Extra long chapter, enjoy!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As I ran through the empty streets of Island 5 I could hear only two things: my heartbeat and my feet thumping the dusty dirt road.
It was midnight. I went out looking for food. When I saw the baker lock up his shop and hide his key I darted from my hiding place behind a metal bin. I finally reached the doorstep. I looked around. All clear. My dirty little hand searched under the mat where he hid the key. Something cold and slimy slithered by my hand. I winced and held in mt scream. I lifted up the mat to see a green baby garden snake. Harmless. I picked it up and and grabbed the key. It was cold inside. My hand felt the wall beside the door as I looked for a light switch.
It was bright. A slight smell of cookies and chocolate brushed under my nose. I scanned the area. There sat a fresh plate of chocolate cookies. I ran over to the glass cabinet. Surprisingly it was open. My belly hurt so much looking at the plate. I picked it up, poured the cookies in my bag and put the plate back. I searched for more food. There was so much food. Cakes, brownies, cupcakes, cookies, milk, fudge, it was so heavenly.
After I was done filling my bag up to the brim, I noticed something bright coming from a room in the back. I walked over to the curtain covering the door frame. When I pulled it open I saw a storage room. The light was coming from a tiny light switch on the other side of the room. Walking over there, I was a little creeped out. But i kept going. When I reached the light switch I flicked it on. Light was shining through cracks of a door. I opened the door, it creaked, which made me jump. Inside was three things that I wished I could have. Three things that would change my life forever.
I was looking at a toilet, a shower, and a sink. I used the bathroom and stuffed my bag with toliet paper. Then at the sink i washed my hands and stuck the soap in my bag. I took off my raggy shirt and shorts and took a shower.
Feeling hot water for the first time in seven years overjoyed me. To think the orphanage on Island 1 has these in every house really makes me want to go there even more, if thats possible.
I searched for clothes. All I found were oversized red shirts that said, "The Bakery" on them. Of course, I took them. Although I found nothing more, this had been one of my most successful runs.
I walked back to the orphanage. On my way a white van drove by. There was a woman inside, with a red hat on, she had nice clothes on, too. She saw me, waved, then stopped. I stopped. She got out and said, "Hi honey, don't be scared. I am here on a mission trip. Here, take these," she turned around and reached into the van, she pulled out a bag of clothes. Then she said, "Where do you live? Can I drive you?" I nodded yes.
I hopped inside. My father owned a car so it wasn't like I'd never been in one. She talked to me on the way.
"I am Marcey. I am from the USA. We raised a lot of money to come here and give you kids shoes, clothes, water, food, toys, and school supplies!" She said smiling. I smiled, "That's nice. We don't have much here." She frowned, "I know. Where do you live?" I looked around and saw the school. I thought. Then I said, "Miss Ripe's Orphanage." She looked at me. "I guess its your lucky day because that's where we are going to give our gifts to you all!" I grinned.
She dropped me off and I gave her back the clothes since she's coming to the orphanage to give them to us. She drove off, pretty loudly. I mean it was 2 or 3 in the morning and if Miss Ripe woke up, we'd be in so much trouble.
Our only access outside is in the courtyard. Me and the other kids new I needed a way out, so we built a rope out of clothes and I climbed down, but there is a gate around the whole place, that is locked inside and out. One day we dug a hole and all I have to do is climb in and it gets me to the other side. We have a rock to cover the hole. When i get back I move the rock and I make a bird noise that signals the other kids to throw down the rope and they pull me in.
