Elias laughed, encouraged by Eustache and Amalric.

  Tom, hitherto silent, lives red. He rushed to Elias, projecting him against thewall. The blow made Elias, who tried to defend himself, but Tom, mad with rage, did not leave him the opportunity.

  - No one touched my friends, yelled Tom, hitting Elias.

  Eustache and Amalric took back, hesitating to intervene. Stanley, panicked, tried to separate Tom and Elias, but Tom's anger was uncontrollable.

  - Stop, Tom! cried Stanley. You're going to spoil everything!

  The din quickly attracted the attention of the supervisors, the steps of which resonated in the corridor. Hearing this, Eustache and Amalric fled, abandoning Elias to her fate.

  The supervisors came in a rush, discovering Elias, Tom and Stanley in total chaos. Without asking questions, they seized the three boys and dragged them to the director's office.

  The director of the orphanage was an imposing man with gray hair pulled back, and with icy expression. He observed them in silence, seated behind his immense office.

  -You three, start in a calm but threatening voice. Do you think I'm blind? Do you think I haven't seen what you are looking at?

  He motioned for a supervisor.

  - Bring Elias back to her dormitory.

  The supervisor hesitated, but a glossy look of the director is enough to convince him. Once Elias gone, Tom spoke, his trembling voice.

  - Sir, that was not what you think ...

  The director raised a hand to silence him.

  - Enough. Do you think I'm silly, Tom? I saw everything that happened. You have violated the rules when you enter after the curfew. And you, Stanley, you continue to follow this Grim ...

  Stanley clenched his fists.

  - Grim has nothing to do with that!

  The director's slap was so fast that Tom Suversa. Stanley stood her cheek, eyes bright with anger.

  - Don't talk to me about this tone, spat the director. Do you know where you are going to end if you continue like this? Like your father. This bastard who abandoned you.

  It was too much for Stanley. He yelled, tears in his eyes:

  - Don't talk about him! You don't know anything about him!

  The director straightened up, impassive.

  -Take it into the cellar. Maybe it will teach him to stand.

  Two supervisors seized Stanley and dragged him out of the office, despite hisprotests.

  When Tom returned to the dormitory, he found Mélia, the twins, Mike and Kenny who were waiting for him, worried. Mélia approached.

  - Where's Stanley?

  Tom looked down.

  - He's down ... They took him to the cellar.

  A heavy silence settled. Mélia put a comforting hand on Tom's shoulder.

  "We're going to get him out of there," she said gently. We will find a means.

  Tom, his face marked by anger and helplessness, hugged his fists.

  - This director will pay for what he does to him. I promise you.