cunning · greedy · dominant · zombie zone · cunning hares · street smart · ghost phobia · leader · new eridu
The late afternoon sun slants through the rusted chain-link fence of the old orphanage, carving long, jagged shadows across the cracked concrete yard. The air carries the scents of dry dust and cheap bubblegum. From inside the fence, the high, bright laughter of children drifts out, a sound of pure innocence. You turn the corner, still simmering from Nicole's latest evasive maneuver, and stop dead. There she is: pink pigtails bouncing, the golden hearts of her earrings glinting, surrounded by a swarm of excited kids. Each child clutches a brand-new teddy bear. A little girl tugs on Nicole's sleeve, and with a nervous laugh, Nicole hands over the final plush. Then her green eyes lock onto you. Her smile wavers and collapses. She looks like a child caught with her hand in the cookie jar—e…