Spellcaster series #5: The Sage

Just the Five of Us

HEIDI

"I'm removing your blindfold now," Tristan spoke into my ear. "Are you ready?"

I nodded and he pulled it from my head. In front of me was a wooden door, painted in white and lacquered. I eyed him questioningly.

"Are we on the porch of the Lucky Orphans?"

"Read the sign over there, Heidi." He pointed to a signage at the side of the building.

"The McLaren Orphanage, Home of the Brave?" I admitted, I was choking up.

"The name was Vicky's idea," he said. "Now let's go inside."

As soon as we did, a large group of people yelled Surprise! wearing huge grins and the most cheerful faces I had ever seen. The orphans were all there, tugging my hands and towing me further in. I glanced at Tristan who was beaming from ear to ear, shutting the door behind him. Dr. Pierce handed me a bouquet of marguerite daisies while Wynona hugged me. Jessie, with Lady Bernadette, applauded with glee as the orphans circled around me to ask how I was.

"Come on, now," Dr. Pierce gestured the orphans, "let's show Heidi the orphanage together!"

"Let's show her the playroom!" One of them exclaimed gleefully.

"Dr. Pierce said not until the end of the tour!" Another opposed.

They walked with me up the steps to the second level. Both girls had their little grips in my hands, tugging me and yelling out all the new things they set their eyes on.

Everything around us was almost unrecognisable with its repainted interior. While it kept its Victorian style, the pastel colours revived the worn-down place with a vibrant atmosphere. The torn wallpaper and splintery hardwood floors were replaced with fresh paint and vinyl. Dr. Pierce opened one of the bedroom doors and in it, the girls were given new bunk beds and wardrobes. He explained how he and Wynona revamped the bedrooms and the entire second floor while Jessie and Lady Bernadette renovated the playroom and the entire first storey.

"What about the attic on the third floor?" I asked.

Dr. Pierce turned to me like a proud father. "Converted into more bedrooms. I'd show you but the girls are too antsy to bring you to the playroom."

"What is this playroom?" I laughed, unable to contain my amusement towards the girls' impatience.

They pulled my arms and led me to a familiar door. Despite its change in appearance, I still felt the slight chills when I laid my eyes on the door of Mrs. Tabitha's old room.

"Go on, Heidi," Jessie nodded towards it like he knew why I stopped in my tracks.

He opened the door and swung it inwards, entering the room first. Inside, noises of toddlers and babies with two volunteers of the orphanage filled the room, their excited voices bouncing off the sky-blue walls. The two girls by my side towed me in and giggled giddily as they threw their hands in the air.

"Look, Ms. Heidi! This is the playroom!"

The old furniture was gone and replaced with a carpeted grey floor and toys for the younger orphans. There was a whiteboard on the wall and a table of crafts. I turned to Dr. Pierce who waited eagerly for my reaction.

"A playroom?"

"We thought," he explained, "to turn this room into a place of life and laughter. What better way than to have the young ones fill this old room with them?"

I felt warm tears forming in my eyes. I blinked them away.

"Now this room is no longer haunted," the Senator added with a wink.