Whispers After Dark

Chapter 7

My hands continued to shake even after leaving his office. The atmosphere was tense in his room earlier, and I could hardly keep my food on my spoon. His aura was intimidating but unpredictable. I didn't understand his sudden change in mood transitioning from the hypothetical question.

It was clear that my presence in the dining hall was unwelcoming. Disrupting the flow of things at the orphanage, I was an inconvenience to the children, and probably Mr. Chamberlain too. I kept an eye on Emily, who was still clueless about what had happened in the last couple of hours. Sneaking glances around her body, I was worried the children might've tried something in class. Fortunately, there were no undiscovered bruises. I took a mental note to ask Emily what Roy had taught her today. It would keep her mind off her injuries and I would be less susceptible to Roy's disciplining methods.

I refused to let their judgment define me. I had done the right thing, I told myself again and again. Each new eye on me, all hearing a different version of the event, but similarly painting me as the villain each time. Forcing the food on the plate down my throat and hearing Emily's loud munching kept me occupied for the rest of supper.

Elliot snickered and whispered something to his friends, followed by an eruption of laughter from his side of the table.

"Hey Charlie, why don't you 'ead down to the Chocolate Factory, I 'eard they're in need of some oompa loompas," Elliot yelled across the room. Laughter spread through the dining hall as he smirked from confidence. He was trying to assert dominance over the rest of the children.

"You'll fit right in," one of his goons pitched in, followed by sneering from his group of friends.

I wasn't going to let him off by doing that.

"Why don't you take me? Already look like you work there." I snapped back. The other children oo'ed at my comment, looking at Elliot for another comeback. He had none, and he buried his face in his dinner, hiding behind his friend's bodies. I was proud of my insult and I ate dinner proudly after that.

Following the routine of the previous day, medication was passed around in a plastic cup. It had been a long day. I couldn't be more ready for bed. Deep in thought, I stretched my arms in front of me. Knocking over the plastic cup, I quickly lifted it back up. Nearly half the liquid had reached the table. Looking around to notice any eyes on me, everyone was busy in their chitchat. Wiping the table with my sleeve, I covered the amount of liquid left in the cup. It never crossed my mind what the medication was for, but to be desperate for living accommodations, it was a simple matter to ignore.

Roy began his countdown, with the children joining in again, making it seem like a joyous occasion after supper. Gulping my drink, I gave side glances around the table, to see the rest of the children. Their faces were bland. Every one of them held similar expressions, like sleeping with your eyes barely open. Emily conformed to their behavior and remained silent. It was different from her normal energy.

"Stand." Mr. Chamberlain's voice was commanding, reminding me of our unsettling conversation earlier.

The children followed concurrently, obeying his order. Surprised I wasn't going to get in trouble for the second time in the day. I shuffled my feet and stood in the same position as the rest of the orphans.

"Follow me, single file order."

The children, like a herd of sheep, followed him, one behind another. Stopping in front of a garbage can, he pointed toward it.

"Throw your cups 'ere, and come 'ere."

The children were obedient and followed his orders, each child dropping their cup in the garbage and being led by the child in front of them.