The Man That Changed Everything

The Arrival

I stepped onto the cold, stone porch of a ginormous house, carrying two suitcases, to escape the heavy rain and read the house number. It was number 76, just the house I had been looking for. It shocked me a little that the house was so big. I looked down at my little sister, who was holding my hand tightly. Giving her a warm smile, I could tell she knew that this was the house. This was the plain, boring building that we had spent days travelling on buses and trains to get to. This was the house that we had been sent to, alone after our mothers death. I couldn't believe that two young girls, only 9 and 13 years old, could be sent to such a run-down house like this one. Cracks in the grey, moss covered bricks were oozing a rust colored liquid that dripped down onto the once possibly beautiful windows. The front door was covered in scratches and markings. I could have kept staring forever, but I saw my sister, Grace, chewing the ends of her golden plaits. She only did this when she was nervous, so I gave her a quick hug and decided to just get it over with and knock on the door so that we could go inside. After a few quick raps on the door, I suddenly felt very uneasy and weak. I felt my confidence drain out of me like the deafening rain outside the sheltered porch, but there was no shelter or protection from my worries. What if the person we had been sent to stay with was mean or didn't like us? What if we were beaten or starved like some unfortunate orphans? I tried to block out these thoughts, I had to be the grown up from now on, I had to take care of Grace. Just at that very moment, the door handle twisted and the door opened a crack. All I could see was shadow, and at first it confused me. Should we go in? I suddenly jumped at the sound of a voice. "Who are you children? Why are you at my house? Not causing trouble are you?" These words were said menacingly in a deep voice and Grace squeezed my hand tighter than ever. After a few seconds silence I realised I had to speak. "Of course not, sir. We are looking for Mr. Watkins at house number 76. Does Mr. Watkins live here?" My voice was shaky and timid, but I was pretty sure he heard over the downpour.
"Yes, Mr.Watkins lives here." The man said. "But who are you? I shall not allow any young rascal who wants to cause trouble inside this house!"
"I'm Harley and this is my little sister Grace. We've came to live with Mr. Watkins because of our mothers..." I struggled to say the last part to a stranger. "...death." was all I could manage to say for now.
The man opened his mouth to speak, as if checking what he was about to say. "Oh yes, I know who you are now little ones. You are the orphans, yes? With the last name Ryland if I am not mitaken." I nodded, I was still frightened and weary of this unknown man. "Come inside now," He instructed "I do not want you to get chilly now do I." We had no choice but to follow, so I grasped Grace's hand, still carrying the suitcases, and entered the ramshackled house. The first thing I notice was the soft, Crimson-colored carpet under our feet. I looked around and saw a great, sweeping, oak, staircase spiralling up and up, past the chandelier that hung delicately on the ceiling. It surprised me that It could look so different from the outside. Especially when I noticed diamonds and rubies embedded in the banister. Turning to look at Grace, I hoped she was feeling alright. I couldn't stop a little giggle when I saw Grace gazing at the chandelier, eyes and mouth wide open! I stopped looking at her when I heard someone clear their throat. "Ahem, what do you think of the entrance to my house?" It was the man again, in his booming voice. "Are you Mr. Watkins?" I asked in what I hoped was a polite voice. "Indeed I am," he replied "but you still have not answered my question young lady." Thunder rumbled as he said this, making everything feel slightly ominous. Before I had a chance to speak, Grace did something that made me gasp with surprise. "Hello Mr. Watkins, I love it here already! It's so pretty! There's so many lovely sparkly things! It's much nicer than anything I have ever had! Thank you so much for letting us stay with you, it's going to be amazing, I just know it!" I was dumbfounded. Grace never spoke to strangers, even when mum was standing next her. This was such a big thing for Grace, she is so shy that she doesn't even speak to mum's friends like that! My train of thought halted when Mr.Watkins started to talk again. "Well, well, well. You are very energetic aren't you Grace! I thought you were never going to talk!" This was strange, his tone had changed completely since the last time he spoke, no longer dark and mysterious, more friendly and welcoming than before. I questioned it's authenticity, this man was very strange, could he be trying to make us trust him for some strange reason, or could he be a genuinly nice guy? I wasn't sure but I decided that if we had been sent here, the orphanage would have checked to make sure that he was nice surely.
Sounding sweeter than ever, Mr. Watkins began to speak again. "Would you like me to show you to your room? I will take your bags for you."