Alex Drake's story

Chapter 2

Date: 11th April, 2004 - My 10th birthday

I remember this day like it was yesterday.

The P.E. teacher was yelling my name
"Drake, get up from the bed or I will make you run 600 metres on the field. I don't care if you have birthday. This day will be like others. Nothing special.

I started crying. But I didn't get up from the bed. I continued lying in the bed, under the silk blanket. I couldn't let someone see me crying. Everyone would've mocked at me.

When I calmed down, the teacher hit my back and I fell on the floor. That pain, I cannot describe it but I felt the ache and mostly anger.

Fortunately, the coach didn't make me run.

" Time for lunch, girls! Move these lazy asses and come to the canteen."

Then I thought why everyone at this orphanage was yelling. During my stay there, none of the teachers and students talked to me normally.

The lunch wasn't that bad- chicken and mashed potatoes. There was a cup of tea too. Of course there was. We are in Britain.

The happiest moment on that day was when the cook gave me a cupcake. She knew it was my birthday and gave only to me. Stella, that was her name, was the only person in this place who understood me. She was my only friend. Maybe because I was the only one who greeted and smiled at her. Stella was an amazing person. And I can say that I really miss her. I told her my secrets. I felt her like my mother.

Enough with the good thoughts. Now you will find out what is the reason that make me escape from this prison. Yeah, there was so many, but that was the last one, and the most painful one.

As I was walking in the yard of the orphanage, a crowd of older orphans came to me. 3 boys and 2 girls. I was eating my birthday cake.

"Where did you get that from" he asked

"Stella, the cook, gave it to me" I smiled. Maybe it sounds unreal to you but I was a good and cheerful child.

The tallest boy nodded at me and his friends grabbed my hands . That boy, who was on my right side, stole the cupcake. I stood up in order to get it back but the "king" hit me. I fell on the ground. I didn't feel the ache. That's why I touched my head. When I looked at my finger, I saw the blood.

The boy punched me once again. I started crying "Please stop. It hurts".

I couldn't stand that. I tried to escape but his "servants" literally began jumping on my legs.

Thank God that Stella appeared and saved me. They ran away. Instead of chasing them, my "mom" came to me and hugged me. She helped me and took me inside the building.

I was so tired that I fell asleep on the chair in front of the cabinet of the nurse

When I got up, I sat on the edge of my bed. I could feel the pain in my legs but I was able to walk perfectly.

Thinking about escaping. That was the first thought that came to my mind. It was a hard decision to make but I couldn't stand to be punished for things I hadn't done.

I reached my bag from the highest shelf of my locker and started packing. It was decided.

I stopped at the door. And looked the canteen and the bedroom for one last time. Everything I could think about then was the yelling, fighting, punishments and the evil coach. Oh and my long live enemy, Maddison.

My only nice thoughts were" Stella, I am sorry that I am leaving. You will always be in my heart. I love you like mother"

That was all. No more returnings, no more turning-backs.