Forest of Lies

Chapter 1

   I sat up in bed, the snoring of other kids surrounded me. Today I am 11. But it will be just like any other day, cleaning the halls of the orphanage, watching other kids say farewell, while me and my brother are still stuck in this hopeless place. 

   The bed next to mine belongs to my brother, Ethan, who turned 11 a week ago. I was lucky to find a pencil discarded in a trash bin, so I got paper from the recycling can to make him a card. The pencil was his gift. I wonder  if he will do the same for me...

   It's still dark out, so it must be around 6:00. Careful not to disturb the creaking floorboards of the massive room the orphans sleep in, I look under my bed, and pull out an old shoe box. Inside, is my most treasured possession: a silver oval-shaped locket. It was my mother's, and was left to me. The only reason I still had it was because Annie, or Ann as she preferred to be called, had slipped me it at lunch, and told me to keep it somewhere safe. Out of all the people that worked at the orphanage, she was the nicest. 

  Ann always flashed smiles at kids, or participated in their games in free-time. I never had the chance to get to know my parents, but Ann 'made up' wonderful stories about them. I begin to play with the thin sheet on the bed, witch was almost see-through is you looked closely enough. 

  I watch the rays of sunlight creep through the windows, letting the hours pass. I hear heavy, careless footsteps on the stairs. Mrs.Kane. The cruel, strict woman that hated children. Quickly, but careful as i can, I slip the locket back inside the shoe box, and back under my bed. But I'm not quick enough to look like I'm sleeping.

  Mrs.Kane opens the door, and sees me sitting strait up in bed. She doesn't bother to wake everyone up, the sound of her stomping boots as she makes her way over to me is enough. I can see the wrinkles on her face now, and her distinct-but-thin-chin, and graying, unhealthy-looking hair as she stares me in the face with a gaze of pure madness. Her face in contorted in anger. I know I'm not going to get out of this.

  She doesn't say a thing, but everyone knows whats coming. I get out of bed, still in my nightgown, and follow her out of the room, down the halls that have their paint peeling, and into a gloomy looking office. 

  I am her most hated. And that ensures a severe punishment. Her madened gaze has not left her face, she has always loved punishing me and my brother. 

 "Now, Mrs.Hawk, why were you awake in bed?" She says, relishing every word.

  I already know the answer. "I couldn't sleep." Wich wasn't true.

  "I know there is more a reason than that, Mrs.Hawk. Don't lie to me. You came here on my doorstep, you WILL abide my rules or there will be consequences."

  "Yes ma'am." 

  "And do you know what consequences there will be this time?"

  "No, ma'am" I force the words out.

    "I will search you're bed, and any hidden objects will be destroyed." I see the smile creep along her face, she knows. 

   I can't stop myself, "No! Anything but that!"

   "I can do WHATEVER I please!" Mrs.Kane roars

   I feel my face turn red, and before I know it, a coat soars from a coat rack, and drapes itself over Mrs.Kane's head. My palms sweat uncontrollably. The coat seems to be alive, like a giant hand it pulls Mrs.Kane back and forth, while she screams at me.

   "YOU!COME BACK HERE!" She yells as I bolt from the room.

  But I don't listen. My scarlet hair whips in the wind, my striking blue eyes wide with fear, but my face red with both anger and determination. I don't know what just happened, but I don't waste time. 

 I burst through the door of the orphans room, and I get a lot of weird looks.

I burst through the door of the orphans room, and I get a lot of weird looks. I stop in front of my brother, who's black hair is shining in the morning sun. His eyes, like mine, are a brilliant blue. His expression is full of confusion. 

There is only one way out of this. I think.

   I don't hesitate, "We need to leave, now." I pull the shoe box from under my bed, and clip the locket around my neck. From under my pillow, I pull a black sweatshirt, and a pair of jeans, cut with scissors to be shorts. I know what they are thinking, how did she get those? But I'm no stranger to scavenging. 

 Ethan looks like someone slapped him in the face, but takes a change of close and follows me in my mad dash into the halls, and out the door.

I have fled the orphanage.