Hush

Jack: Torment

Jack stared out of the window of the car as his idea of prison came closer into view, he had already tried the handle of the door when they had stopped at the first traffic light, ready to flee the instant the back door clicked open, only to find Betty had thought ahead and made sure the child safety lock was in place. So this was it, he looked up at the large aged sign that announced their return to the orphanage, it was as welcoming as a cold shower on a winter's day. A chill crept through Jack and he gripped Hush tighter.

'When we get in there will be no fighting, understand?' Betty put on her bossy voice and eyed Jack meaningfully through the rear view mirror, 'Elliot had to get his thumb broken back into place during your hospital stay.' All the tenderness and care from the woman had apparently been left at the hospital curb alongside Jack's will to live.

Jack caught her criticizing gaze, said nothing and looked away out of the window, a few trees swayed as they were lashed by rain.

'Jack?' Betty persisted, reminding him of his mother when she was mad at him.

'Sure,' Jack grunted, 'I guess I will just take another beating then.' He glared out of the window as the car pulled into the grounds of the orphanage, the sound of the wheels rolling through grit and puddles slowing as the rain continued to fall heavy from the dark grey sky. A large stone wall sealed them off from the outside world, the only way in or out was through the black creaky iron gates that they had just passed, where atop either side on crumbling pillars were two praying statues, one male and one female. The orphanage itself was an old building clearly once decadent in its design with multiple archways and conical roofing, as though it had been made to be a church and robbed early on of its faith, left to harbour the city's unwanted brats instead. Its outer walls were now weathered grey and marred in black and green grime from age, and the aged windows let in a draught that no fire could banish, what had once been a beautiful structure had been neglected and left to deteriorate in the presence of unwanted youth and their struggling keepers.

'I mean it, Jack, there is a time and place for fights and here is not either of them. When we get in Mr Williams and myself will arrange a meeting to go over the house rules with you once more.'

Jack shrugged, the feeling of being a trapped overwhelmed him as he felt all the blame of what had happened fall entirely on him. The car stopped and moments later Betty climbed out. The child safety locks on the car ensured his freedom revoked as once more he pulled at the handle. He had been so hungry for escape on his way back to this place that if he had been able to, he would have went as far as using local pedestrians and the city traffic as obstacles between himself and his captors, not caring who got hurt in the process, as long as he didn't end up where he now was.

'Come on.' Betty said, opening his door.

Jack climbed out holding Hush by the ear, he pushed past Betty without a word of thanks, and dragged his feet to the large heavy oak doors.

'One more thing Jack,' Betty came up beside him, fumbling with her keys, purposefully delaying going inside. 'What happened at the hospital, with...' she hesitated, glancing at Hush then back to Jack. 'Everything, keep it quiet. It's probably for the best, if you know what I mean?' She raised her brows at Jack awaiting his compliance.

'You mean like not standing up for myself, being beaten into a hospital bed, and having no choice at being here?' Jack stretched his arms wide. 'Yeah, sure Betty, I can do that.' He rolled his eyes and stood waiting as she shook her head at him and muttered under her breath about ungrateful children as she opened the door.

Once inside Betty locked the door and left Jack alone, patting him gently on the head before heading off to the Staff Only side of the Victorian building.