Eyes of Mirrors (old)(#Wattys2017)

iii. it begins

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  "No, this is not the beginning of a new chapter in my life;
this is the beginning of a new book!
That first book is already closed, ended, and tossed into the seas;
this new book is newly opened, has just begun!
Look, it is the first page! And it is a beautiful one!"

― C. Joybell C.

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THERE WERE SIXTEEN of them in total, all trudging down the muddy path to the nearest tram station. The youngest of the orphans was Gardenia, the eldest being Navalis. Thus dictated the walking positions; Navalis and Gardenia next to Corporal Ekha, the rest behind.

The walk was mostly quiet, everyone was thinking about Helvete-la orphanage and those left behind.

"Were we the only ones you recruited?" Navalis asked, looking up briefly at Ekha. The cloth wrapped around her feet did little to stop any sharp stones from digging into her skin so she had to keep her gaze down.

Ekha's own feet were clad in light leather, reinforced with steel and iron, padded with foam and synthetic fibres. The trek to the station did not affect him as much as the orphans.

"No," he said, "there was also Chrysanthemum Orphanage."

At the name, Navalis' expression soured. The Chrysanthemum orphans were treated much better than she and those at Helvete-la. While Helvete-la was infamous for their beatings, Chrysanthemum boasted happy children with new clothes, toys, and freedom to visit the town's market.

"But they are too young to be useful."

The sun had risen high above their heads, bringing sweat and headaches. It beat down mercilessly, as if it had promised Fujre that it continue their torture. Soon the ground became hot, too. Navalis was slightly relieved none of them were barefoot.

Groans emitted from the children, now that they were free from Fujre's iron hold.

Soon enough, they came upon a run-down building; the nearest station to Helvete-la orphanage. The station at was not large enough to be called a station. It was one nonetheless, with its own metal sign, hanging from one corner.

The words were slightly faded, some letters scratched off. SKFRZÈ STAIION, it read. What the station was supposed to be called, Navalis had not a clue. This was farther than she had ventured out of Helvete-la.

It was less of a station and more of a metal hut. The whole structure seemed like it would collapse if any of them breathed too hard.

Nevertheless, Corporal Ekha shooed them in and looked around before he shut the door.

"Are you sure the tram still goes by here?" Èderin spoke his only words the past few hours. He looked around, running his finger along a benches' surface. It came away with what looked like two years' worth of dust and grime. He grimaced and wiped his hand on the Gardenia's clothes.

The little girl scowled at him but held her tongue.

The windows at the far end of the station looked towards the tram-tracks, large troughs in the ground covered with metal. Navalis poked her hand through the windows; the glass had shattered a long time ago.

"Come here," she said to Gardenia after she dusted off the bench. She guided the five-year-old onto the seat, clucking her tongue when she refused to sit.

Instead Gardie pranced over to the doorway leading to the tram-tracks and disappeared outside. Panic swelled in Navalis' throat.

She glanced at Ekha but he didn't look the least bit worried so she forced herself to relax. If Gardenia was in any danger Ekha would try to stop her, she told herself and her panic dissipated.