Whispers After Dark

Chapter 21

 Finishing it up, the medication was passed around once again. The beginning of my escape plan had begun. I grabbed my cup and leaned just enough so that my hand touched the ground. Placing the cup underneath my chair, I slid it over to hide it beside the table leg. Cupping my fingers around both my hand, I made it appear that I had the cup with me, just out of sight from everyone else.

The fun countdown began and I stayed out of it. After all, I was trying to look normal. The children drank the Librium and I pretended to gulp mine as well, with the empty air cup I had conceived.

The bodies and minds of the rest of the children relaxed. The drug had started to take effect. There could be no mistakes here. Fortunately, I already knew what they were going to do, so this part shouldn't have been too hard.

Mr. Chamberlain led the children to the garbage first, each one dropping their empty cups and following his lead past his office. I clenched my fist as if my cup was in there, and quickly opened it as I hovered over the garbage can. Nobody seemed to notice my deception and I moved on as if nothing had happened. Part one of escaping had been completed.

As I stood by the table, my hands didn't shake as much this time as I followed the robotic moments of the other children. The oceanic aroma filled the room again, and although I was uncomfortable, I held back my urge to retch. I knew what was happening, and I had a grim feeling as I continued to enter the room.

The lab benches stood in front of me, and I found myself next to Emily. It only felt natural to stand beside her. I wasn't sure if this is what I would do when I was unconscious but if Mrs. Chamberlain heeded no mind to it the last time, then surely it was normal for me to work with her. I had to play a long and act like nothing was out of the ordinary right now.

Mr. Chamberlain instructed everyone to take the equipment from the cabinet below each table. It was easier than before, my plain expression wasn't hard to act, and I wasn't clueless that I had to follow the other children. I timed myself with the other children to appear natural. That's all I had to do now.

It was the same materials as before, the dull red bucket, the spoon, the sharp knife, and the butter knife. Roy handed out aprons, gloves, masks, and head caps, turning the room into what looked like a surgical setting.

I wasn't completely used to the feeling, and hiccups made me almost vomit from the fish. My hands moved to my mouth instinctively, but I refrained from showing any signs of unease. I copied the other children, slipping on the gloves and masks, as I had probably done numerous amount of times before.

Emily had taken my bucket, and I watched her closely as she handled the fish. Mrs. Chamberlain's instructions were monotonous, probably to avoid any confusion in the process. The children followed like mindless drones. I kept my focus on the task at hand, scaling the fish with precision.

As we moved on to the gutting process, the uncomfortable feeling the first time returned. I followed the final process of Mrs. Chamberlain's instructions of scooping out the entrails by scraping the kidney near the backbone with a spoon. I held my saliva at the edge of my throat to prevent my supper from appearing right in front of me. The fish's eyes seemed to plead for help, but I couldn't afford to let my emotions get the better of me. The fish could not evade its capture but I still had my chance.

The little children returned to the room with the bags filled with white powder. I now know what it was. Cocaine. It looked just like sugar, but to think that this fine powder was illegal. Chills ran down my spine.

Mrs. Chamberlain's voice rang out again, I watched as the bags were placed inside the fish. The pungent floral odor of cocaine mixed with the oceanic scent, created a sickening atmosphere. I knew that I had to keep my composure and act like this was just another mundane task.

As the procedure continued, I couldn't help but think about how far I had come. From being the new kid at the orphanage to now actively participating in the operation, it was a terrifying and surreal journey. I knew that I couldn't let my guard down, and that escape was the only option.

My heart pounded in my chest as I went through the motions, trying to keep my emotions in check. I had to stay focused to finally get Emily and myself out of this hellish place. But for now, I had to play my part and keep up the facade.

The drugs were ready, and I followed the clean-up procedure of giving our surgical gear back to Roy as I headed out with the children. A familiar voice stopped me in my tracks, as expected.

"Charlie, stay here. You'll leave later."

She taught me how to stitch up the fish like usual, and I tried my best to keep my hands steady to prevent sloppy work. There was no need to take a look at Mrs. Chamberlain working.

It was safe to say I was doing a much better job than last time. My body still shivered from the sight of the opened fish, and the squishy feeling to pull the string through its body, but I felt more tamed the second time around.

After finishing up my work, she sent me off to go to bed, like usual. Turning the corner to the large room filled with sleeping children, I grabbed my mat, the only one left in the pile, and slid under the cover. I took a deep sigh, relieving myself of the fear and worries of earlier. The second part of my escape plan was done. Probably the most scariest to me.