Tale of Riddle : Games of fate

I.II - The hellish circle

It had been a week since Aéla arrived at Wool's orphanage and all was going as she had planned it. Her life turned into hell where her disability was an excuse to punish her. Everything became a test that the Nuns and employees made unconquerable and the other children, who quickly understood her mutism and her good understanding with Tom, were having pleasure to martyrize Aéla. Fortunately, in this new way of life, Aéla could count on the relative support of Tom.

These two children get along well inside their bedroom but outside, despite some kind gestures, Tom stayed alone and rarely spoke with Aéla. Maybe he feared to be more despised by the others if he spent more time with her ? For real, Tom didn't care about the others. He didn't care about those who made fun of him and those who made fun of Aéla, even though it stirred up more his bitterness on those who were not like him. He observed these events from afar, with a bad grin on his face, and sometimes a strange thing happened.

However, instead of Tom was the only one to be punished when this happened, Aéla joined him in the correction room for some stupids reasons. In a few days, she became the "accomplice" of Tom, as said by Miss Thornshaw. Although her life turned into disaster, Aéla prayed for a better future, her eyes fixed on St-Michael's church. And, she was right to hope because this day was Tom's birthday.

When Aéla woke up, Tom wasn't in his bed. This one was made square and his pajama was perfectly folded on his pillow. She stood up, washed herself and got dressed with the same dress she wore since her arrival, because she hadn't any other clothes, and Aéla walked down in the dining area where the breakfast was served. The area was noisy and Aéla received a few pieces of oatmeal on her hair because the children were so wild on this day and didn't care about the headmistress's scoldings. On the other side of the room, Aéla noticed Tom who ate his breakfast alone, as avery day, and took the decision to sit next to him even though she knew that he wouldn't like it.

- Oatmeal or corn flakes ? asked Miss Popperton as soon as Aéla was seated.

The young girl looked at the corn flakes with intensity with a vain hope to make her choice guessed, as every morning, but as every meal it was useless. Miss Thornshaw gave the order to the employees to make Aéla speak at any price, even if it meant not feeding her.

- Oatmeal or corn flakes ? Make a choice, young girl. I don't have time to wait !

- She wants oatmeal, spit Tom with contempt for the nurse.

- I didn't ask you, Riddle. And you, said Popperton with a look at Aéla, if you don't speak, you don't eat !

She turned and went back to the kitchen with her cart without serving anything to eat to Aéla, who had her eyes misted. At her side, Tom rolled his eyes in resignation and pushed his half-full bowl in front of Aéla.

- I would prefer if you don't starve ! justified himself, held her gaze. They would accuse me of killing you.

He stood up and, without a glance, returned to their bedroom. Aéla stared at the bowl with relief. She didn't eat for three days and was grateful to Tom for having, finally, pity for her. She dipped her spoon on the cereals and devoured it all in only a few seconds.

In the bedroom, Tom focused his attention on an old book that he stole from a former resident. Since a few days, in fact, since Aéla arrived, a lot of things had changed in his morose life. First, he wasn't the only strange person anymore who haunted these unsanitary walls. Then, he had found a little interest for another life than his own. And finally, Aéla's company turned out to be more pleasant than he expected. All of that disturbed him. He was always alone and loved that. Loneliness was, for Tom, like a mother who never abandoned him and reassured him in his nightmares. Suddenly, his feeling of loneliness disappeared like snow under sunshine. He was not alone anymore.