The Orphan rogue

On My Own

Emily's POV

I've been on my own for two weeks now. The morning of my eighteenth birthday Everly came to the attic. She told me to take two sets of clothing and then I should leave the house. I was barely awake. To be honest I took my sweet time doing what she said. It pist her of, but not that I care. I took two sets of clothing and put it in my backpack. The day before I already took some food from the kitchen and put it in the same backpack. After that I took my time to say goodbye to all the girls. That was actually the hard part. I somehow feel responsible for these girls. The voice in my head keeps thelling me to stay and to protect them. But it is not like I can stay here. Everly would never let me. And even do I'm not scared of her, I can't stay in her house without her permission. So I did wat I was told and left the house after saying goodbye to the girls. I waited in the woods on the other side of the road until the girls left for school. School is not fantastic, but it is better than with Everly and Bill. At least they are safe there. I finished high school early. I dit everthing I could to make sure I would finish early. That way I had atleast an high school diploma when I was kicked out.

After the girls where safe at school, I left to find a place I would be safe against the rain and the cold. About an hour into the woods I found an hollow tree. It was big enough for me to sleep in at night and to hide my bag in during the day. After that, I looked for a place to clean myself. The second day I found this little stream of water. I try to go there ones a day to wash myself and my clothes. Besides that, I always collect some water to drink. I need to cook it first, but after that it is actually pretty good. I took two boxes of matches before I left and they are really useful right now. Within the hollow tree I made a make shift bed. I used a lot of leaves to make is a little bit comfortable. It is not as good as a real bed, but it is fine for now. At least I don't have to sleep on the hard forest floor. For food I made a pretty good plan. I did my research at the school library computer. I made a list of thinks I can and cannot eat in the woods. I don't really eat meat right know, because it is almost impossible to catch that out here. They are a lot faster than I am. I did however catch a fish one time. Still don't know how I dit it, but was happy to eat a little bit of meat after a week. I mostly eat roots of certain plants and sometimes berries if I can find them. It isn't great, but beter then nothing I guess. The worst thing to eat however is the insects. I need them for my protein, but I really don't like the taste of them. I know it is a delicacy in certain country's, but honestly I really don't like the taste.
It keeps me strong however and that is the most important thing.

I always make sure I am back at the road when the girls come home. I feel it is my job to protect them. The younger ones are happy enough, but it is hard on the older ones. They are the ones that have to work the hardest. Not only to go to school and do there homework, but they also have to clean the entire house every day. I know how tiring that is. I am not able to talk to them. Everly is always outside the house waiting for them. So the only thing I can do right now is making sure they know I am always there for them. Everly knows I'm there to, but she never said anything. I actually think she might be scared of me. I don't know why, but I do remember the day she looked scared the first time.

*flashback*
Tessa, Tessa, where are you. Answer me dammit. Everly came down the hallway furious. Tessa is one of the younger girls. Most girls here are quiet and careful, but not Tessa. She is new and doesn't know where the boundaries are. She still likes to push them even though we warned her not to. She has been lucky so far. Everly and Bill only screamed at her a few times. She hasn't been physically hurt yet. I don't think her mom and dad where easy people either. Tessa never reacts and that makes Everly even  angrier. Tessa and I are in the kitchen making diner. Chicken enchiladas are on the menu for today. Tessa is cutting onions at the table, while I am cutting the chicken. I look over at Tessa who has a wicked smile on her face. I sigh softly. What did you do this time I ask her. Tessa looks at me and shrugs. She was mean to Lucy, so I put a fake spider in her bed. I shake my head at her. She has done it this time. Everly isn't scared of a lot of thinks, but if she sees a spider, she completely freaks out. Whe al know this. Mostly because Everly gets really angry after and hits the person closest to her. I think she doesn't wants us to think she is weak, so she gets abusive. Tessa really went to far this time. Everly looks really angry the moment she walks in the kitchen. I try to stand between her and Tessa, but she pushed me out of the way. Everly starts screaming at Tessa. I hardly understands what she is screaming about and Tessa doesn't even react. She just continue to cut the onions. This pisses Everly even more of and she slaps Tessa across her face. Tessa drops her knife and looks completely shocked. Everly finally gets the reaction she wants and hit Tessa again. Tessa begs away against the wall trying to avoid the hits. I'm trying to stop Everly, but she is bigger and stronger than me and she pushed me away from her. Everly looks angrier than I have ever seen her. Suddenly she grabs the knife from the table and walks slowly towards Tessa. I hear Tessa scream for me. She is just a little girl and doesn't know any better. Suddenly I find myself in between Tessa and Everly. I puss Everly away and scream stop at her. It doesn't even sound like me and actually I'm shocked by my own actions. Everly's face turns pale an she looks at me as if I have two heads. She looks angry at Tessa a last time and then leaves the kitchen.

*end flash back*

After that Everly never try to hurt anybody when I was around. That is also the reason I'm staying close. She won't hurt the girls as much when I'm close. I know it won't work in the long run, but for now it will do.