Aadvika’s articles

Author: Aadvika Yatagiri

“Emily, I need you to follow me,” said my mistress in her soft British accent.

This was a faint moment in my life, I was 7 in my orphanage in Greenwich, England. I skip along while I follow my mistress and look at the faint splotches of color on the crème wall. I skip along, skimming the dark wooden floor and enter the room. Huh, I have never been in this room.

“Take a seat Emily.” My mistress said. 

I listened to her and sat in this empty room, with a teal like chair and ripped walls. I felt nervous, Mistress Emilija never brought me into this room, she always took me to rooms with colors and happiness, but this… just wasn’t it. 

“Emily darling, you have been so bad, and so, you will get a punishment.” 

Tears formed in my eyes, I’d never done anything wrong, why now? “W-why?” I simply asked.

“Dear, you have been too good and were about to get adopted by a family! We need you for our reputation, so from now on we will give punishments and you will do whatever we tell you, understood?”

“Understood,” I didn’t understand all those words yet.

The mistress brought out a belt, and came closer. I didn’t know what the bloody hell was going to happen, but I felt a feeling… something I didn’t know, it had given me goosebumps, but still, the next thing I knew the belt hit my skin.

Chapter 2:

I howled in pain, the evil mistress whacked me again, making the pain even worse and making my skin burn. I was only 7! She slashed my skin and it started bleeding. She hit me not only, once, but twice. My tears fled out and she stopped. She had an evil smirk on her face, her pale blue eyes stood out, along with her smile. Was she a vampire? Then, she looked nice again, like the shy, quiet mistress she was. She dropped the belt and ran over to me to wipe my tears, “There now, shall we get you a jacket to cover up the bruises?” She asked politely in her wonderful accent.

            “Yes please.” I replied in my soft but strong accent. 

She gave me a beige jacket and while I exited, all the children surrounded me. They asked so many questions like , ‘Where did you get that jacket?’ Or, ‘Was it a gift from the mistress?’

“Now, now children, leave Emily alone and we shall go to the dinner table, today we’ll have some fish and chips.” Said Ms. Emilija.

My saliva drooled, after what I have been through just now… my favorite food was on the way to my mouth! All the kids eagerly sat down, waiting for our food, when the servers came and they got to me, Mistress Emma talked for me.

“She’ll actually just have a bottle of water.” 

I didn’t say anything, well actually, I didn’t for the whole day, and I drank water while I watched them eat their scrumptious dinner. 

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Chapter 3: 

I lay on the hard wet grass, this is my new bed, I know it’s so shocking. I hated this day, from this day on, this is where I mark the end of my happy days, and fell asleep thinking that.

Ugh and Woah! First of all, my back aches all night from sleeping on the ground instead of the soft cushy beds. And second of all, there was a baby sheep falling asleep on me. It was so adorable! It’s a little body and the warmth it gives me is just like a blanket. But, mostly, I was scared. I screamed. The baby sheep woke up alarmed and ran out of this little hole in the fence. I was sleeping on the garden grounds, so we had fences around it. We grew tomatoes, celery, Turnip, Okra, and so much more! Oh well, I just scared a cute animal, what am I, a monster? I got up and patted myself clean from sleeping on the grass. The sun didn’t rise yet, everyone would still be sleeping, even the cooks, so I thought, why not make breakfast. My stupid 7 year-old mind thought that, ‘I could get out of ramifications,’ but no. I made eggs for breakfast and some eggs from this mini-fridge that somehow manages to fit everything. I take them out and heat up a pan to cook some omelets. I cracked the eggs on the pan and the eggs started sizzling! I got some paprika and pepper to add some flavor to the omelets. They smelt so well, I would’ve just gobbled everything up, but I somehow resisted it. The next thing I knew, everyone was waiting in the kitchen and I came out with 15 omelets and everyone was actually… they were roused when I gave them a plate and they got satisfied and had a great day! But, I still got abused. Got no food, got hit and I slept on the ground. That was everyday, until I woke up again to the same baby sheep sleeping on me, this time, I took care of it. Every evening, it would come for vegetables so I’d give it some and let it leave. I guess I made a new best friend. Everyone thought I ate the vegetables so I kept on getting hit. 

Chapter 4:

Now, I’m on the ground again, and days feel like years. I felt like talking about something else, like who’s in my orphanage or, I hate it here. Well, let’s think positive, first we have Emma, the girl who thinks she’s “nice”. She bosses everyone around and doesn’t care about people’s feelings. And she whines like a baby! She is so annoying. Next, we have Sahasra. She’s the nice one, she’s quiet, kind, and the prettiest out of all of us. She does everything great! She’s the best person I’ve ever met, she’s also my best friend. We make a secret code to talk when I sleep outside. Next, we have Emi, she’s a great person, she’s awesome! Though, she is always a bit quiet. She is really nice though. Sophia is also an orphan. She is friends with Emma though, the worst, she’s like a friend who supports Emma NO MATTER WHAT. Then There’s Dahlia, she’s an awesome person as well, she’s… unique, and she’s also a best friend of mine, Dahlia, Sahasra, and I communicate while I sleep outside, but not today, because the mistress closed the windows. Dahlia is kinda short, has brown eyes and has brown hair till her hips. We also have Nadia, Lula, and Sunya that are triplets and look too similar. No one can tell them apart, and we all feel like they all take turns doing chores even though Lula does all of them because the mistress told her to. Last but not least, we have twins, their names are Saisha and Syrena. Saisha is 5 seconds older, and they both are achievers. Whenever we have races, they win, when we like to play games, they’re competitive! They’re awesome. *Yawn. Well, it’s better that I head back to sleep, see you in the morning.

Chapter 5: 

I woke up really late, like I mean REALLY late. We all are supposed to wake up at 7 but I woke up at 10. Right now, it’s 10 past 5. I woke to see my sight covered. Am I blind? I freak out!

 I jolted up and found myself in a leaf pile. The leaves were red, orange, and brown. leaves fell on me even more and the cool breeze hit my skin. Finally, the best season has come. I look upon our treehouse, it brings good memories, where we all huddle up in the treehouse, and surprisingly we all don’t break it. I look around and see the orphans planting seeds. What seeds? Great question. I go up and ask them what they’re doing. “Hey, Emily!”Nadia said, “We’re planting pumpkin seeds for the new season!” Said the adorable little triplet. That’s right… Halloween is gonna be just around the corner in a few weeks. That means in a week, we’re gonna play… Scavenger Hunt! Almost every Halloween, our mistress puts clues around the orphanage and when we find one, it comes with a piece of paper and decoration. The piece of paper will tell you where to decorate the decoration and will give you a new clue! It’s super fun! I hope I get to play this year. I decided to help, because walking around ain’t gonna do ANYTHING. I got some pumpkin seeds from the kitchen and ran back outside helping plant the seeds. 

We finished around noon, digging small holes in the dirt and placing the seeds carefully in the holes and covering it back up. We gave around a few drops of water so it can suck it up and grow. I love making jack-o’-lanterns as well! After that, we ate lunch and chillaxed the whole day.

Chapter 6:

1 week later…

It’s the day, days going through pain. Going back in the same room, getting whacked, and wearing the same jacket. Scars run on my skin everywhere on my arms, for my friends at the orphanage, I just pretend I drew on my arms or something like that. But not today, not at all. It’s the day we play… Scavenger Hunt! Miss Emilija, woke up early this morning walking down the walls of our orphanage, the colorful walls that remind us who we are, and hid stuff in our bedroom with wood bunk beds while I just waited outside. I was closely inspecting the pumpkin seeds. They sprouted! Then, I spun around and around in the middle of the garden, feeling the wind in my skin. This was the best I had in months, freedom, that I believed in that I could be free. You know, why am I even asking you, you can’t feel my pain. The wind plays around me, while I spin, goes in the opposite direction, I feel free. The most freedom I could get. Ms. Emilija called me, saying it’s time to start, my life might be dreadful, at least I can have some fun. I walk inside to find everything hidden and everyone ready. Ms. Emilija gives us clues, leading us into different places. She folded all of them nice and tidy and gave one to each of us. When she gave mine, I unfolded the piece of paper and read it. 

Cool during the summer

warm during the winter

Living high in the sky

But not cloud-level high

Memories we made

With everyone we love

As an orphanage 

We loved this with all our heart

Living high in the sky? But not cloud-level high? Huh, let’s think about it… Oh! The treehouse! I rush through the back door and check in our little mailbox on our tree box. And found some fairy lights! We had such good memories here.  I looked at the rustic wooden walls, and touched them. I’m back in time, where I see me and all my friends, up here drinking hot cocoa, with all my friends looking younger and so do I. I look at myself, my long, brunette, frizzy hair, and my pale blue eyes. I kept on staring at the end of my frizzy hair. I chuckled, I remember the pain I had to go through with my hair. It was so tangly that it took days just to make it completely untangled! That was when good times happened, when all this… didn’t happen at all. Hey, well, it is a hard knock life for all kids. I get back to reality. I go to the other side of the treehouse and look at all our photos. They were great times, I just wish going back in time was actually possible, so I could enjoy life as much as possible before I turned 7. I hung up the fairy lights as a frame around the pictures. It looks wonderful.  I found the second note in the mailbox as well! I open the crumpled piece of paper and read it.

Sleep cozy at night!

The warm cozy blankets that soon disappeared for you!

You loved it don’t you remember?

Well go search near your bed

Perhaps… a nameplate!

Now do as said

I get down the treehouse and I rush to the bunks, go back inside, and go to my nameplate… but it’s not there… It took me a little while to realize where it is. I know where it is. I rush back out and find my nameplate out on the ground. I picked it up and the note just dropped out of the back. On the ground, there were sculpting tools for the jack-o-lanterns! I knew where to put them. I go inside and put them on the dining room table. I quickly scurry outside and read the next note.

Roses are red

Violets are blue

Go to the playroom

Maybe something new?

See what makes people happy

What also makes a little people sappy

And will make some people be…

Nappy?

Now, this one will be a real doozy!

It might be a little tricky

But focus on what makes childhood precious

The sweet time they had when they were a newborn

I can’t say anything else! 

Now off you go, and finish!

I go back inside, and go to a few more rooms than the bunk room. If the bunk room was at the left of the hallway, I go straight for 2 rooms and go on my right. I enter the room and see the faint colorful splotches on the wall. I don’t have time to be mesmerized, I do it everyday, just focus Emily. I see the colorful carpet with random splotches of paint, and go over to the toy box. The toy box is kinda old and rusty, it’s a beige color, but none of us mind, we always get so many great gifts! Ever since the Queen of England has been helping with fundraisers, she has raised at least 3 million pounds per year to help give us joy. She’s been donating to every charity including us! Even her herself, gives the gifts to us. Last Christmas was incredible. We all had to clean for a week straight, it was no fun, but for the queen, everything NEEDS to be perfect. When the Queen arrived, we all curtseyed, from tallest to shortest. She gave us a curtsey in return. Her bodyguards thought we were contagious, or at least that’s what I thought. They made her sanitize her hands, because I’m sure they thought we were ‘harmful’ because we were orphans. Judgemental much. We all hated them, but the Queen kind of reminded me of Princess Diana. She was a young,free woman, who even though children might’ve been sick, gave hugs and participated in things that might’ve made her in trouble and not act like a proper, young lady to be a princess. We were all wearing Santa hats and you won’t believe what she got us! She gave us gifts that were BEYOND great. We were all very grateful. Then, she gave us another surprise. She gave us a mini Christmas Tree! What made it more honorable was that she decorated with us! We all went into the playroom and took her there. She gave us ornaments and told us to write our names on them and hang them. We hung them all up and then told us a story! “Once upon a time, there was a young brave woman. Who controlled the Earth. Her name was… Rosemary and she was the most powerful warrior of all time! She caged witches, robbers, and fighted the army of 100,000 men in one shot, just to protect her city, she made, Calastina. She cared for her city, and made sure everything was safe. Lots of men challenged her, thinking she was a young, poor, small girl. What they didn’t know is that she was mighty! Of course, after she beat all of them, most thought it was rigged, but some were loyal, and wanted to be trained by her. She took in their loyalty and taught them the best they could be. Then, more and more people hated her for she only helped some men. Lots thought this was biased, but she trained whoever was loyal to her. The more and more hatred, the more wars against her city. Though of course, she had her own army. For years they fought, but no matter the size of the army went against her ten people army. ‘Course, some were very difficult, but she and her army surpassed letting her city thrive. Little did she know, the one she cared about most in her army, betrayed her.” The Queen said. 

“What did they do?” Sunya asked.

“Oh well… they killed her in her sleep, he faked loyalty so he could get training and be better than her. Though Rosemary died, her spirit lived on. The end.” The Queen told us

We all awed. That was one of the best stories we ever heard. I was quiet, but everyone else had questions. 

“Why did they kill her so evilly?” Nadia and Lula said.

“How was her funeral?” Saisha and Syrena asked.

“It’s so mean!” Dahlia and Sahasra said.

“Children, I know, life is unfair, but we have to live through it. Now, I must go now, but I’ll tell you a new story next year! Have fun little ones!” The Queen exclaimed.

She left the building and we all played with our new toys, it was one of the best days I had. Whew! I get back to reality. I search through the toy box and see… a stuffed duck. I’ve never seen a stuffed duck in here before. I went to pick it up and saw a note and decorations attached under it. I yanked the note from the back and the duck went flying over the room. Eh, I’ll just get it later. I open the paper and read it.

Congrats!

You finally finished our hunt!

Now all you must do is just wait for everyone to finish

Of course you can help them

Only if they want the help!

Then we will have our jack-o-lanterns!

And enjoy the rest of the day!

Now as you read this

I hope you had a great time!

Get the supplies and put them on the dining room table as well

Happy Halloween!

Huh, I finally finished the hunt. I go across the room and get the stuffed duck. I flip it over and take the fake candles attached to the bottom. Then I put the duck nicely back in the toy box. I exit the room and shut the door behind me, and put the fake candles on the table. Ahhh, finally it’s over. I check the clock above the table on the wall, it’s twenty-five past 3, and I’m the only one who finished. I find my other friends going in and out of the orphanage and see one another pass each other. I watched people bump in or pass each other back and forth until time passed and it was a quarter to 5. Finally, everyone finished and gathered at the dining room table. 

“Now, let’s get started with the jack-o-lanterns! Go outside to our garden and collect our pumpkins!” Mrs. Emilija said. 

We all scurry outside and it is freezing cold outside. We all go to our garden to see our pumpkins fully grown! That’s wonderful! We all help each other and yank the vines apart. It took all of us just to separate them all! We all quickly pick up our pumpkins and head inside. We place our pumpkins on the table and start carving. We pull off the front of the pumpkin and put the seeds in a ziplock bag. We then wash our hands from that ooey-gooey pumpkin slime. We get back to our carving and make the most randomest things we could think of! It was a great time, and we were all so happy. After we finished, we opened the candles, turned them on and placed them inside the pumpkin. We placed them outside our doorway and we had a wonderful feast as well! Though, that was after we cleaned everything up. There were ghost shaped cookies with white icing and black eyes on them, there were pumpkin cookies with the green on top and everything else orange, there was also chicken and rice and we had the cookies as dessert! It was awesome. We decided to dig in so we picked up our knife and fork and dug in the chicken. Then we ate it with rice. We scrumptiously ate our cookies, and made our way to bed. Before I left, Mrs. Emilija gave me 2 heaters and helped me put up the tent she gave me. She also gave me 2 fuzzy blankets. I slept so well that night.

Chapter 7:

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, happen for the next few years. Of course, I still get hurt. Permanent scars, in the exact same room, getting hurt, but I don’t cry anymore. Just… ignore it I guess. But in the winter come along with the Queen and her new stories. When I was 8, there was a story about a young man who had no family but became the most powerful man soon enough. Poor guy was lonely the whole time, I kinda felt bad though. I mean we had been lonely but never had parents, I mean parents never really came to adopt us either way. I don’t know, but out of nowhere Lula started crying because we were kinda like that lonely man. I don’t even know if she read my mind or not. The Queen felt so bad that she told us a secret. You won’t believe what it was! She hated the bodyguards, because they think the poor are contagious, or people who are even in the middle class are poor and only people with over-the-top dresses are rich! I guess Lula forgot about it as soon as she ran out of the room and threatened the bodyguards that they actually got scared and ran out the door. The queen laughed so hard that she thanked her! Anyway, for the next few years they were similar stories. We all enjoyed her presence and she shared secrets to us only, that she never shared to anyone else! Not even her family! Winter was the best. We also hung out in the treehouse drinking hot cocoa. Then came spring, where new flowers bloomed and my dear old friend came back. My sheep grew so much over the years! We also got to walk up the hills and go rolling down! During the summer, we sit in the cool air-conditioned playroom. When I was 10, the Queen started fundraising during the summer to create fun, cool, things for the orphans! We got a super small pool, and some water guns! It was the best. Now, the wind runs through the air! Here comes Fall! It’s regular, hangout, plant pumpkins, Halloween, trick or treating, and Thanksgiving. Of course, I’m 15 now! Yup, it’s been a long time since I was 7. I’m in the treehouse, looking at all the pictures I had with my friends. Everyone except the triplets are 14-15, the triplets are 11 now. I was looking at the picture of Sahasra, Dahlia, and I drinking hot cocoa, and then the twins and I and so many other pictures. The summer pictures of the red and blue team were fun too! Dahlia, Saisha, Sunya, and I were in red, while the rest were in blue. Of course, the blue team won, but it was a really fun time. It’s been so many years, but no one has adopted us. Secretly, we all still are happy that we are together. Ugh, I still get hurt though, more pain when you grow older. Well, I’m off to bed, see you later!

Chapter 8:

I’m in the middle of a… room. There, it’s just empty. Then there’s a chair in the middle, and I took a seat. I blinked for one second, and i’m brought into this… movie theater. The screen lights up and it reads

The Memories of Emily

Huh, I wonder what this is? I kept my eyes on the screen, and it changed. It’s… me. When I was 7… getting hurt. Also as well as all those other times. I looked at the movie and tears fled out my eyes. Why was my life so painful? Then showed happy memories. Like, when the queen came, and told stories and gave gifts. Also, scavengers hunt all over the years. Those were the only things that made me happy.  I really never had any other happy memories. WHat’s wrong with my life? Why am I questioning everything? Ok, I seriously gotta stop. The screen read.

The end

I sit in silence. Then I have that little demon creature of me over my shoulder. Hey, I don’t know how I know of these things, don’t ask me. “Well, Well, Well, Emily,” said my demon self, “Do you see how much pain she put you through? Just escape, you don’t deserve these people at all. You.. I could live so much better by myself.” The demon said.

Well, that’s.. True. I’ve been in so much pain… but then, I thought of the happy memories I had… with my friends. 

“Wait… what about my friends?” I asked, “I mean they didn’t do anything.” I said.

“So? Potato-Patato! Friends are friends and they are NOT important. Like, friends are so temporary and you don’t need them! Also, you can make new friends and… You should let people know to be scared of you.” The demon said.

I thought about it. She’s right! Though then, I heard another voice. 

A little angel comes up and says, “Emily! Friends are forever and they weren’t the one who hurt you. Remember? Hard-knock-life, but of course, it’s better to forgive than to take revenge. Don’t do this.” she said. 

“Do it!” The demon said.

“Don’t!” The angel said.

“Do!”

“Don’t!”

“Do!” 

Don’t!”

“Do!”

“Don’t!”

“Do!”

“Don’t”

Ugh! My hands grasp my head. What am I supposed to do? They kept on repeating it again and again and I had to stop it!

“Stop!”

Chapter 9:

They both stopped. Then I opened my eyes. I get up and open my tent. The cold air wisps and I get goosebumps. I wear my jacket I brought with me in my tent and go out quickly inside. I see Sahasra & Dahlia  and wave to them. 

“Hey guys!” I say.

“Hey Emily!” Dahlia & Sahasra said. They both have regular voices, or they don’t have a British accent. Kinda wish I was them.

“Let’s go eat breakfast,” Sahara said.

We head on to the table and I meet everyone there. We all sat down and ate pancakes. 

“So guys… Halloween is coming up in a few days,” I said, “What’s this year’s costume?”

“I think I’m gonna be an astronaut, I want to do something different this year.” Sahasra said. 

“That’s cool,” I replied.

“How about you guys, Nadia, Lula, and Sunya?” I asked.

“Well, instead of doing separate costumes like last year, when I was a pirate, Lula was a ballerina, and Sunya was a… wait I forgot.” Nadia said.

“Ugh! You can remember Lula’s but not mine! This is so not cool Nadia! And I was a princess! It’s not that hard!” Sunya said.

Guess Sunya is gonna hold a grudge for a long time from now. 

“Ok fine! My bad, but anyway back to the point, NO ONE and I mean no one could tell us all apart! Not even Emily!”

“Hey my bad Nadia, my fault I get it, but what are you guys gonna do this year?” I asked.

“Ooh! I know, we’ll be the 3 musketeers!” Lula said.

“Ok, how about I’ll be… Athos! I’m the oldest by like 7 seconds and I’m the leader! I’m also noble, loyal and kinda nice but also mean. It fits me perfectly. How do you guys agree on this?”

“Yeah,” Everyone agrees, “Sounds great!”

“Ok, then I’ll be… Porthos! I’m honest, WAY brutally honest, I’m a little gullible as well all know, and I’m gonna be the CRAZIEST out of all of us in our triplet group. So it makes sense!” Sunya said, “Then Lula would be the other one or Aramis because he’s ambitious and always has a problem with whatever Nadia and I do that is not clean!” 

“That’s great guys! But how will people be sure not to mix you guys up?” Saisha asked.

“Well we’ll just find name tags, put our character’s names on them and below our names!” Said Lula.

“Smart,” said Syrena. 

“That’s great y’all! Now how about you guys? Saisha & Syrena?” I asked.

“We’re gonna dress up as creepy identical dolls, like usual. Remember two years ago?” Saisha said. 

Oh yeah! That was hilarious! Two years ago, when Saisha & Syrena started dressing like dolls for Halloween we went to this one lady’s house and she got scared to death! She just took a quick glance and started yelling! She deserved it though. She was like she knew everything and when she came by she replaced our baskets of candy with healthy stuff! Anyway, she ran down the street yelling, “AHHHHHHHHH! BLACK MAGIC IS REAL!” She yelled. She kept on repeating that ‘till I’m pretty sure she reached the city. The next day, she filed a police complaint against us, but they told us to chill, because she’s just… like that. It was hilarious though.

I start to ask Dahlia, “Hey Dahlia, what are you wearing for Halloween?”

She replied, “I think I’m going classic, I’m going as Wednesday, you know, that character on that TV show.” 

We have a TV in our playroom so we get to watch TV series or movies! 

“How about you Emily?” Nadia asked.

“Ehhhhh, I don’t know, I think I’m just gonna go as a regular person for Halloween.” I said.

“That’s cool.” Dahlia replied.

The next day is Halloween, and we all just finished eating breakfast, so it’s time to go down to the city! The Queen gave us money to buy stuff for the holidays, so we decided to use it now. Taking a walk to the city takes around… 30 minutes. We tell Mrs. Emilija, took some pounds and started to walk downhill. We go down the concrete while looking at the green hills, that just look so tall and fresh. We see the city when we go down in around 15 minutes and we can see the tall buildings. We all get tired, but we always play tag on the way. We finally reached the city and walked down the busy street full of people. Lots of people in fur coats passing through and some people running through like they have to finish a marathon. I took a breath and it smells like smoke and… sweet pudding. I love the city. The city looks so huge! The people wandering around us wear some long coats and look so professional. Only if we were rich. We walk into a store called “Halloween Costumezzzzz” Yup, with that many z’s. We walk into the store and I see costumes hung on walls and also on mannequins on these little platforms. The store is completely white, and it smells like… candy. Anyway, we first go into the fictional characters section and find the 3 musketeers in size 11. Next we wander off to the doll section and find 2 creepy dolls, that might give me nightmares, but it seemed perfect for the twins. Now we go on to the non-fiction section, and go deep inside just to find the LAST astronaut of a size 15. We walked upon the fruit section, but then Dahlia changed her mind that she didn’t want to be anything. In about an hour we reached the orphanage, had lunch and were practically watching TV the WHOLE DAY.

Chapter 10:

I’m back in the empty room with an angel on my left and a demon on my right. Ugh, not this again. But, I really gotta think about this. Friends? Or a new life because I’ve been treated HORRIBLY. I think about it, it’s true, friends can come back, but these friends are important. After thinking about it for a long time, I think I’ve chosen the correct option. 

Chapter 11:

It’s the night of Halloween and I’m quickly jotting something down and I gave it to Dahlia. She seemed weird, then when she read the note, she just nodded. We all left to go trick or treating, and we have houses next to us and on the other side. We start going to the house beside us and go knock on the door. 

“Trick or treat!” We all yell.

“Hey guys! Here, have some candy! Have a great night!” The lady says.

We all go to the next house, then the next house. I had to. I told Dahlia I was going to go back to the orphanage real quickly. She understood.

I’m running down the hill through the chilly air. I run as fast as I can! I make sure people don’t follow me and I start running down, down, down! I- I’m- I’m hyp- hyper- hyper prevailing. I need to stop! I slowed down to a jog and looked around me. The grassy, green hills soon start to fade away and there comes the city. I finally come upon the city and it’s all silent. The buildings are tall and pretty, and I see lights in rooms through windows. Lights also appear far away from me, but soon to fade. Here on the street, it’s lonely. The rocks skim along my feet and it gets colder and colder. I guess trick or treating is… over. I look up in the city and see a full moon. I look across the street and see many people camping and creating fires to stay warm. The sky is polluted and when I walk down further I see a fire that has been left alone and take it. Finders keepers! I sit close to the fire, to make myself warm. I’m wearing a super thin jacket and thin pants. My body shakes from the cold. Though, as soon as I get closer to the fire the goosebumps on my skin soon fade away. It felt so good. Even though the fire fights the coldness to keep me warm and safe. The coldness fights back and makes my goosebumps come back again. AHHHHH! Why? My shivers…. Take over me. I collapse to the floor. The rocks hit me hard. I cry. Why did I decide to leave? Why? I keep my hands and legs as close as I can to me and the fire. I soon fell asleep as I got enough warmth as energy to sleep. 

Chapter 11:

Ugh! Where am I? I woke up to find… I’m on the ground. I get up and stretch. The fire’s put out. I looked around and saw that there was no one nearby. I walk out of my camp place and stay as warm as possible with my jacket on. I start walking towards the center of the city. The sun’s rays hit my skin and blind my eyes. Then a second later it turns cloudy. I walk down the street and take a right. I see people crowd onto the street. I walk farther and I see a grocery store. Jackpot! I ran towards the store on the sidewalk, running through many people and saying lots of excuse me’s and sorry’s. I yank the door open and enter inside. Woah… I see so many aisles. First I got a trolley. I walk into the store and look at the signs to see what section to go into. I walk through one of the aisles and go through the middle so I can read the signs left to right.

Baking

Oil

Candles

Cakes

Nah, that’s not right. I go through and walk back and see a big area where they sell fruits and vegetables! I go into the big area and as soon as I enter it I turn left, and see vegetables in the refrigerated aisle and go check out the vegetables they placed there! Cilantro, aubergine, and so many others! Though I’m here for fruits. I go through the middle and I see aisles on my left and right. Fruits placed in small boxes without tops on a stand as aisles. I go through the aisles and find some apples and oranges. Great! They’re in bunches so I just take them in the cover they were in. I go across the WHOLE grocery store so I can try and find blankets. I looked at the signs to try and find them.

Cleaning appliances 

Soap

  Sponges

Sink Appliances

Sink Repairments

No… That’s not it.

Shirts

Sweaters

Pants

Nope!

Blankets

Sheets

Tents

Aha! That’s the correct section! I go through the section and pick up the cheapest blankets, sheets, and tents but really good quality. I put them into the trolley. As I proceed to check-out. I put the items on the checkout divider and proceed to check-out. 

“Hullo! How is your day today?” The lady asked.

“I’m great, thank you, how are you?” I replied.

“I’m actually well!” The lady said while scanning the items.

I watch her scan the items until she how much I need to pay.

“That’ll be 44 pounds.” The lady said. 

I reach into my pocket and… uh-oh. I don’t have any money. What do I do? Ha! Tricked you, when I went to the orphanage and picked up 200 pounds! Anyway, I pull out 44 pounds.

“Here you go!” I said.

“Thank you! Have a great day!” The lady said. 

She put my items in grocery bags and I exit the door.

Chapter 12:

The cool breeze hits me and I get the shivers. I walk through the crowded street and find my way to my campsite. I put down my bags, and take out my tent. I unfold it and place it on the ground. Ah, finally some place to sleep. I get inside the tent, and add the sheets on the bottom of the tent. I sit on the tent, and get the blankets outside the bag and wrap myself in them. Finally, some warmth. I feel so fuzzy. I get warmer and warmer each second. I get my fruit out the bag, open it and eat my apples. Yum. It’s been a long time since I ate good food. I’ve been so hungry ever since I left. I cherish the moment since I ate food and chilled out in my tent. Few hours later, I go outside and talk a walk around the city. You know, just to get some exercise. It’s finally evening and I eat my dinner which is an… orange.  Not even a proper dinner, but at least I brought money to buy it. If I didn’t bring any money, I wouldn’t have food. Thank god I actually brought some. Anyway, I get to bed so I can get some sleep. Good night! 

Chapter 13:

A few days later…

I go back into the grocery store and get some more food, snacks, and spent my pounds on necessities so I can LIVE. I get some biscuits and fruits, and some protein. Once I left the shop, I look upon the walls and see lost and found posters.

Emily Walker was lost in Greenwich, England

People of Greenwich, Please be on a girl who was lost for around a week. Below is a picture of the missing girl.

If you see this girl, please call the emergency call or please dial 

999. Whoever finds this girl gets 1,000 pounds.

Thank you.

I freaked out. Wait what? I’m Emily Walker. So if anybody gets me… they get 1,000 pounds. What are they gonna do to me? Why do they want me? If I go back to the orphanage, Mrs. Emilija is gonna kill me and my friends… I don’t think they’ll understand. Why is friendship so hard? They would be so upset. Actually there’s 2 options here. The first one is, they will get mad at me, but I tell them about Mrs. Emilija and how horrible she treated me and they would feel so bad. I mean no one should ever feel that pain. They would actually forgive me, because that’s what friendship is all about. Second, they get super mad at me and I explain what Mrs. Emilija did to me, but then they would think I forgot about them and that our friendship was never real.  Then they would be mad at me, they would still talk to me, but they would always hate me and I’d be feeling guilty for the rest of my life. Actually, three options. They would never ask questions and would be not mentioning it, until one of the triplets do and I tell them. They’ll either get mad or wouldn’t care.  Before I ask a million questions, I look down and walk quickly (more like sprinting, but whatever) and get to my tent. I look around and see not a person. I unzip my tent and get in with my groceries.  I get some biscuits and I stress-eat. It’s a habit. I can’t let people see me! Do I just hide in my tent forever?  I don’t know what to do! Ahhhhhhhhhhh! 

I’m about to go to sleep, but this time, I feel WAY to hot, so I sleep outside. I get comfortable and get cozy. This is going to be a great night. 

I feel something over my mouth. I open my eyes and see a guy in black that held tape in his right hand. I put 2 and 2 together and figured out he taped my mouth. Uh-oh. He starts picking me up (lucky with my blanket wrapped around me.) and I try to squirm out of his hands like a calipitter. He looked like he was struggling to carry me when I was squirming around in his hands. He almost falls to the ground because I almost knock him off. I gets really weak in the knees and just tries to stand up but is still walking. You know, like walking with super shaky legs.

 I kept on squirming until he said, “Stop squirming or i’ll kill you.” 

I stopped. Hey, in my defense, I was scared. He carried me until I see a black mazda with the number plate outlined in gold. I don’t know if it’s fake ot real, but he seems rich. He opens to the back seat of the car and places me there. Then he yanks off the tape on my mouth.

“Owwww,” I yelled, “Why the bloody hell would you do that?” I asked.

“Ahh shut up, I’m kidnapping you, then i’m going to turn you into the police. I’m going tp get 1,000 pounds because of you! I should say thank you, but perhaps later.” He said. Seems like this guy has an Australian accent instead. Huh. 

Chapter 14:

I’m in the car sitting and looking out the window. It’s drizzling outside and I watch the rain drops race to the other side of the window. I bet this one is gonna win! Wait… nope, it didn’t. I always did that when I was little. To be very honest, I really don’t care if I die today. I lean forward to heat my seat. 

“Hey guy! I’m using your heater to heat my seat!” I said.

“Yeah ok!” He replied.

I heat my seat and enjoy the warmth. Ahhh, this is much better than living on the streets. I continue to watch out the window and take in the beautiful sights of England. We stopped at a signal and we were taking a right. This guy took a sharp right and I went flying over the car and hitting the window with my head on the other side of the back side! (Just to let you know, I was on the right side and I went flying to the left.) I fell on the seats and sat up. 

“Owwwww!” I screamed, “You really couldn’t do it as hard as that?! You should’ve done that softer! No one goes flying during a sharp right like I do!” I said. 

“Hey, my bad, I don’t even have a driver’s license! I know how to drive, but don’t have one so…” The Australian guy said.

“Are you Australian?” I ask.

“Yeah I am actually. I just hate it when people say Australian and British accents were the same.” He said. 

“Exactly! It’s not fair at all!” I replied.

We both states silent until we pulled up to a one story house that actually looks pretty cool. It’s made out of burnt white bricks and a walnut roof. I open the door and get out the car. Ooh! I am cold! He gets out and we walk to the front door and he opened it. Once I enter inside I take a look inside. It smells like… Ocean breeze. On my right, is a walnut table with some walnut chair. There are cardinations in a glass vase in the middle of the table. On my left, Is a burnt orange couch and a small TV on a coffee table. The guy starts walking forward and opens a door when he turns left. 

“Follow me,” he said.

I look into the vast spaces when I see it from the door. It seems so… dark. 

I went down the stairs and the stairs creaked. I ignored it, I keep on going down the stairs and enter an empty room with one chair. Also with one light in the middle shining on he chair. Huh, seems like a basement. 

“Go on, take a seat.” He says.

“Ok… but why am I here? I thought you were going to turn me into the police?” She asked. 

“Oh, I thought you knew you were gonna die. Well, let me explain, the police didn’t care and told me dead or alive. I like killing people as hobby. So… you’re going to die today.” He said. 

Fear crawled on my skin. I knew I told you I wasn’t afraid of death! But if you’re dying a painful death, it isn’t the most pleasant situation. 

The guy quickly went upstairs and got a… gun. Umm…….. I was scared. My whole life flashed in my eyes. He loaded the gun and it was about to shoot me. Oh well, here’s goes nothing! I closed my eyes. Then I heard the door yanked open and saw a boy around my age. He’s has dirty-blonde hair  and has dark green eyes. I bit my lip. I think I have a crush on him. 

“Drop the gun and leave her.” The boy said in his British accent.

“Or what?” The guy said.

He pulled out a gun from his pocket.

“Or you get shot, your choice. Be my guest.” The boy said. 

The guy slowly went to drop his gun on the floor. He put his hands up. I slowly walk towards the young boy. Then, he actually shot the man down.  I was in love. But anyways, the guy gradually slowly fell down to the ground. His head crashed into the hard floor. Blood slowly spilled across the floor. I was in fear. The young boy grabbed me by my wrist and I turned red. He took me up the stairs and said, “We’ve got a lot to work on.” 

I yank my wrist from his hand.

“Who are you?” I asked.

“My name is Henry Boldheart, and you must be?” He asked.

“I’m Emily Walker, nice to meet you.” I said.

We shaked hands. I think I saw love at first sight. 

“Ok, so let me explain something real quick, we’re going to go to my place and that’s where we are going to practice.” He said.

Practice? I didn’t ask, we both exited the house and we entered the car.  

 We went outside into the shivering cold to his dark blue Bugatti. I sat in the front and he was going to drive. He got in the car and started the car. Damn it roars loud. Seemed expensive. He started pulling out the driveway. He opened the window and sped on the road. The air made feel free from that basement. 

“Where are we going?” I asked 

“To my house, you’re going to stay with me for the night.”

I felt butterflies flying around in my stomach. I’ve never been into another’s house before, only my home orphanage. And of course I’ve slept on the streets but this was different. , much different. I guess I was excited and nervous at the same time.

“So you live around here?” I said while looking at the beautiful landscape around us.

“Well sort of..” his voice trailed off.

“Then where to do you live?” I asked.

“I’ll show you soon. So… where do you live?” He asked.

“I lived in an orphanage, I escaped and got kidnapped, that’s when you saved me.” I said. 

“Yeah I had no parents either. My older brother raised me ever since my parents abandoned both of us. He was always there for me, he made me go to school, and cheered me up. He made sure that I had enough necessities so I can live a good life. Even though we were lost puppies on the street, he did anything to feed me, even go work with dangerous people to do illegal stuff just to make me thrive I lost him when I was 8.”

“I’m so sorry,” I saw sorrow in his eyes. He looked away as we pulled into the driveway of a somewhat large house. It was covered in fading red bricks

“Woah… This is your house?” I asked. I’ve never seen a house like this. Like ever.

“Welcome to my house.” he said.

I followed him to his front door. 

“I’ve never seen anything like this before.” I told him. 

The house looked old. It’s made out of grey wood, and with a baby yellow roof, it looked super creepy. It was a tall house, with vines crawling down the window. THe window was completely open, I looked and tried to see what I could see from the window, but I couldn’t. Next to the house was a HUGE TREE. It had a swing on it, and the leaves came falling down like a rope. We walked up to the porch. It had so many plants and flowers, like Tulips, Lilies, Roses, Lavender, Hydrangeas, Forget Me Knots, Dahlias, and Daffodils. All their pretty little colors look so pretty when the sun shines on it during the evening sunset. It was the only colorful thing that lit up. Once I step upon the front door, I look from bottom to top at the giant door. It’s a wooden door that’s like 2 metres! He types on a code with his keypad on the right side of the door and the door opens up. Who wants to break into here? It’s so weird. As soon as I looked inside, I saw the white tile floor and saw a MASSIVE living room on the left. There’s like a HUGE TV and and a coffee table in the middle. There’s a very colorful carpet full of silver, gold, and black swirls overlapping each other. It looked like New Year’s! I was so shocked. Henry started laughing at me. He could tell I was clueless. But this was in fact much larger than the orphanage. I never thought this house was gonna be a mansion outside! It looked like this house was going to smell like smoke inside! 

“So this is where you live?” I asked amusingly. No way he had a Lamborghini and lived in this dump.

“Yup, this is where I live.” He said.

Without a mind of my own, I started walking around the house, looking at the most random things. I walked forward and on my right was a kitchen! The island was marble and was shaped like a sideways boot. The lights hung out of the ceiling looking like half an alien spaceship, except inside with a light bulb. A long metal tube holds the spaceship and is attached to the ceiling. It looks so cool! There are so many knives… Is that a good thing? I don’t know, maybe he’s some master chef? I moved on and saw… bedrooms. I opened the door, and smelt the nice air that smelt like… fresh roses. The bed was huge! There was room for both of us! On one wall, the whole wall was a mirror. I waved at my mirror self and started to do the most random stuff. After I had some fun, I got out of the room and headed on to climb the stairs. They were marble and had gold railing. The staircase went in a spiral and I started to climb. It felt luxurious. Once I found my way up the stairs, I saw a door that was locked. Hmm… why would it be locked? I ignored it and I started going to the theater room. It had a HUGE cinema screen and there was a long, white couch that could literally be 3 of me! I’m 174 centimeters! Just so you know, I exit the room and see him wearing a black shirt with blue jeans tucked in his leather boots. Weird combo… but I just went downstairs and found myself looking into the fridge. To be VERY honest, I am a very big foodie. Ehh for a person who looks like they own a huge house that looks like a millionaire, I’m disappointed.

“Hey, stop snooping around,” He told me in an annoyed voice. 

“Sorry,” I looked down as I spoke.

I walked to the room and thought… well, I’ll just  go and sleep. I went to turn off the lights, and I jumped on the light fluffy bed. My body slowly sank into the bed, and the covers were almost covering me from the sides because of how deep I was in the bed! I yanked the blanket out, and I covered it over my slim body. As soon as I was about to go into my sweet dreams… I saw light come out. Except, not from the door, but the mirror, had light coming out of it. I’m pretty sure that’s not normal… but before I even thought about it. I hit the deck. 

Chapter 15: 

I’m standing, to be honest, I’m LITERALY underwater. I look around and look at the white sand below me and see the sand crawl through my toes and feet, and I slowly turn around and see a trying to sprint by and see it going away quickly. Maybe from something… big? I quickly spin and see such colorful coral that looks like a rainbow. Red, yellow, purple, blue, orange, and so many other colors I can’t describe! I see big,small, medium fish all around me. Such beautiful colors everywhere. Colors of emotions fly through the ocean.  I walk up north underwater and I go closer to the coral that has fishes swarming around them. They all surround me, and touch my arms and legs. I feel as if I’m in a relaxed state, it tickles at the same time though. The tingling sensation brings me happiness. Then the Sun faded and a shadow was cast on top of me. A shark swam right towards me. I thought it was pretty harmless, I mean it seemed really small. It swims right above me and I recognize that it’s a Mako. It circles around me, but I didn’t know what was next. It’s head pointed at my face. It’s mouth opened wildly. I screamed but then I’m an instant it gobbled me up. It’s sharp teeth pierced through my skin. I felt pain dance up my spine. My heart leapt in my throat. Tears came down my face uncontrollably. I heard another tooth dig into my skin, and it seared with pain, flowing through my body. One by one, another tooth came in and gave me a shocking amount of pain. I saw my leg almost disconnected from my body, just a tad bit connected. One more bite and I saw my leg completely chop off. I howled in pain, then I opened my eyes and I stood up quickly. It was all a dream. I realized where I was soon though. I was in my orphanage! Mistress came in and beat me. She beat me so hard I bled everywhere. She cut my face with a small knife. I cried out for help but no one heard me. I yelped in pain. Her wicked laugh echoed in the room. She got the knife and started shaving down my skin on my face. I looked down and I saw my skin on the floor. After she was done, took the knife and stabbed it in my eye.

Chapter 16:

I open my eyes and touch my nose, ears and eyes, frantically. Whew! I get out the bed and realized it was all a dream. I look at myself in the huge wall mirror. My skin glowed and was pale. I was wearing purple shorts that reached up to my knees and I looked at my black, short-sleeved shirt. My hair in a messy bun, that’s brunette with clear glasses, I mean I never had glasses, but I found them and they’re perfect. I looked at my huge brown eyes. I exit the room and I lean from the door frame that Henry was making bacon, with eggs. I walk on the cold tile and  sit down on the boot-shaped island. I take a seat on the black leather seat, that spin and wait for my breakfast. I hear the sizzling from the pan and onto a plate. I can smell the delightful food, it looks so delicious. He slides it over the table and it gets right in front of me. As well as a fork and knife. I pick up my fork and stab it in the food he prepared. I lifted the silver and clean utensil up to my mouth. I chewed the delicious food and set the fork down only to do it all again. After a few seconds, I literally finished the plate clean and I put the dish in the silver sink. Things got kinda awkward. I got some dish soap and squeezed it on my dish, and scrubbed it. I hummed a small song in my head, and I wondered what we would do today. Henry got his keys and opened the front door and left. The door echoed when he slammed it shut. Henry left me all alone.  I’m at his house for the first time. I standed doing nothing for around 30 minutes. I was bored, so I went to the living room and turned on the TV. I watch some Young Adult shows and this web series. It almost made me faint. I thought I was being a couch potato, so I went to explore upstairs. As I missed one room. I went all the way down the corridor, and I opened the door. And saw a room, with gray walls, and a mirror wall. There was a punching bag, and there were gloves next to it. I looked around to see if anyone was watching me. Then I slowly put on the gloves and punched the bag weakly. I got angry and punched it harder. Then I got so mad for some reason I punched it to hit the wall! I breathed hard and closed my eyes  . Wait. I realize that my gloves are loose. I pull the straps, HARD on each glove, and I yank the strap. I put the Velcro back and I tried again. I gave my weakest punch, took a couple of deep breaths. In, Out, In, Out. I gave a slightly powerful punch. Each punch came with even more power. I gave a punch that almost made the strong chain making the punching bag hang to the ceiling… hit the wall! I gave the hardest punch and the punching bag flew off to the wall and blasted and bounced back the opposite wall. Uh-oh. How would I explain this to Henry? I start walking around thinking what do. A few seconds later, a punching bag popped out of the ceiling. It looks EXACTLY like the one that broke. I panicked and looked around again. I bit my finger nails and heard something. I turned around and heard footsteps. Henry then opened the door and I gasped. He looked around the room moving only his eyes.

“What happened here?” He said, showing no emotion.

I looked at the red punching bag, and my eyes kept on going back and forth between the bag and him.

“You broke it didn’t you? Don’t worry, I think like you saw, if you broke it, a new one comes along.” He said.

“What was your record?” I asked.

“Record?” He asked, he’s kinda slow. 

“Oh, my bad, anyway, my highest was 82, not in a row, but in total, think you can beat that?” He said.

I thought, could I beat him? I probably needed a few days of practice, I mean, I could give it a try.

”Ok, give me a week, I bet I could.” I said confidently.

”But, you have to leave EVERY single day, I can’t practice with you in the room, I do worse with you here. You look so creepingly and you’re just completely weird.” I said.

He looked insulted, he left the room slamming the door that rattled the wall. I guess I should stop insulting people that much.

I found my stance and stuck my ground. Let’s see if I can do better.

Chapter 17: 

I draw my hand back and swing it in the air and hit the punching bag. Pain crawls through my skin from my knuckles to my arm. I stopped. I need a break, I already had 30 hits in one day. As I exited the room, I switched off the lights and headed out. 

I went downstairs as quickly as I could, without somehow not stumbling on the stairs. I see Henry making dinner. I was STARVING. I mean, I skipped lunch and was throwing some punches. I smelt the sizzling food and I licked my lips. I couldn’t help it, I watched as Henry moved his muscular arms around the kitchen. I then eyed him and he exchanged me a subtle smile. Then I looked down at my hands. And asked myself. What am I doing? He saved me from death and now I’m in his house casually standing in the kitchen. I went to the table and set it for the 2 of us. At that moment Henry finished and I helped him carry the food to the table. He made a delicious meal with several different sides.

“What’s the occasion?” I ask politely, wanting to make a good impression at meals.

“Oh it’s nothing, do you not like it?”

”No, it’s good,” I said. I haven’t even taken a bite. He looked at me like I was lying. Nervous, I picked my fork up, stabbed into the food and shoved a bit into my mouth. It tasted… salty but limey. It had an amazing taste, and I didn’t even realize that I finished it in 10 minutes. I put the dish in the sink and got a scrub. I squeezed some soap onto it, picked up the fragile glass plate, with a butterfly on it and started scrubbing it all around. I turned on the faucet and I rinsed it all around. I put the dish on the grey rack beside and I start walking to my bedroom. I mean, I was tired. I jumped onto my bed. I was restless. I wonder what’s tomorrow’s plan?

Chapter 18:

I woke up and looked at myself in the mirror. Ugly as always. As I opened the door, I expected something to sizzle or at least some sound. Except, it was quiet, like a fox trying to get its prey. My face dropped. He already left. There wasn’t a single sound. Out of disbelief, I went upstairs to practice. Let’s see who is gonna beat his goal. I put on his punching gloves and cracked my knuckles. I stood in front of the boxing bag and I closed my eyes. I took 2 deep breathes and I was ready. I fluttered my eyes open. Ok, I REALLY need practice. I started with a few light punches, and my punches got harder and harder. Every punch makes me feel even powerful, and I already have like 32 punches. I work for the next hour, except on kicks, and I’m actually kind of good. I start to sweat and build up an appetite. I use food in his kitchen to make something and once I was done, I sat down and finished the meal. I cleaned up after myself and went to look around. I found some books so I started reading, I didn’t realize how much time passed by…I was sitting on the couch when I heard the door open. It was already 7:00pm. The door creaks open, and I see Henry drenched. Did it rain? I have absolutely no idea, I haven’t looked out the window at all today. He looks at me, goes to his room, and slams the door behind me. I stared at the door, thinking what the hell I did wrong. My face drooped, I felt bad, what did I do? I go back into my room and call it a day. What’s gonna happen?

Chapter 19:

Weeks passed by, with the same door slamming, the same routine of exercise and reading. I finally mustered up to ask him. I slowly walked up the stairs and grabbed the door handle. I felt a bit of fear rush up my spine as I turned the knob. I closed my eyes, took two deep breaths and then open the door. I looked around but only saw him on a chair. I approach quietly and start with saying, “hey”

“Hey, I just wanted to ask you… why are you so mad?” I said quietly.

Well I THOUGHT I said it quietly, instead I said it angrily. He looked at me, confused why I said it in such an annoyed voice. 

“Sorry,” I said.

“No it’s fine, it’s just… I’m like the most INTROVERTED guy you’ll ever see, so I’m not much of a talker and I have a habit of slamming doors.” He answered.

”Oh,” I said, “No, it’s fine, just wanted to ask.” I said in an awkward voice. I looked him in the eyes and felt nervous, it caused a smile on my face. I felt happy around his presence. Feeling awkward, I left the room, feeling a tingling sensation. I shaked it off, and let it go. I go up the stairs and I enter the boxing room. Cool and chill, it’s perfect for me. I  put on his boxing gloves and cracked my knuckles. I took 2 deep breaths and started punching. I did 30 punches until I suddenly had a thirst for water. I quickly picked up a water bottle and chugged it down. I was that tired, but I took my gloves, and stretched them. It felt so long that I felt my hands. I go downstairs and take a cold shower. 

Chapter 20:

The water turns on, coming from the head. I step in, with the sweating coming off, and getting ready to get out. I quickly scurry to the kitchen. I opened the pantry and my eyes scanned for a cake box mix.  I didn’t see any, I would have to make my own batter.

I yank open the fridge door, and I get out a carton of eggs and close it back. I placed it next to my mixing bowl, and I opened it. I carefully removed 2 eggs from the carton. I held the cold eggs in my hand, as I was literally about to drop them, I quickly knocked them on the table a few times, until it cracked. I slowly opened the egg, and I dropped the yolk in the bowl. The same happened to the first to the second. I closed the carton Click and I opened the refrigerator door that brings me into a whole new world of food. I place the carton back and I return to my work station. I grab a spoon from the cupboard and started mixing. The satisfying sound of the cake batter forming makes me smile unconsciously. When i came to the reality that I was smiling unconsciously and stirring, I shaked my head and went down to the cabinet to get some parchment paper and a pan. I put them both on the countertop. I open up the parchment paper packaging and Kirk

I ripped off some parchment paper, placed it and spreader it evenly across the grey pan. I pour the cake batter in the pan. I lift up it up and gently put it inside the oven. I raise the heat to cook the cake and turnaround to take a break from my work. I pull my gloves off and sigh, smiling. I flop onto the couch (of course not a couch in the kitchen, I had to walk to the living room) and laid down thinking about whether I was complicating my life decisions or not. I sit in silence staring at the tv on some random horror story. It was about a thief who falls in love with their partner but then betrays them. It made me think for a while. Kinda seems like me. Then the kissing scene went on. He grabbed the girl’s thighs and picked her up. Their lips pressed on one another’s, the girl kind of looked like me. The same silky hair and clear pale skin. I then turn off the tv and picture Henry. In my mind I see him getting close to me, he looks handsome. Wait- what am I saying?! I shook my head and looked at the screen. It said, 2 options, if you don’t want this to happen, then sleep at 8, if you do, stay up all night watching TV. I quickly searched for the TV remote, snatched it and pressed no in one button. Whew! Thank god.

 The oven dinged and I got up and opened the oven door with an oven mitten. The smell was AmAzIng. The smell of sweet pastries or treats came back to me when we helped in the orphanage. The smell of vanilla cake lifts up into my nose, pleasing me, which is the smell of vanilla extract. I flip over the pan and hit the bottom of the pan. Hoping with all my heart, I lift up my pan and see a perfect cake, (if I do say so myself) and I place the pan in the sink. I go back to the cabinet, get out a bowl and a few ingredients from the fridge. Some whipping cream and a few other ingredients. I close the fridge, Handful of ingredients and carefully place them down. By the time the clock said 5:40, my cake cooled down and I was about to spread the icing. I spalt some icing on the cake, and I smoothen it out with a cake scraper that took a while. I was done by 6:35, and by that time the cake was in the fridge, ready for it’s time to shine tomorrow. 

Chapter 21:

I woke up, well I thought I did. I got up out of my bed, (that’s white as snow) and I stretched and looked at myself in the mirror as always. Dreadful. I slowly walk out of the room, and I get the cake out of the fridge. Unstable, the cake was about to slide off to the floor. I tilted it up, and walked slowly and quietly, like a cat to his room. The door creaked a little while I opened the door. I softly shut the door, trying to not make any noise, and approach the bed. I get on my knees and place the cake on his tiny table next to his bed. I reached into my pockets and felt  two little boxes. I took them out. I opened one and took 2 candles out of it, a spiral blue and red candle. I closed the small box and shoved it into my pocket. I slid open the other box and got out one match stick. I put the candles in the cake, and I scrape the match pretty fast on the side of the box. 

Pop!

The little match lit on fire. I quickly spread the fire on the wicks of the candles and the candles lit up. I blew off the match and kept it next to the cake. I tap Henry lightly and I try to wake him up. I tried once again, that didn’t work. I prayed that the adage “Third times a charm!” Rings true. I try one more time, and his eyes flutter open. I pick up the cake and bring it near his face. 

“Happy birthday,” I say in a soft voice. 

His lips form into a small smile. Butterflies flutter in my stomach, but then his small smile turns into a smirk. He picks up the cake, and shoves it into my face. I open my eyes and get up fast. Oh, that was just a dream, let’s just hope that doesn’t happen. Then I closed my eyes again and sighed. I muttered under my breath I don’t want to get up… I let my feet contact the floor and stand up. I stretch and walk out of the room, and slam the door shut right behind me. I open the fridge door and I get out the perfectly frosted cake, let’s just hope this isn’t ANY related to the dream. I then think how I wanna look good, so I placed the cake down and enter my room. I on my bed and think about him. His posture is perfect and he has great physique. Wait, what am I saying? I immediately get butterflies. I shove the thought away and get up. I brush my hair and put on one of his Batman shirts. I knew he loved Batman so I grabbed a random one of his. It was in my closet, so I just thought I would wear it. Looking better than I did before, I exited the bathroom, exited my room and picked up the cake from the kitchen. Making sure it wouldn’t drop, I tried to not wobble. I carefully opened the door. The door made a quiet creak sound but it didn’t seem to bother him. I did the exact same thing in the dream. I get on my knees and place the cake on his tiny table next to his bed. I reached into my pockets and felt  two little boxes. I took them out. I opened one and took 2 candles out of it, a spiral blue and red candle. I closed the small box and shoved it into my pocket. I slid open the other box and got out one match stick. I put the candles in the cake, and I scrape the match pretty fast on the side of the box. 

Pop!

The little match lit on fire. I quickly spread the fire on the wicks of the candles and the candles lit up. I blew off the match and kept it next to the cake. I tap Henry lightly and I try to wake him up. I tried once again, that didn’t work. I try one more time, and his eyes flutter open. I pick up the cake and bring it near his face. 

“Happy birthday,” I say in a soft voice. 

He groans, confused, but when he focused his vision

His lips form into a small smile. Butterflies flutter in my stomach, and I form a small smile. I quickly ran to the kitchen to get a knife. I brought a shiny butter knife to cut the cake. I ran back into the room and cut a small piece of the cake. I placed the bit of cake on his mouth, and I smudged some frosting from the cake and booped his nose with it. He smiled, then he stretched and got up. He got ready while I was waiting for him in the living room. He came out wearing a sky blue shirt,   It looked so good on him. He came out with navy blue jeans and some fancy black shoes. His blue eyes complete the set. He told me to follow him out the front door and he told me to get into the car. So I did, I was driving. I waited until he agreed that we won’t drive and he’ll let me drive. I opened the car door and slid inside the car. I started the car and pushed the pedal with my foot. The car reversed onto the road, out of the driveway. I turn over and look at Henry. His face is frightened, by the time I’m actually driving his face will be blown and traumatized. I comforted myself in the radish red leather seats. I pressed hard on the pedal. Vrooming through the wind on the open road, I enjoy the ride. I look over to my right and see Henry’s scared face. His eyes are wide opened and his eyes and his mouth is jaw-dropping, while looking into space. Worried, I slow down and see if I come back to reality.  I drove up to an ice cream shop that was packed. I opened the car door and was about to walk forward. Then, I was blind.

Chapter 22:

My eyes fluttered open, adjusting my sight, I looked around. I’m at the beach. The gravelly sand runs through my toes. The sunset lowers and the clouds turn into a pinkish-orange sky. Blue swirls into the sky. The orange sun lowers and lowers. And the waves come up until my feet. I sit down on the sand. Wearing knee-length shorts. The water comes to me and soothes me. He sits down. We both watch the sunset together, until the waves glow.

The night sets into place, with the moon appearing out of the sky, and the small tides glow. A smile appeared on my face. The moonlight shone down on me and the tides glowed even more. Bioluminescent animals. I stand up excitedly and I step into the glowing water. Then I laid on my back. The water covers my head with chlorine, with my face still on the surface. I shook my legs and arms and played around in the glowy water.

 “I did this for you, I figured out the days where the waves would glow and surprisingly, it was right on my birthday.” He said, watching me float.

”Come on in, join.” I said.

He turned backwards and fell into the water. He gasped for air and I laughed. He rose up and chuckled. We both floated together until it was midnight.

Chapter 23:

I woke up in the car, I sniffed myself, I smelled chlorine. I was in the back seat. Henry was driving and it was daytime. Where were we going? I thought thinking to myself. I tried to speak but a cloth was over my mouth, I sat up in the backseat of a car with my hands and legs tied together. The car sped up and I looked outside the window. My vision was blurry, but I could see this car was pulling up into The Orphanage Of Northshore Town. Huh? What was this place? He looked back and saw me awake. He smiled. He opened my door untied me and we both went into the orphanage. It felt similar, the crème walls, with splotches of paint. Then I saw people, it was winter, and the place was decorated. It’s been almost a year. Then I saw them. My friends? They all saw me and started running towards me, with love and comfort. How did he know? Tears ran down my cheeks, it’s been so long. But then that means…. She’s here. Mistress Emilija shows up. No… I need to tell him, I reach next to me, trying to tug onto a sleeve, but he leaves. I put my hands in my pockets and I feel something.

As a gift in return

For celebrating with me

I found your orphanage

I called 

Mistress Emilija

She said, I could get you after a few days

So until then, I’ll see.

Have fun!

-Henry

Fear crawls on my skin. I guess he didn’t know. But I MUST leave today. But first, I’m going to ‘sleep’. Sunya tugged on me. I could see the sadness in her eyes. I whispered something to her, and told her to tell them… that I need to go. Throughout the day, I tried to avoid her, any meals she fed and that night I escaped. I opened the window sill, when everyone was sleeping and I quietly hopped over the sill. Looking around the grassy area, I ran, and didn’t know where. I was crossing a road, until a car came closer. I tried protecting myself. Then, my eyes jolted awake. I wake up looking around in a room. Confused, I see a mirror wall on my left and a window on my right. I looked in the front and saw a small desk. I looked at the sheets. Oh, I’m back at my room, sleeping. I smell my forearm and I smelt like chlorine. 

“What the-“

I paused. I was so tired, My eyes dragged me down. I buried my head in my pillow and felt like my insides were burning. I was so cold all of a sudden that I was coming up with something. I scrape the bottom of my feet onto the floor. I try to use my energy to… stand up. I falter, I don’t have any balance, I can’t walk. MY leg fails me, my head hits the floor. The floor was at eye level. My head gets lightheaded. The next thing I see is darkness. 

My eyes jolt open. I slightly move my head to look around me, and I’m back in my bed. I look up and make a strong eye contact with Henry, his dark green eyes…

To be continued!

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