The Strange and Absurd Tales of Liverpool Orphanage

The Secret Masked Society and A New Caretaker

      Retrieving no answer from the phone, our dear Eliza was feeling very distraught. What was she too do? She was in a small town that she knew nothing about, not to mention an orphanage with not-so-kind children, and a dead caretaker who had fallen down the stairs! Never in her life, has anything so strange and unfortunate happen to Eliza within only a few hours. "So the phone will not work...What am I to do...?" Eliza mumbled to herself. Eliza's eyes blurred as suddenly the lights turned on, as Eliza looked up from where she was sitting, she was surrounded by 5 children, but they did not look like regular children...

They seemed to be wearing strange bags over their heads with painted faces on them, of course, this would frighten anyone, especially if one was distraught or stressed. Eliza had let out a shriek of terror and jumped up in an act to protect herself. The children did not react, or really move. As Eliza stood, she got a good glimpse of each child. They were all in a circle around her, Eliza counted two girls and three boys, two wearing dresses and the three others wearing shorts or slacks. The first child on the left was short and small, only looked around 6 or 7, He seemed to have nice clothes on, shorts, long sleeved undershirt a vest and tie with a good pair of shoes and socks. He also looked sickly pale, possibly from not eating or being sick. The next child was very tall, he had tan skin and wore a pair of basic slacks and boots with a button up shirt. He looked around 13 to 14 perhaps, or maybe slightly younger. 

The middle child was a good size, she had very dark skin and wore a pink dress with only one shoe on, She looked around 10 to 11 due to her height. The child to the right of her was also a female, but was very chubby! She wore a blue dress with flowers on it and a nice pair of flats, she had very light skin. The last child was a boy, and was taller than the first boy, but not as tall as the second one. He wore a pair of suspenders and a shirt and slacks, no shoes. Eliza could not see their faces due to the bags over their heads. Eliza was stiff with fear. "Who's she?" The small boy asked, his voice muffled from the bag. "Our new caretaker, of course!" The girl in the middle said. "She is?" the other girl asked. "Why yes, Our other caretaker took a trip down the stairs, How ghastly that was!" The girl in the middle said once more. "P-Pardon me but...Was Ms.Breckenridge the only caretaker here...?" Eliza asked softly. The children paused a moment and each nodded their bagged heads.  

"Look here children, I am the only adult around at the moment, and It seems you have no one to care for you...My name is Elizabeth, But you can call me Eliza. I was going to be your new caretaker for when Ms.Breckenridge retired, But it seems she has passed away." Eliza said. "When someone passes away it is always best to call the police, I tried to use the phone but there is no signal!" Eliza said as she motioned towards the phone. "I am very stressed, and I have just gotten here..." Eliza mumbled. She did not know why she was telling all of her worries to children, But when one is desperate they will do anything it seems. "It's alright Ms.Eliza. Walter is taking care of everything." the tall boy said in a sore voice. "Why are you wearing bags on your heads?" Eliza asked suddenly. The question seemed to just pop into her mind.

The children just giggled. "As our new caretaker, You must feed us! We are awfully hungry!" The chubby girl said. Eliza paused a moment. She was the only adult here at the moment...And she was left alone with a house filled with children. Eliza needed to contact the police, But the phone was not working...And she could not leave the children unattended! Especially when they were hungry! Eliza would not allow it! "Alright children, I will feed you! But you must take off the bags on your heads, and tell me each of your names!" Eliza said. The children all took a few glances, and then huddled together and whispered a bit. They then stopped and turned around, taking off the bags. 

"See, isn't that much better? Now I can see each of your lovely faces!" She said. Now that she could see their faces, she could determine more about them. "I am Ajax Cottonmouth." said the short boy with pale skin, He had dark brown hair and dark eyes, and a brooding hard look to his face. "Freckles." Said the taller boy. He had an dirty face and ginger hair, freckles sprayed across his face and bright eyes, and an unusually long neck. "Ruthea, friends call me Ruth." The dark skinned girl said, She had braided kinky hair and dark eyes and skin, Her face was fine and firm. "Lucillia Bottom." said the chubby girl, who had short brown curly hair and blue eyes. The last child, was fair skinned and blonde haired, He had a smoldering dark look in his eyes, and his face was fixed into a glare. "What is his name?" Eliza asked Ruth. "He doesn't talk." Ruth said with a bored look in her eyes. "We call him Glare, Since all he ever does is glare at people." Ruth said. "You all our lovely children," She said. "You haven't met the others yet." Freckles said in a dark tone. "Well where are the others?" Eliza asked. "You mean Walter and Jude?" Ajax asked. "Jude is a baby. She's hangin' around here somewhere..." Ruth said. "Can we eat now?" Lucillia asked. "Wait, Why do you wear those bags over your heads?" Eliza asked once more, she was awfully curious. The children gave another giggle. "She doesn't know..." Lucillia said. "The Secret Masked Society..." Ruth said, "We tell no one." Ajax said and the children giggled once more. Eliza, went stiff a little...The Secret Masked Society...? What was that...? She decided not to ask. "Well, Why don't you all go wash up, and find the others will you?" Eliza said. "Go on," She said. The children all scattered out, little feet running off. Eliza took a deep breath. Oh...Poor, Poor Eliza...