Orphan

-Sophia-

      Whoa whoa whoa, hold on a minute. It says in the description that there are six kids!! You forgot two whole characters!!! Can't you count to six?!?! 

      Yes, I can. Sorry if this chapter isn't what you expected, but I wouldn't want you to forget about the other characters! I'll probably do just one chapter for each character who has already arrived, just so you know. If you can't possibly read about previous characters again, you can wait for the next chapter about a new character. But without further adieu, Sophia McLoughlin!

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      We had just finished dinner, and most of us were in our rooms. Gwen was across the hallway in hers, probably writing. I was drawing some random things in my sketchbook, trying to think of one thing in particular to draw. I think Lucas was downstairs; it was his night for dishes. I was just finished the last curve of one of my drawings when a very loud train whistle sounded. It startled me so much that my hand and pencil jerked to the side, creating a long, dark line on the page. Not even taking the time to erase it, I slammed my sketchbook closed and set my pencil down, climbing off my bed walking to the door. I opened it just a crack, only wide enough for me to peek my head out. I saw Gwen doing the same thing across the hallway, so I called out to her softly.

      "Did you hear that?" I said to her. She nodded, her brow creased in confusion. "It sounded like a train to me," I continued, stepping out into the hallway and closing the door behind me. Gwen copied me, nodding again as she stepped towards the staircase.

      "I'm gonna go check it out. Ms. Pattinson might know what's going on," she said as she started descending down the staircase. I followed her cautiously, hesitating for a few moments before walking slowly down the wooden stairs. She reached the dining room before me, but Ms. Pattinson was already walking briskly out of the kitchen towards the front door, Lucas following more slowly behind with a dishrag still in his hand. Ms. Pattinson turned into the living room as Lucas stopped to talk to Gwen, the same confused and slightly worried look on his face. I hurried down the rest of the steps to hear the conversation, wondering if he knew anything we didn't. 

      "...train whistle. You know anything I don't?" I heard Lucas ask as I reached them. Gwen shook her head, her ponytail swinging back and forth.

      "Nope. Sophia and I were just up in our rooms when we heard it. I was going to ask Ms. Pattinson," she said. Lucas nodded before replying.

      "Yeah. She acted really weird after we heard it. Her eyes got all big and she rushed out of the kitchen right away," he said, stepping towards the living room. Gwen followed, and I jogged to catch up with them. We reached the living room just as Ms. Pattinson was leaving again, but Lucas stepped in front of her. "Ms. Pattinson, do you know what's going on? Is something wrong?" he asked. She looked at him, obvious worry in her eyes.

      "I- no, nothing's wrong. I just need to- excuse me dear," she said quickly as she stepped around Lucas and hurried to the staircase, her footsteps clicking as she rushed up the wooden steps. My eyes followed her until she disappeared, and I looked back at Gwen and Lucas. We shared a glance before hurrying into the living room to peer out the window. I looked into the approaching darkness, at first seeing nothing. Gwen's hand flew to her mouth as her eyes grew wide, and Lucas' mouth fell open. He pointed out the window to a small figure that was slowly approaching. I squinted, trying to make out what it was.

      "Look," Gwen gasped, her voice barely above a whisper. I looked more closely, suddenly realizing that it was a boy. He looked to be carrying two suitcases, and he was staring at the house as he stumbled jerkily up the hill. My hands started shaking, and I felt frozen in place. My heart raced, and I started feeling slightly nauseous. I knew exactly what was happening, but I would never, ever be prepared for it. My social anxiety was kicking in, and Lucas and Gwen noticed right away. Suddenly, Ms. Pattinson yelled down from upstairs.