What a peculiar name. I run Ever’s name through my head as I lounge on the hard floor, head in Alexa’s lap, she too lying down. Her fingers drum onto the ground, filling the silence with a rhythmic beat. One two, one two, one two. I long abandoned conversation when Alexa and I noticed that the girl, Ever, could hear us, no matter how quietly we whispered.
About one hour later, I hear Alexa’s familiar snoring mingle with that of Ever’s soft, almost inaudible ones. Hmph. I pass the time by following the numerous cracks that spider across the ceiling, creating an intricate labyrinth. A few more uneventful hours later, as my eyelids begin drooping shut, the door suddenly unlocks and opens, making me bolt upright, heart pounding and eyes wide. A care giver brings a large mound of boiled somethings and water on a large tray. He sets the food on the ground and stalks out silently, never sparing a glance at us. Such friendly service, I think sarcastically. Can you think sarcastically? Do your thoughts even have a tone? Oh! What if people could, like, talk with thei- My mind is brought back to the present when the man slams the door shut and immediately locks it. What kind of orphanage is this? More like some prison system. I stand up, careful not to wake Alexa, and walk to the tray. The odor assaults me right away as I pick it up and bring it to where the girls are still sleeping, holding it as far away from myself as physically possible. I lean over Alexa after I set the tray down beside her, sucking in a breath.
“Alexa, wake up!” My sister’s eyes shoot open. Smack. Her fist connects with my face, instantly making the room spin rapidly in front of me. I manage to hold in the scream, though a muffled groan escapes my lips. “Oi! Calm down! It’s just ME.” Alexa’s hands immediately grab my face and yank it towards her, bombarding me with apologies. “I’m so sorry! I swear that was a refle- what is that smell, Alex?” Alexa asks, face scrunching and hand coming up to plug her nose, my bruising cheek instantly forgotten. “It’s tonight’s dinner.” I reply glumly, rubbing my cheek and glaring daggers at her while I take a seat next to her. Alexa searches the tray for a while, picking and prodding at various lumps of vegetable (I think), when she finally decides on a somewhat green carrot thing and hesitantly brings it up to her mouth. I twist around, about to wake Ever, and jump, bumping into Alexa as an already wide awake Ever smirks. Heartbeat racing, I take deep breaths while glaring at the girl. How did she get there? Creepy much. Ever pops a cauliflower into her mouth, chin slightly raised and still smirking. I don't care if she's a girl. I want to slap that smirk straight off her little bronzed face. Still glaring at Ever, I attempt to down some broccoli. Key word: attempt. After we, well mostly Ever, finish our excuse for a meal, I bring the tray back to the door while Alexa curls up into the far left corner. “Don’t blame me if you wake up in the middle of the night, starving.” Ever remarks, scrunching herself into her little corner. I join my sister and lean back against the frigid wall, watching the moonlight filter through the barred window. Huh, why did I never notice that? The light flickers for a moment before returning to normal, making me doubt that it actually happened. Eh, just a trick of my mind. I dismiss. The last thing I hear is the sound of a nightingale before I am fast asleep.
