HIDDEN

Prologue

I cannot remember my life prior to age six, only bits that don't quiet fit together. I had only one item from childhood, my angel doll her hair long, blonde, wings sparkling white, blue eyes and a beautiful little pink dress with one tiny red rose placed perfectly in her hair, that doll was my everything...I remember soft lullabies, sung by the one I had once called mother... she no longer deserved that title. I remember my eighth birthday vividly as the worst day of my life, it was celebrated at a new orphanage therefor no one but the adults came, and Dex our orphanage mascot dog, I left my doll on the counter, I swear I was only gone for a second, when I came back my angel was in pieces, Dex had jumped up and torn it... I don't remember specifics but, Dex mysteriously died the day after my party and once again I was moved to a new orphanage. When I lived on the street I was so young, and alone. Although orphanages had taken me in. I always drew back from them. I knew I was different, and to me they were aliens. I stayed far away from the children too. they would laugh and play together, I would press myself tightly against the wall. Sometimes the children would notice me and they would jab their fingers at me. my heart would race faster, they'd taunt and laugh at me, scream and kick me and all I would do is sit there face hidden behind my hands. I went from orphanage to orphanage and every one sent me away. Since it had become a routine, I have never had a name, because I was never in a place long enough for them to ask, I then named myself. It was a simple name, a name from a hero in my book, and that name was Patricia Ryder. The day I turned 10, was no different from any other. I stood in the corner, eyes closed, listening to the sound of children.
"Patricia Ryder please come with me," said a female voice.
I glanced over my shoulder, to see a tall thin woman standing in the door frame flipping though papers. Slowly I followed her through the open door. We stopped in front of Miss.Alice's office, and the tall woman turned on her heel and walked down the hall mumbling to herself. The door slightly ajar, I heard voices one Miss.Alice's and one other.
"Are you sure about this? the child doesn't speak let alone have a conversation! with a personality like yours I believe a more talkative child would be more suitable. you saw how she just stands in the corner all day!" Miss Alice almost yelled.
My heart pounded. Adoption had never came to mind, all that I hoped to gain from a place like this was food and a warm bed.
"Yes Miss Alice. We are sure," a rough male voice whispered.
I heard a sigh, and the squeaking of a chair. knocking lightly I backed up. The door swung open.
"Please come in Patricia," Miss.Alice cooed.
reluctantly I slid into the empty chair beside Miss Alice's desk. A man and woman sat interlocking their fingers At the other side of the room, they smiled, squeezing each others hands, I looked down. the door closed loudly.
"Do you know why your here?" Asked Miss Alice.
I didn't answer.
"You're here because this couple wants to adopt you, isn't that exciting?!?"
I blinked and continued to stare at my feet. someone shifted uncomfortably.
"I'm Jonathan and this is my wife Sophie."
"Hi Patricia," Sophie said sweetly.
I fiddled my hands on my lap.
"Go pack your things," Miss Alice sighed.
I stood up quickly, and walked to the door. This was going to be interesting.