In the Depths Below

Prologue | Childhood Memories

Year 2049
E V E L Y N N
Word Count: 5024

Yawning, I sit up and give a big stretch from the slight, lumpy and uncomfortable bed.

"Evelyn Vogel! Get down here, immediately!" A deafening screech from the floor below makes me flinch and fear pricks my veins.

I quickly jump out of bed and dash out of my tight fitted room. I bound around the corner and hurtle down the wooden stairs that splinter the bare soles of my feet.

If I don't obey Sister Absinthe, things could go wrong very quickly.

My little foot gets caught behind the other as I turn to zoom around the corner to the small lounge where Sister Absinthe has called me from.

I topple down the last remaining steps before dragging myself up and hurrying on, some of the other children laughing at me as I go.

I take a deep breath as I stand outside the door to the small lounge before opening the door collectively and calmly, nothing like how I had frantically rushed to get here.

"Yes Sister Absinthe?" I ask in a composed voice.

Sister Absinthe had a steely look flash through her beady little eyes before giving me a fake smile and gestures for me to enter the room.

My bare feet itch from the wiry carpet but I bare it and walk to the centre of the room.

"Eve this is Mr and Mrs Giorgio, they were wondering if they could get to know you for a little while." Sister Absinthe speaks to me with a voice like slugs seasoned with a sprinkle of sugar, but if you took a bite the sugar had deceived you and was actually salt.

I nod whilst smoothing my little, white sleeping dress before give the Giorgio's a shy smile.

Mr and Mrs Giorgio looked at me with their eyes filled with pity and sympathy.

"I will give you around ten minuets, is that sufficient enough David?" Sister Absinthe asks as she turns to leave the room.

I knew it didn't matter what David thought, she would have it her way.

"Yes thank you Sister Absinthe," Mr Giorgio replies and waves for her to leave.

If only he knew.

I could see Sister Absinthe seethe and I could feel her rage boil but I pretended I didn't noice it. Nobody dismissed Sister Absinthe, never mind swatted her presence away like a fly.

"Hello Eve," Mrs Giorgio says softly and invites me to sit next to her, completely oblivious to Sister Absinthe's rage. Sister leaves with a bang as she slams the door.

She would of made a statement about how respect was her highest policy and how they would have to leave. However, Sister Absinthe doesn't like me and wants me gone from her 'care' as soon as possible.

I slowly and cautiously pad over to Mrs Giorgio, silently praying the little, nervous girl facade is working. I can't stand it here in this orphanage anymore.

"H-Hello, Mrs and Mr Giorgio." I purposely stutter and give them a slight smile.

"We are looking for a little girl to adopt and you look very nice, would you like to tell us something about you?" Mr Giorgio- or David- asks me.