Orphan Dreams

Part 1

Emmy was dancing with the love of her life. The dim lights of the chandeliers showered their entwined figure. Whispers followed their every step. The smell of perfume and wine drowned her senses. But her beloved seemed oblivious to all of this, his attention solely on her as his powerful frame covered her delicate one. With her head pressed against his shoulder, she couldn't ask anything more.

Everything was perfect except to the fact that none of it was real.

A loud crash came from her right, taking away the ballroom, dancing, and her love. Once again Emmy was back in her grey rag dress. A broom in her hand instead of wine. The orphanage grey walls enclosed around her instead of those of a dancing floor. And instead of a handsome man, her madame stood in front of her with rage instead of love was sketched upon her face.

"Daydreaming once more, Emilia?" Emmy jumped and stared at the mess of glass and goo. She was cleaning in the kitchen daydreaming when she had knocked up the leftover dishes on the table with her broom.

"This won't do we have to solve this problem once and for all. Clean up this mess then come to my office right away. If you keep me waiting, then you know what will happen". The madame shook her head in disapproval while Emmy felt resigned waiting to receive yet another punishment. What was she going to do this? Starve her for a day or assign her extra work? She dropped her head in defeat and choked her broom. The wood splinters diving into her already splintered hands.

The madame's name didn't matter to any of the orphans here. To those who cared to know it was Ms. Brown. To the occupants here she went by a couple of names. All of which they make sure that it won't reach the madame's ears for a punishment and a lecture would surely follow.

She would rave about the orphanage's greatness. About how it has generous donors who provide the kids with food, shelter, and education. But they are nothing but unpaid workers. Instead of a generous guardian, they see the owner, Mr. Stevenson, as a rich selfish prick who wants labor done but is too greedy to pay for deserving workers. Instead, he collects abused and abandoned children to work, and all the while uses them to elevate his social status.

And in return for the work, he provides the kids with basic human rights and expects them to be grateful. As if the fact that they came from unlucky origins makes them undeserving of being clothed and fed. They were required to be grateful for eternity. And work themselves to death trying to repay their providers.

Sadly, some believe that and live their lives under people shoes. Some others grow hateful and live seeking revenge by turning into criminals. While a small portion lived to dream of change. They were the most pitiful group and Emmy belonged to them.

But Emmy is more than a dreamer, she has a plan. Every evening they are supposed to retire early however while the others think that she is away to receive another punishment or to do more work (it wasn't uncommon for the older orphans to bear more work) Emmy would slip away into the night and return in the early hours of the morning.

Emmy collected the mess and rushed to the madame's office. She ran across the faded pavement and through the lifeless walls. The place was like a huge prison.

Emmy knocked on the madame's door and went in. Her office is even more depressing than the rest of this place. The madame was on her usual chair with her usual frown on. The one that make you question who chose her to be around kids when she so obviously despised them.

The madame spoke even before Emmy could fully shut the door behind her, "Emillia, we can't have you here anymore", On her way to the office her heart was beating hard but upon hearing those words it stilled completely.

"But I turn eighteen in eight months. I thought I have more time." the plan was to earn enough money to support herself. She had no idea where they would be sending her, but she knows for sure that the people here don't care enough to send her to a good place.

"You are causing too much trouble, so we cut it to four months. Every time you make a mistake it is going to deduct from your remaining time." Said the madame with no remorse. "I admit that I have thought of allowing you to work here but I didn't get enough back up on this decision."

It took all her willpower to not react to this news. She wanted to drop in relief because the last thing Emmy wanted was to rot in this place. At the same time she wanted to drop by the madame's feet, begging for mercy.

The madame clicked her tongue at Emmy's lack of response. After all, she was a creature who took pleasure in inflicting punishments on poor kids.

Emmy waited for the madame to add another information, but she didn't for she enjoyed seeing stress on Emmy's face. With nothing else to add Emmy excused herself and ran as far as her legs could take her.