After Rebirth I Chose to Opt Out of the Lottery Novel

Chapter 13 Brian helped me get the orphanage license reinstated . Miraculously , on the third day , a district officer brought in a little girl who'd been wandering the streets . The child was terrified of people . After the officer left , she hid in the classroom , refusing to come out no matter how we coaxed or threatened . Michelle threw up her hands . " This kid's tougher to handle than I am . " When bedtime came , I spread a quilt in the middle of the classroom . The girl huddled trembling in the corner , silently watching me .

After smoothing the quilt , I crawled in first and waved her over . " Come , it's warm here . " She inched closer bit by bit , finally burrowing under the covers . Her whole body shook with tension . Cradling her like Mom used to , I patted her back . " Don't be scared , the bad people are all gone . " She reminded me so much of my childhood self that I named her Laura too . I taught her to brush her teeth , bathe , eat with fork and knife , and write - just as Mom had taught me . But little Laura clung only to me , ignoring both Brian and Michelle entirely .

Weeks later , with my encouragement , little Laura extended an olive branch to Brian first . Michelle fumed . " Why him ? I'm not scary ! " Brian smirked . " Your face might as well have ' intimidating ' stamped on it ! " Michelle chased Brian around the yard , little Laura joining the pursuit . " Sister , no hit big brother ! No hit ! " Lately , my tumor seemed to have grown , making me mistake Brian for Roger constantly . 0.00 % 11:19 Chapter 13 288 Vouchers One sleepless night . I saw Roger instead of Brian smoking on the rooftop . I clung to him and sobbed for what felt like an eternity .

Like now - I could almost see our orphanage days replaying : Michelle chasing Roger , Laura shielding Roger . Finally Brian scooped up little Laura and dashed off , leaving Michelle panting beside me . " Doesn't Laura protecting Brian remind you of how you shielded Roger as a child ? " " Micneile , I'm tired . " I rested my head on Michelle's shoulder and drifted asleep . Turns out souls truly depart when people die . Michelle only realized I'd passed when her shoulder grew numb from my weight . " Laura ! " Michelle's face streaked with tears .

I'd made Michelle promise : no tombstone when I died . Bury me by the orange tree beside Mom . Next year when they visit , they can sit under its shade and eat the oranges I bear . I'd insisted Roger never learn of my death , but since neither of us showed at City Hall after 30 days , the system update revealed my registered residence had been voided .