Vibrant Eyes

Chapter 9

What now? I have no family, nor any personal belongings. I have to go back to the place I was wanted the least and once again become the Cinderella I always was. Now the Cinderella with the dead fairy godfather.

The officers had left shortly after my beg to continue the search for Matthew. I was pretty sure they notified a nurse about my cabin fever because shortly after they left a nurse made me return to my bed and gave me medication that made me drowsy.

After my inflicted nap, I woke up to disgusting hospital food that supposedly formed my lunch - yeah, because I was going to eat that - and my former orphanage director.

"What, did he get tired of you already? Why am I not surprised," she smirks.

"Nice to see you too, Gladys." I huff while retaining an eye roll.

"At least Caleb will be happy to see you. He has been shyer than normal since you left."

Caleb was one of the few boys at the orphanage. He was the youngest orphan there when he arrived and four years my junior. He was the only one who treated me like family and we became really close after I made sure no one messed with him on his first day. Ever since he's been like my adopted little brother. He was always shy and humble. He never liked to start his own conversations or listen to any that didn't involve him. He has always been in his own little world and that was why he failed so many adoption interviews. As sad as it seemed, I was glad he wasn't adopted in the last three months. I need him when I go back to being the enslaved maid.

"He still hasn't been adopted yet?" I ask with false disappointment.

"What are you mad that you have to return to him? Did you decide that you're too mature for him or something?" Holding back an eye roll is getting harder than normal.

"No Gladys, I just think he deserves a loving family. I wasn't sure if I was ever going to see him again so I hoped that he found people who love him as much as he should be."

"Yeah whatever. You gonna get dressed so we can leave or do you want to moon the whole dang world?"

"We're leaving right now?"

"Did I stutter? Get your lazy butt out of bed and get dressed. You know it's illegal to leave the little devils alone for more than an hour." It's illegal to leave them alone at all.

"Yeah yeah I know. "

I make my way to my bag full of donated clothes the hospital gave me. Surprisingly, they actually have clothes that don't date back to the 1800's. I find a pair of denim jeans that were ripped at the knees and a red t-shirt along with a pair of worn out high-top Converse. I throw the hospital gown in the trash - because they totally would want that thing back - and head out to Gladys. I take a deep breath before exiting the bathroom. This is going to be a long car ride.

"About time. I thought you were taking a dump in there. Are you part turtle or something? You need to pick up the pace. Nothing is going to get accomplished if you just sit on your butt all day." She nags while opening the door.

"You should know." I mumbled.

"What was that?"

"I didn't say anything."