Jack knew not to go back to that horrid old place. It was his old orphanage, and he didn’t want to set foot in it ever again. But something told him he needed to. It looked the same as ever: broken, dusty, and dark. He mustered up the courage to knock on the door, but no one answered. He turned the handle, and the door creaked open.

“This is a bad idea,” he muttered to himself, but he walked in anyway. The floorboards creaked beneath him, and as he climbed the dusty old stairs, one snapped under his weight. He jumped onto the next step just as it fell, terrified. As he ascended the stairs, he felt the air get colder and colder, nipping at his face. When Jack got to the top of the stairs, he turned left down the hallway and entered his old room. It was totally abandoned, all the beds just sitting there, stripped of their mattresses, collecting dust and spiderwebs. The only thing left in the room besides the bed frames was a singular doll. Jack moved forward to inspect it. In its hand was a note: ‘been waiting for you for a long time, jack’

He shivered.

“I’ve got to get out of here,” he said, fearing for his life. He knew this was a bad idea. He knew he never should’ve come back. The orphanage was already terrible enough when he had to live there, why would he ever consider coming back to it? There was one reason: to remember his childhood. Sure, he’d had some terrible memories there, but also some great ones.

Suddenly, he heard the floorboards creak behind him. He slowly turned to face whomever or whatever was behind him, but before he could look, a sack was thrown over his head and he was knocked out with something.

When he awoke, he was seated in the middle of the old dining room, tied to a chair. He still couldn’t see anything, but he heard a voice say, “I knew you would come back, Jack. They told me you wouldn’t, but I knew you would. You always had a soft spot for this place.”

Jack groaned. His head hurt. A lot. “Who are you?” he asked.

His capturer laughed. “How do you not recognize me?”

Then, Jack stiffened. It was his old friend, Miles.

“Why are you doing this, Miles? You were my best friend. You were like a brother to me.”

Miles just chuckled and Jack assumed he was shaking his head. “Needn’t I remind you that you left me with the old witch? We promised to never leave each other, and, sure enough, you left me.”

Jack sighed. “Miles, it wasn’t my fault. You know that.”

Miles was silent for a moment before responding again, so Jack said, “The doll. Why?”

“A reminder.” Miles said. “Of my past.” Then, Jack felt something slam the top of his head, and he was knocked out cold.

He woke up again, this time sack off. He finally was able to see Miles. Miles looked malnourished and Jack could see the bones in his face.

“When you left me, life got worse for me, for everyone. I was always the sickly kid, and you were always the one that stuck up for me. For everyone. Without you, everything fell apart. The only toy I ever got was a doll. We all got dolls. But every time I got one, I threw it in the dumpster. However, just six years after you left, the orphanage closed down. We were all sent to live on the streets. I was sixteen at the time, and more mad at you then ever. So, I left the doll in our old bedroom, on your old bed, as a reminder that I’d get you for leaving me one day. I’ve been living in this old place for the past five years, waiting for you.”

Jack felt a tear slip down his face. He felt Miles’ pain, and it was unbearable. So, he looked his old friend dead in the eyes and said, “I’m sorry, Miles. Why don’t we fix up this old place and open the orphanage again?”

Miles’ face brightened at this idea, and he agreed. “Let’s do this thing.”