The Enchanted

Chapter One

"Are you sure about this, Crystal?" Ben asks me as he nervously runs his hand through his long brown hair. "Look okay I need to know why I'm here! For eight years all I've known is that my parents didn't want me and I ended up here, in care. I need to know why! Come on aren't you the least bit curious?" I smile mischievously as Ben shrugs and returns to his look out post. I bite my lip nervously as I pull out my file and hold it tight to my body. I nod to Ben who quickly relocks the cabinet and follows me out the office and back upstairs.

Back in the safety of my room, I throw myself onto my bed and smile at Ben. "Here goes nothing!" I open the file and flip to that page labelled 'background' and dated 17 June 2010.

Crystal Mayson came to us at Greenwich Care Home at the age of 6. Her mental state was not the best and she was clearly suffering from shock. Crystal was found alone in the Parkside Woods and due to this was given into our care until the parents were found. When she came to us, Crystal was shy, nervous and withdrawn which meant she did not get on well with the other children. Unfortunately, two years after she came to us the discovery was made that ,like we had suspected, her parents were dead. The police told us that they could not understand how they died but insured us that when Crystal turns sixteen she will be informed. Until then we have been given full custody of crystal until suitable foster parents arrive. The governors have been informed and they have all agreed that it's in Crystals best interest that she is not told of her parents death until the age of sixteen. We hope she will benefit from her time at Greenwich and we hope to bring out the happy child lurking beneath the layer of sadness.
-Signed: David Wallows (care worker)

I sit silent for a minute rereading one sentence over an over, Unfortunately, two years after she came to us the discovery was made that ,like we had suspected, her parents were dead! That was 6 years ago that my parents died! For eight years I sat wondering why my parents had left me here to rot and six of those years my parents were dead! I'm not sure whether to be happy that they didn't just leave me or devastated that they are dead and I will never see them again!

"Crystal?" I hear Bens voice call my name but I'm too shocked to speak. I hand him the file and watch his face change as he reads it. "Crystal I'm so sorry! I told you this was a bad idea. Crystal say something... Please?" When I look up at Ben it's clear to see the worry in his chocolate brown eyes. Ever since Ben arrived at Greenwich it's been those chocolate brown eyes , belonging to my best friend, that have been with me through all the good and bad times. "Ben," I mumble, "get rid of it! Take it back! I don't want it anywhere near me! All it tells me is that I'm never gonna see them again. I will never know who I am truly. I will only be the Crystal that Greenwich has made me. Please... " A single tear rolls out from my blue eyes and leaves a trail as it runs down my freckles cheek. Ben gets up and pulls me into a comforting hug before walking out the door with the folder clutched to his body. The door clicks shut and I hold my head in my hands and sob into the blonde mess of hair covering my face.
My parents are dead! Why didn't they tell me? Questions swim around in my head but all I can think is that my parents are dead!

*** I would like to thank my friend Joseph for proof reading this!! Thanks Joseph :D ***