The Witch's Kid

The Witch's Kid-Chapter One

BEFORE

I woke up, feeling suffocated. I struggled for air, and looked around me frantically. Smoke encircled my room, wrapping itself around my body. I saw flames down the hall, where my parent’s room was.  “Mom? Dad?! I gasped.  I ran out of my room, and got down on my hands and knees, like I’d learned in grade one. Get down on your knees, heat rises. My mind told me. I started crawling towards my parent’s doorway. They always liked to keep their door closed, and here’s a perfect reason why they shouldn’t. Smoke was seeping from underneath the door. I grasped the handle and pushed the door open. As soon as it was open, I stepped back twice, shocked. My mom and dad’s room was where the fire was. And the fire had eaten my parents too.

CHAPTER ONE

“You GHASTLY child! Never show your face near me again!” “I won’t do so, m’aam.” I saluted the old, ugly woman and smirked. The orphanages doors opened in front of me. I’ve known this orphanage since I was 6. I’ve spent half my life here. It’s my home. I leaned against the front desk, waiting for my sorting, my chore, and my line-up. “Adelaide, Adelaide, Adelaide. When will you ever learn?” Danny said, not even moving his eyes from his paper. He’s had to say this so many times to me. “You set fireworks up? I have to say, this is a new low.” He made a tsk-ing sound. “Yeah, but it’s more like a new high.” I rolled my eyes behind my sunglasses and blew a bubble with my gum. I watched the small children play in the front, and I instantly felt bad. I remember my first day here.

GLASS PLACE ORPHANAGE, October 20, 2006

“Hello, sweety!  What’s your name?” A cheery woman said to me. “Adelaide.” I replied shyly. “Well, if that isn’t a pretty name, I don’t know what is! And you’re a sight to sore eyes also!” She beamed at me and I half-smiled back. My mom was the only one who ever complimented me. “What’s your last name, hon?” “Jorpalgeo.” I looked at the ground. “Okay! Well follow me!” She took my hand and led me to a pretty green room. “This is where you’ll be staying!” I ran across the room to the bunk bed. “I’ve always wanted one of these!” I shouted. “Be quiet.” I heard from above me. “Now, Carly, welcome our new addition!” The woman scolded. “Welcome.” She said. I still haven’t viewed her yet. But a little bit later I would know that I would follow after Carly’s footsteps. She taught me so much. She was my best friend. She just turned 18 last month, and I can’t get over her being gone.

“Adelaide, did you hear me?” “Huh? What?” I sniffled and adjusted my glasses higher on my nose. Apparently I’d spaced out. “Your sorting is room 106, you knew that, your chore is kitchen duty, you knew that, and your line up is…” For the first time since, well, ever, Danny’s face registered emotion. Pain. “No one.”