Whispers After Dark

Chapter 9

Her eyes were swollen and red with tears that traced their path down her cheeks. The once bright and lively girl had just been informed of her departure from her home and new friends. Again. Sorrow and pain clouded her emotions, with the usual spark that danced within her being replaced by a haunting emptiness. That everything was temporary for her. Thinking she was finally in a comfortable and lovely home was always ruined by her brother who came with the news that this home wasn't going to work. Perhaps they just weren't going to work for him.

I blinked my eyes several times. It was hard to believe what had happened yesterday. It felt like a crazy dream. I looked around the room to see yawning children shaking their friends awake. Sunlight shone on my face, and I kept my right eye squinting.

Emily continued to snore beside me, her arms and legs widely reaching in odd directions. I gently called out her name in a hushed voice.

"Emilyyy," I whispered, stretching the end of her name. She lay still, cocooned in her blanket, unaware of the disturbing events that occurred after supper.

I gave her shoulder a gentle shake, trying not to startle her awake. Her eyelids fluttered slightly, and she slowly opened her eyes, blinking in the soft light as she tried to make sense of her surroundings. She yawned and rubbed her eyes, still half-asleep. Her hair was a wild mess, strands struck out in all directions. I guess it meant that she had slept well. As she tidied her sleeping area, her messy hair bounced and swayed with every step.

Every morning before breakfast, Mrs. Chamberlain brushed every girl's hair. It was random about what style she would do. Ponytails, pigtails, french braids; she alternated her styles every other day. To me, Emily looked the best with French braids, and that's exactly the hairstyle she got today. It was hard watching Mrs. Chamberlain so normal now. Her cheekbone remained red from last night, confirming how hard Mr. Chamberlain had laid his hands on her. Her eyes were puffy, and her face didn't bore the same vibrant smile it had on every morning. I wondered what happened after I had run away, afraid of exposing my eavesdropping. Just thinking about the consequences ran chills down my spine and I averted my thoughts.

How could she drug the children and then act like it was all normal in the morning? Mrs. Chamberlain was so kind and considerate to the children, it was still hard to believe what she had done. I shook my head to wash away the thought. It wasn't just her. Roy and Mr. Chamberlain had been involved as well.

Then a thought popped into my mind. Maybe she was being forced to stay here. Yes! It was the only explanation. She would never want to be at a poor orphanage anyways, let alone sedate them. After all, what monster would willingly drug children and make them do horrific things while under the influence?

Today's breakfast was scrambled eggs paired together with an English muffin. It was my favorite meal in the morning, but we rarely ever ate it. The atmosphere was back to supper last night. The children's faces were still marked with the sleepiness of the early hour, mixed with the lingering tension of the events from yesterday's physical activity. Some children avoided eye contact, while others whispered to their friends, casting curious looks in my direction. I guess some of the kids were scared of me now.

Following breakfast, the children finished their meals with minimal laughter and banter. As they made their way to the classroom for their daily studying, the atmosphere remained somber. It seemed my disruption of the way of life here had been much bigger than I thought.

I couldn't focus much on my work. Once again, the beauty of nature had me dazed. There were no crows or unique sky color; just the often swaying of trees and the rustling of leaves. The sky painted a plain light blue color overshadowed the horizon. It was nothing special. To nature, it was just another day. But it wasn't. There was a drug-inducing orphanage that duressed children resting beside it. My stomach began to churn just thinking about the despicable things they did here to the children.

Most of my work was blank but I handed it in anyways. I could practically hear Roy's stern telling off. It was inevitable so I tried not to worry about it. Physical activity was never my favorite part of the day, but it was definitely going to be unusually tense today. I guess it had been tense all day anyways.

The tired children spread out across the field, ready to relax and have fun outside. Sounds of children chasing each other for tag filled the air and physical activity had gone back to normal. Benjamin and his goons had moved away from Emily. She was giggling at their usual spot running after some of the other little children. It was a peaceful day outside.

The physical activity gave me time to think about what happened the previous day. It was disgusting to skin a fish off. The squishy sensation that made it feel alive grossed me out. But it wasn't the questions about the fish that filled my thoughts. I couldn't wrap my head around the questions I had about the white powder and what drug they used to sedate the children. Surely, it couldn't have been a healthy amount. I wasn't much of a science nerd but there shouldn't be any drug to make children powerless of their actions.

I had to figure out what the powder and sedating drugs were. I couldn't ask any of the adults, they would probably sell me out. I don't know what they would do if they found out I knew. Maybe they would do something to Emily. No, I couldn't let that happen. I had to find out by myself in secret.

Scratching my head for a plan, it didn't take long for me to think of something. I could search Mr. Chamberlain's office. His folders should have some sort of clue in there. But what if he was in his office? I would have to create a diversion to get inside unnoticed. Mrs. Chamberlain stood by the porch, watching the children, probably on Mr. Chamberlain's orders to make sure the events from yesterday didn't repeat themselves. I had no time to waste. Getting up from my spot on the grass, I took a deep breath, preparing myself for what I was about to do. If I wanted to figure out the secrets behind the orphanage, this was the only way. The possibility of all this being just a huge misunderstanding was out of the question. There was no turning back now. I walked over to Mrs. Chamberlain and my plan went into motion.