The world forgets about the kids who are sent here. Sent to live here, sent to die here. Children arrive from all over the world where natural disasters have happened. All those who are under 7 years old come to stay at the International Institution for Troubled Children. It was supposed to be a safe place for kids to go when they've come from tragic events, but the orphanage itself is one. The reason only kids under 7 can enter is because they will believe anything they're told. Kids older than 7 are sent into foster care and adoption programs because the leaders of IITC think they aren't as easily influenced so it would damage the economy of the operation.
When the people of the world overlook the children here, that's the cue for the IITC to erase their files and all trace of their existence. That way society doesn't notice when people die in the mines.
Here, you have to mine the Golmotite ore for the rest of your short miserable life. Girls mine in District 2 and boys mine in District 3. District 1 is where you stay if you show lots of responsibility when you are young. You stay the rest of your less pathetic life to watch over the new kids who arrive.
At around the age of 10, the higher ups will send you to your district, or tell you to remain in District 1. That is what happened to my best friend Riley. He was the only other kid the same age as me who got to stay in District 1, which is like the beginning stage of staying at the orphanage. Most of the kids call it 'The Origin' because it is where everyone here starts out.
The weird thing is, I wasn't actually chosen to live in District 1. I'm 14 now, which is extra strange. I still have no idea why I am not in the mines with the other girls my age. Riley said he's going to try and help me figure this out. He doesn't want me to be sent away either, but if I haven't gone to District 2 by now, we're pretty sure I never will.
I think I am safe here, which is good because in the mines, I'd be lucky to live to 20. Golmotite is extremely toxic to breathe in. After a few years of inhaling it all day everyday, your body will slowly shut down, causing many deaths in the orphanage.
The orphanage is so big, they try to hide the fact that the new kids will live short lives by not letting them see the effects until they've been moved to their districts.
I know. I have seen the proof. My heart breaks just a little bit more every time I see a new body being wheeled in. My room is in the back of the main building. By the door they bring kids in from. This happens very often and I can't stand it. I'm going to get out of here.
Someday.
YOU ARE READING
The Origin
General FictionAutumn and Riley are almost 18 years old. They are waiting for their chance to escape the prison they've lived in for so many years. They have to run away to save the other children from the orphanage before it's too late. Will they be able to pull...
