Whispers After Dark

Chapter 2

 The blood on my hands was a tedious task to wash away. The dark red shade, now staining my fingers. After clearing the field of the carcass, I muttered a prayer in remembrance of the murdered crow. It must have suffered till its last breath. A desperate last attempt to survive.

Maybe Mr. Chamberlain was right, that life is a continuation of hardships and misery. I wasn't sure if that's what his point was. It was hard to follow his philosophy.

"If ya keep the water runnin', I'm sure you'll wash your skin right off." I turned around to see Mrs. Chamberlain in an apron, holding dirty bowls ready to be washed. I must've been too deep in thought to notice that she had crept up behind me.

"Oh, that's a shame, I was 'oping to get a tan," I replied sarcastically. Hoping she would match my energy instead of telling me off to be more respectful.

I caught a glimpse of a smile that had crept on her face. I smiled in return. Mrs. Chamberlain was the first to introduce Emily and I to the orphanage. She held Emily's hand while the excited girl eagerly jumped into every room. I could never forget her smile that day. Her faint chuckles and her wide smile matched Emily, it was part of the reason I decided to remain here. Emily's love for Mrs. Chamberlain and the orphanage grounds grew by the day, and she was in favor of remaining here, so the decision was absolute.

I remained, assisting Mrs. Chamberlain with the dishes. After knowing her for a couple of weeks, I learned she preferred to work in solitude. With her hands moving swiftly in the water, I could tell this was a daily routine of hers. Our teamwork of her cleaning the dishes and me drying them was effective to get the task done quickly. Mrs. Chamberlain looked deep in thought as she worked. Her skin possessed a radiant warmth and a gentle, sun-kissed glow, leaving behind a subtle hint of summer on her complexion. She looked fairly young to be working at an impoverished orphanage. Perhaps it is for her love of children that she remained to mother the orphans.

"How much longer do you intend to scrutinize my body?" Her acknowledgment of noticing me was a back-handed compliment. As I stuttered for my words, she washed the last dish and looked in my direction. "It's not nice to stare at a lady, you know." Her voice didn't leverage the same effect as Mr. Chamberlain's. It was in a mocking tone, almost asking to be gawked at.

"The view behind you was splendid. It would be a shame to not witness the pristine beauty of nature." I finished drying the last of the bowls, and I began bringing them back in with the headmistress.

"Ah yes, the cobblestone accent at the fountain is quite luxurious," she added.

"Behold. The most distinguished feature of the orphanage is the fountain." I held out my hands as if I had just revealed a grand surprise. She chuckled at the sarcasm and continued on her journey inside.

As I began to place the bowls in the cabinet, Emily's head popped around the corner. A subtle tremor coursed through my body, causing a momentary freeze, almost dropping the bowls. Her pigtails swayed behind her as she skipped towards us.

She poked my leg before speaking. "Mr. Roy says he wants you back in the classroom." Her eyes were no longer on me. They wandered around the kitchen, it was newfound territory for her.

The little children were rarely ever allowed to wander around. Mr. Chamberlain had set a strict schedule for the children, and although I was grouped in as well, my freedom extended beyond the confinement of his agenda. Cleaning up a dead bird was a good excuse to get away from my duties as the eldest.

I found it odd at times. That a fifteen-year-old boy would be the oldest. The little boys spread rumors that when children turn sixteen, they are transported to another orphanage. To the youth here, it was highly praised. A place with towering columns adorning the entrance, supporting a majestic portico that commanded attention with its sheer size and architectural magnificence. Large windows, allow the beauty of nature to be witnessed from its expansive rooms. To those outside, it provided a glimpse into a world of luxury and lavish lifestyle. Surrounded by meticulously landscaped grounds, it featured a field that the end knew no bounds. Adjoining a forest on either side, the glades were freshly cut by the teenagers and provided an ideal space for recreational activities and sports. To any child, it was a dream to grow up and be sanctioned at the epitome of luxury, represented by a haven of refinement, exemplary in every aspect.