Dark Angel

Chapter 3. Papa G

November 2,2002, 11:30A.M.

We had been at the orphanage for about a year. Amber had been adopted by a nice couple. She said no to them at first, she didn't want to leave us. But we told her she needed to. She made us promise that no matter what we would say no to anyone who wanted to adopt us unless they would take all of us. We all agreed.

"Children! There's a nice man coming who wants to adopt! All of you! Go go! Get ready! Clean up! Ella wipe that mud off your face. Gabby get your sister. Nick go put on some clean clothes. Thomas you behave. Walt go make sure the H's heard me." That's what Ms. Carson called us. I mean it makes sense. Hailey, Hunter, Hazel, Henry Harper, it's what we are.

Oh yeah, Ella, Walt, and Gabby were my best friends. They were awesome. Though, Ella was my favorite. Don't tell.

"We heard!" I shouted from the girls room. Hunter came in there to sleep with me sometimes, he was (and still is) a softy, even if he won't admit it. Ever.

We all got ready quickly and went out to the main room. It was a wood-framed room with vaulted ceilings and a big picture of all of us. She took one every year.

"Children, this is Mr. Gia-"

"Everyone calls me Papa G" An average hight, good built man with white hair in jeans and a t-shirt said with a smile. He looked familiar. I couldn't pinpoint it though.

Ms. Carson smiled back. "This is Papa G. He is a very nice man and I expect you to all behave, Thomas I'm looking at you." We all chuckled. "And get to know him. Who knows. Maybe he'll take you home with him." It was rare for someone to come in on their first time ready to adopt. But we weren't surprised. Ms. Carson left but we knew she was listening.

No one said anything. I guess I'd have to.

Like always.

"Hi there!" I put my hand out for him to shake. "My name is Hailey. I can introduce you to everyone if you'd like."

"I'd like that Hailey." He shook my hand and we went down the line. There were some kids I didn't like but I always said nice things about them. When we got to my siblings I paused.

You've done this before. Just do it again. I thought.

"These are my siblings. Hunter, Hazel and Henry Harper. But you can't adopt just one or two, or even THREE of us. You have to take all of us." I said it every time. Why did it feel different?

He just stood there and thought for a moment. "Alright then." He turned to face the rest of the kids. "I'm going to talk to Ms. Carson and tell her who I want to adopt." He turned on his heal and around the corner, into Ms. Carson's office.

It felt different. Like I had lost something. Like we had a connection before we even talked.

They were in there a while. 10 minutes felt like 10 hours. Had I screwed it up? Would he pick someone else? Ella? Walt? Gabby? Would I never see them again?

The door opened and they both stepped out.

"Mr- Papa G, has decided to chose quite a few of you children." She said with a huge smile. "Here they are." She pulled out a list.

"Ella."

My stomach dropped... No... please no.

"Gabby."

This can't be happening.

She paused. Why did she pause?

"And..."

JUST SPIT IT OUT WOMAN!

"All four of the H's." She had tears in her eyes. She knew this was amazing for us. We turned away so many nice, good people to stay together. We finally got someone that wanted us. All of us.