A Boy Called Orko

The Night Of August 15, 2002

Eternia Care Home

Right now, you’re hearing the voice of adult Orko talking. That’s me. I’m Orko. And I want to recount to you my time in a foster home. Being thrown around in the care industry is a stupid idea according to me, you get thrown into one foster home, then back into care. Thrown into a foster home, then back into care. Thrown into a home, back into care. This is a never ending pattern where the kids endlessly bully you or shove your head down an excrement-filled toilet. Gross! This is a story about me, Orko, the lucky one.

This is the Eternia Care Home, where I lived with my bullying friends: Adam, Teela, Ram Boy, Buzz Off, Stratos, Buzz Off, Skeletor, Evil Lyn, Beast Boy (no, not a certain green skinned teenager), Stinkor and Trap Jaw. Some people call them my ‘friends’, but not me. They were all my bullies. They would throw me around, scream and shout into my ears and watch football on the telly with the volume turned up high. Their carer, Man-At-Arms, was fine with this, and let them do whatever they want.

I was only four at the time, so I was the one who was most bullied. One night, I just sat there on the sofa channel surfing while everyone fought behind me, and Man-At-Arms tried to wrestle with them. If this were animated, you guys may see flashing images, but no, I’m glad you’re not seeing them, thank god. As I was switching through channels, Adam grabbed the remote from me. “Gimme that!” he cried, “I wanna watch the football!”

That was it. I’ve had enough. A sense of emotional rage filled my body and mind as I shot off the sofa and ran to the front door. When approaching it, I quickly shot round to face my shocked friends and said: “YOU NEVER LOVE ME! YOU’RE NOT MY REAL FRIENDS ANYWAY!!” and floated out the door crying. Everyone sniggered cheekily, but all Man-At-Arms could say was:

“Thank god he’s gone.”

Optimus' Office

Now was the time I found a foster home of my own. I looked all around for my former social worker, but when I found her in her office, she was slumped on the office desk, with a puddle of alcohol coming out of her mouth. She had died of alcohol poisoning. It was the most shocking thing I’ve ever seen, and I sat down by the desk to cry. I thought I was going to stay at that noisy, loud and unforgiving Eternia Care Home with my ‘so-called friends’ all the time and never find a home. But then, a piece of newspaper floated down by me, and I picked it up. It read:

“Looking for a friendly, warm, kind social carer? Contact: OPTIMUS PRIME.

On 0800 555 7171.”

I knew exactly what I wanted to do - phone that social carer right away. So I picked up the phone and started to dial. Next thing I knew, I was chatting to Optimus, and he felt very friendly. A few minutes later, I was in his office, listening to office faxes and typewriters chittering and beeping as Optimus’ giant fingers danced on his keyboard. I just drooped like a wilting flower in the sunshine as I listened to the maraca-jacka music of Optimus’ keyboard.

“How old are you, son?”

“I’m four. It can be difficult to find a proper care home when you’re four. There are lots of terrors in your life you just can’t avoid: knives, guns, violence, bookshelves…anything can terrify you when you are my age.”

“Can you tell me a little bit about your previous foster home?”

“Everyone in my foster home used to bully me for my magic. I mean, the food was so disgusting it tasted like old boots, and I never had fun, but the other kids would exclude me.”

“Okay, not always?”

“All the time. No one has ever loved me except my parents.”

“Where is your father?”

Using my magic, I produced a photo of my parents when I was a baby onto the counter of his enormous Autobot-sized desk. “Here.” I said. “My parents were shot when I was one, so I was forced into the care system at said age. And nobody ever cared for me! None of my so called friends ever loved me! Please, Optimus, don’t put me in a care home, please! I want someone who can love me!” At once, I began to cry. Optimus looked into my yellow, tear-filled eyes and said the most unforgivable thing ever:

“Right. I’m going to take you to a really nice place with other children who are like you-”

“NO!” I interrupted loudly, “NOT ANOTHER CARE HOME! NOT ANOTHER CARE HOME! OPTIMUS!”

Optimus looked at me in concern, then looked at the photo on the billboard. It was of him and a beautiful yellow furred lioness cub who was two years older than me, Furaha. She was his daughter. “Alright, why don’t I take you to my house so I can take care of you? I’m sure my daughter Furaha won’t mind.” “I looked at the photo,” I explained to Optimus, “Why is your daughter a lioness cub?” “She’s adopted, Orko.” explained Optimus. “I took her under her wing after her parents were killed by hunters.” I sat there in silence, wondering for a moment. Then Optimus calmly said: "Oh Orko, I know how hard it must feel, being in a care home where nobody loves you. Listen: my daughter and I will give you all the love, cuddles and fuss you’ll need.”

Excited to tears, I leapt into Optimus’ giant arms and hugged him like there was no tomorrow. He chuckled at how ticklish my little cloak was. “You feel like the perfect son for me.” whispered Optimus into one of my long, pointy ears. “And you feel like the perfect father for me…dad.” I wept, a great tear falling down my shadowed face.

Leaving For The USA

Immediately, Optimus decided to quit his job, meaning he is now a stay at home dad to me and my new sister. Once he got out of the building, he transformed into robot mode and said, “Hop in, Orko.” I felt very shy at first, but then I hopped into the front seat, and my seatbelt was done up for me. “Thanks, Optimus. You’re so kind…” I smiled under my shadowed face.

The drive to Optimus’ house was silent and motionless. A few times we talked together, but into the night we drove. At 11 O’clock, I felt so tired, I just had to relax in Optimus. Optimus was so adored by my behavior, he sang this song:

“What if I told you,

I could love you,

If I waited…

Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow,

Maybe too late.

Birds fly above you,

Love is around you,

I would like to be too,

Forever, forever, forever…

With you.

I would follow you

Anywhere you would want me to,

Tomorrow…

Forever…

Always.

And if you were to

Sail across the ocean blue,

I would like to sail with you,

I’d follow, I’d follow, I’d follow…

…you home.”

August 16, 2002

Orko Arrives Home

“Orko…Orko, wake up.”

Immediately, I woke up. The sun was shining brightly into my eyes, and I looked out the window at a whole neighborhood before my eyes. “Wow!” I cried, “This is definitely different from the neighborhood I’ve been in.” “Too many noisy kids, I presume. This is a quiet neighborhood where I live. Lots of friendly people there, I guarantee.” “How friendly are they?” I asked, curious. “Very friendly, you’ll see,” I chuckled. “Look, here we are at my house.”

I looked, and saw a huge, enormous house, with an enormous door for Optimus, and a very small lioness cub sized-door for what I presume might be Furaha. “Is this my new home?” I asked. “It sure is, little mischief.” I giggled at what Optimus had called me. Usually, back when I was at that care home, Adam and his mates used to call me horrible names and bully me for my magic, like I told you earlier. Not with Optimus, he was lovely and kind to me.

Once we stopped outside Optimus’ neat and tidy house, I hopped out as Optimus transformed to robot mode. We walked up to the front door, and Optimus said, “Here we are. Knock on the door, Orko, will you?” At once, I knocked on the big front door. It made three huge banging noises, and the sound of pattering footsteps came to the door.

Meet Furaha

“Hi there!” Furaha, just as I expected she would look in real life as she did in the photo I saw in Optimus’ office, opened the small front door, so we just chuckled and went towards it. “Hello, Furaha. Were you good for your babysitter last night?” “Yep, extremely good,” smiled Furaha. “Furaha,” said Optimus, “I want you to meet somebody very special. Come in and we’ll talk about it together.”

Optimus lead me and Furaha into the living room, where I saw how huge the furniture was. There were huge tables and chairs, sofas and even huge carpets. Even the roof was raised to fit Optimus’ height. “You two get comfy while I get some cocoa ready.” said Optimus, and so Furaha and I sat down on the huge sofa and tried to get to know each other. Furaha was pleased to make a new friend, and introduced herself to me. “I’m Orko. It’s so nice to see you, Furaha,” I said. “Well, I’ve been living with Optimus since I was a baby,” said Furaha, “And I’m not even joking. What was your life like before I popped in just now?” “Horrible,” said Orko, “I don’t want to talk about it.” Furaha saw how disappointed I was, and put her paw on my shoulder. “Whatever it is, you can talk about it.” said Furaha, “I can understand everything.” “Well, I used to live in Eternia Care Home. Everyone there was horrible to me, including the carers. They won’t even let me play!” Orko let out a huge sigh of grumpiness.

“Cocoa’s ready!” called a voice from the kitchen. Optimus brought in a small tray of two mugs of cocoa - one for me and one for Furaha. When I tasted it, I felt waves and rivers of chocolate splash about in my brain - instantly, the loud noises and thoughts of my previous home flew out of my head and were replaced by the calm and serenity of my new home where I would be staying forever. “Orko told me everything,” Furaha told Optimus, “Everyone in his previous care home was nasty to him. We’ll be kind to him, right?” “Yes. We’ll be his new family.” said Optimus warmly. He looked at Orko. “You won’t be feeling peer pressure now, Orko, you’re in a kind, caring environment. The environment they put you in before was…too unsettling for my taste. I’m so glad you’re here with me and my daughter.” At once, a warm and fuzzy feeling overcame me, like a thousand robotic teddy bears sharing a hug with me. At once noticing Furaha would be my new sister, I hugged her, to which she hugged me back. At once, I felt loved, for the first time in four years. I felt my heart beat slowly, and my body go all warm and soft from the effect of her hugs. Furaha and Optimus were now the only people I would turn to from now on.

Furaha & Orko Play Together

After we’d finished our cocoa, Optimus sent the both of us off to play while he did the housework. I couldn’t believe it. For the first time, I was actually playing. With someone else! My new sister. Furaha. She was an expert at playtime, and how happy I was when we played tag in her room. For the first time also, I was laughing. I didn’t laugh a bit when I was in care, but now I felt the freedom to laugh and play all I wanted.

Furaha and I had a great time. We ran around the clean bedroom trying to catch each other, laughing and squealing loudly. We were giggling and whooping in joy as we ran after each other. When it was my turn to be chased, Furaha finally caught hold of me, hugged me and flew onto her bed, with me in her arms. How we laughed! When our laughter faded, Furaha rolled over onto her tummy and I cuddled her. “I love you, big sister.” I yawned, to which Furaha said, “I love you too, little brother.”

Then Furaha rolled over onto her back and lifted me high into the air. I squealed and whooped in joy as Furaha lifted me high into the air. “Wheeeeeee!” I cried in joy, “Look at me! I’m flying!” “I thought you already floated.” said Furaha. “Who cares,” I said, and we continued laughing as Furaha lifted me higher and higher into the air.

As Furaha put me back onto the bed again, I suddenly felt tired. “Time for a nap,” I yawned, and I snuggled into Furaha’s bed. Furaha was more than happy to invite me into her bed, so she pulled the duvet over me and kissed me ‘happy nap time’.