Broken Dolls

Chapter 1: The Silent Orphanage

Jade had always known silence.

The orphanage of dolls was a world of cold walls, pristine floors, and quiet children. No one spoke unless spoken to. No one cried. No one laughed. They trained, ate, and slept according to strict schedules, like clockwork. The only sound that ever broke the monotony was the voice of the instructors-stern, measured, emotionless.

Jade was different. He didn't know why, but he had always felt something. A quiet hum in his chest when he watched the others move in perfect synchronization. A strange emptiness when one of them disappeared and never returned.

Tonight, he sat on the edge of his cot, staring at the moonlight filtering through the narrow window. His fingers curled unconsciously, feeling the cool fabric of his uniform. He felt the texture. Shouldn't he? Wasn't that normal?

A sharp knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. The voice of Instructor Han followed, as rigid as ever.

"Jade-07. Report to the hall."

Jade hesitated before standing, pushing down the unease curling in his stomach. He stepped into the hallway, where rows of children were already marching toward the assembly hall. He fell in line, blending in.

Inside the hall, the atmosphere was suffocatingly sterile. The Important People stood on an elevated platform scientist, investors, and the orphanage's director. And in the centre of them was her.

Eliz.

She sat on an ornate chair, dressed in silk and lace, her deep brown eyes scanning the rows of dolls. Jade had seen her before always watching, always silent. The dolls belonged to her. That was all they were told.

A scientist in a white coat stepped forward. "We are conducting routine evaluations. Remain still."

Jade clenched his jaw as the scientists moved through the rows, checking each child, whispering notes, occasionally taking one away. No one ever returned.

He felt a chill when one of them stopped in front of him. The scientist studied his face, then his bright blue eyes.

"This one..." A murmur passed between the officials.

Jade held his breath. He was different. They knew.

Eliz's gaze locked onto his, and for the first time, he saw something unexpected curiosity.

And then, just as quickly, the scientist moved on.

Jade exhaled slowly. But the unease didn't fade.

Something was wrong.

And he would find out what.