~Chapter 2~
I hated outhouses.
I think that Ms. Olga knew that too, because that is where she shoved me after she found me digging through her, "personal belongings" that belonged to other people.
The air was damp, stuffy, and reeked horribly. It was dark, but there was a small window at the top corner that let in just enough moonlight to reveal bugs crawling across the walls.
I was not afraid of bugs, as I often boasted to the other kids, but that did not make the experience any more enjoyable.
I sat down in despair. I had been so close! So close to learning everything that I had ever wanted to know. So close to being happy. So close to... everything! Why was life so difficult?
My one accomplishment had been getting Taylor's files. I imagined her face lighting up when I showed them to her. The thought comforted me.
A few more hours went by. I entertained myself by singing, talking to myself, and thinking. I had thought about looking at Taylor's files multiple times, but that wouldn't be right. They were hers. After an eternity someone knocked on the door.
"Could ya hurry it up in there?"
The voice sounded like it was from a girl, but I'd never heard it before. Not like I'm popular or anything and know everyone, the orphanage was really small so everyone there knew everyone.
"I'm locked in," I said.
"No kidding? Well, um, I have a lock picking kit back in the woods let me go get it and I'll be right back," She said.
"Uh, okay," I said, thinking about why she would have a lock picking kit in the woods. After a few minutes she returned. I heard the lock on the door jingle and then pop. The door was open, I was free!
I looked at my rescuer. It was a girl about 13 like me but she looked tense. She was tall and had long wavy black hair. Her eyes shone a bright green and she had on a red jacket with blue blue jeans.
"What's your name kid?" She asked, sounding nervous,
"Amy, and I'm not a kid, I'm 13. What's your name?" I asked.
"Coral, how long have you been in that outhouse Amy?"
"Since around midnight, I got caught trying to find my files." I saw her face relax.
She went from tense to understanding. She glanced at her watch.
"Well you've been in there for a while, it's six twenty five right now. Come on I know a stream down there you can wash in," Coral said. I must have stank.
We walked through the woods for a while. It looked so beautiful. The early morning light shone through the trees, the birds chirped, frogs croaked, everything seemed alive.
I wanted to stay there forever to just listen and relax.
When we got to the stream I kneeled down by the water and splashed it in my face. It felt so cool and refreshing on my dirty, clammy skin. (We only got to bathe four times a week.) I walked in with my cloths on and everything, and let my whole body relax. It felt so good to be out of that cramped, smelly dungeon.
Coral sat on a rock watching me. You could tell she was thinking hard about something, I wondered what. Suddenly she opened her mouth to speak.
"So Amy, I've been thinking, how would you like to come live with me? You look like the adventurous type and, to be honest it gets kind of lonely all alone by yourself all the time."
This sudden invite surprised me. I pondered this for a few minutes. The little alarm in my head kept going "Stranger Danger, Stranger Danger!" but for some reason I trusted this mysterious girl.. I felt as if I could trust her with my life, like I knew her my whole life.
"Um, sure where are we going?" I said confidently.
"I don't know. I just travel everywhere. Free as a bird. There's no adults, responsibilities, not anything except for freedom." She said.
This sounded better and better.
Then I remembered the very important detail. The fact that had gotten me put into the outhouse in the first place. I still needed to get my files and give Taylor her's.
"Thanks, I really like the idea Coral, but I have to get my files. Those are my first priority," I stated.
She looked disappointed at first then her face lit up like she had gotten an idea.
"Okay," she said, "I'll tell ya what. I'm going to be here for the next few days visiting, that should give you plenty of time for you to get your files." I felt a rush of relief. I really didn't want that offer to go away.
"Sure, where will I meet you?"
"Here will be good, come visit me 'kay? I like talking and usually the person I talk to, myself, is not a good listener"
"Okay, bye,"I said. She disappeared into the forest. Now what? I thought.
I couldn't go inside, it was too early. Also I was supposed to be in the smelly torture room, NO WAY was I going in there again. Then I remembered when my friend Megan got caught trying to prank Ms. Olga and was sent to the outhouse.
She escaped and went back inside, Ms. Olga didn't even notice her walking through the halls. I missed Meg a lot, she had been my best friend, we had been through everything together.
But, she got adopted and hopefully by a good family. I started walking towards the orphanage before my eyes started tearing up.
Since it was only 7-ish no one was awake yet. I snuck into my bedroom and climbed into bed. For once, it actually felt good to lie in the dollar store bed as I let my eyes close and relaxed.
"BEEP-BEEP BEEP-BEEP"
Stupid alarm. I guess it's time to see if Ms. Olga notices.
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I knnnnnnnnnooooooeeeeewwwww short chapter, wateva! Anyway don't forget to comment, vote, rate, all that jazz, I love u guys bbbbyyyyyyeeeee!!!!
