Whispers After Dark

Chapter 4

As the lunchtime chatter began to diminish, and the children finished their meals one by one, physical activity was next on the agenda. Bellies full and spirits rejuvenated, the children were eager to get some fresh air.

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the orphanage grounds. The children were impatient for the opportunity to release their pent-up energy and enjoy the freedom of movement apart from sitting in the classrooms all day. They would soon return to Roy, but their minds were occupied by the enjoyable task at hand.

As the children dispersed across the field, laughter and the sound of games filled the air. Many of the boys played American football, with the girls in the corner, admiring the speed and physique of the boys. Emily, always full of enthusiasm, joined in the activities with a wide smile on her face, her energy infectious. Stumbling around, nothing could wipe the wide smile smeared on her face.

I watched from a distance, my protective gaze never straying too far from my little sister. Her spirit was unyielding, she was so small and vulnerable, it kept me worried that she was susceptible to harm from falling so much. I took solace in the fact that she had made friends with a couple of the children, but it was agonizing seeing the bigger children so close to her. A graze could knock her down, and they didn't look the type to forgive and forget.

My contentment was short-lived and the situation I had feared was soon my reality. As the games progressed, Emily's ball landed near the older boys, one of whom noticed a little girl chasing after the ball. A smile crept across his face and the ball was passed around with joy, avoiding Emily as she aimlessly ran after the ball. It didn't take long for the boys to get bored until a tall thin boy kicked it at Emily. With the force, she tumbled backward, her head jerking back, and her elbows scraping the ground. A snicker ran through the crowd of boys. My heart clenched, and a surge of anger coursed through my veins. I hurried towards them, each step purposeful and filled with exasperation.

"Hey!" I shouted, my voice cutting through the air. Leaving no time for the boy to notice me, I pushed him away from my sister. The boys turned to face me, their expressions a mix of surprise and defiance. I stood my ground, a protective shield around my fallen sister.

The surprised boy got up and stepped forward with a sneer on his face. Standing close, I could get a closer look at him. Tall and thin, he had pallid skin around his large nose. His short shiny brown hair curled, losing its opacity under the glimmer of sunlight. His small brown eyes set atop his round chin, with ears that stuck out from his hollow cheeks. His small hands didn't quiver from fear, but his narrow shoulders made it difficult to see him in a tyrannical way. He held his head high, abhorrent of me and what I'd done.

"What's your problem, Charles? Can't handle a little teasing?" The boys around him snickered, some closing the gap between us. I moved closer toward Emily.

"You want me to stand by and watch as you hurt my sister?" I clenched my fists, in case he would take this any further.

"Don't get too rowdy here, it's just a little introduction to the orphanage." He opened his arms as if to claim the vast ground behind him as his.

"Don't. Touch. My sister." I hoped my gaze was intense enough to get the message through. I clenched my jaw and kept my stare locked on the scrawny boy.

"Well Charles, remember that-"

"Charlie." I interrupted with a stern voice.

"Huh?" The boy questioned. Raising both eyebrows, his voice was full of bewilderment.

"My name is Charlie, not Charles." The boys in the crowd scoffed, and a couple of the girls giggled. The boy's face looked flustered like he lost his authority and train of thought.