Monochromatic Dreams

Chapter One

It was colder than usual today. I woke up with the urge to put on socks even though I hated the itchy and rough feeling of brand new pairs.

I quietly crept past everyone sleeping on the floor, trying not to step on any toes or fingers. Judith stirred and mumbled something. She had shifted from the position she went to bed in and now was almost upside down.

I made my way out of our bedroom into the hall. Soft snoring noises could be heard from Aunt Phoebe's room; I was the only one awake. 

The living room looked duller than ever with no lights switched on and the usual noises of shouting and laughter that all of the children made. A small ray of light crept in the room from between the curtains illuminating a tiny area of the cold wooden floor. I noticed something as opened the curtains. It was snowing. A thin layer of snow had collected on our front yard.

I shivered.

I had never been a fan of cold weather. I could bear with extremely hot climate but Winter just wasn't my thing. I heard soft footsteps behind me.

"Alex?"

Judith's voice came out thick and scratchy- she had just woken up.

"Yeah?"

"Did it snow?"

"Yeah, do you want to see?" I asked turning around to face her. Her faded nightgown was wrinkled from tossing and turning all night. She noticed me looking at her dress and began to straighten the folds.

She nodded. I picked her up and placed her on the ledge of the window.

"Get me down! It's so cold!"she screeched nearly kicking me. I picked her up before she caused any further damage and faced the window.

She put her hands against the glass admiring the scene outside.

"Okay. Put me down now."

Judith was only six years old but she was quite mature. She didn't get easily excited about things like normal children of her age would do. I found it strange. Well, all of us were strange. Aunt Phoebe liked adopting strange children.

I heard footsteps for the second time that morning.

"Alex? Up already? This doesn't seem like you at all." Aunt Phoebe said, her tone laced with amusement.

I hummed in response.

"Ooh, it's snowing, is it?"

Aunt Phoebe picked up Judith and looked out the window.

"Why don't we all go for a walk today, hmm? It doesn't seem too cold. We can build snowmen and you kids could go play whatever you want. How about it, Alex?"

I only realized Aunt Phoebe was talking to me when she said my name. I glanced at her sideways.

"Maybe..."

She sighed.

"I really do try, Alex."

"I know."

"And it's about time you do, too."

"I do... I'll try harder." I muttered weakly.

It would have been more time consuming if I had started an argument.

I did not hate Aunt Phoebe. I am grateful for her getting me out of the wretched orphanage. But she wasn't my mother. I just couldn't treat her like one.

Nick and Chris were the next ones to wake up.

"Good morning, ladies!" chirped Chris.

Nick just plopped down on the sofa without saying a word. Generally, at first sight, it was quite difficult to believe both of them were related by blood. I still couldn't believe it.