Blood Red (Adopted by Cannibals)

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I giggled loudly as Jane and I made our way through the park. I waved goodbye to my one and only friend as we neared my home. I quickly darted up the driveway glancing back one more before walking inside, ready to be yelled at considering how late I am for dinner. I have an excuse already waiting for me to use, one that we had come up the moment we realised how late we were. Excuse: her dog ran off.

"I'm home!" I yelled ready to be bombarded by two worried faces and many questions, however, this didn't happen. I quickly took my coat off and walked through the hallway and over to the dining room where I'm sure they will be waiting for me. I as made my way through the kitchen I noticed one of my aunts' good chairs on the floor. I wonder if they had a fight maybe. Since I started living with them, I've never heard them fight but maybe today was different? I called out again but again I received no reply, the house remained silent. I walked through the kitchen and over to the dining room where I was hoping to find them with dinner ready. Nevertheless, when I did get there it was nothing like how I imagined it. A loud scream escaped my throat at the sight before me. On the grey, carpet lay my aunt and uncle. Dark liquid surrounding them as their wide empty eyes stared up at me. Their throats slit, and knife wounds were visibly around my uncles' stomach. I screamed and screamed hoping it all the be a dream.

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With a scream, I jolted upright. I thrashed around feeling a heavyweight restricting my movement. My heart pounds loudly in my chest as I continue screaming as I fought whatever it was off me. My eyes remained closed as I continued screaming afraid of what will surely be in front of me. I could feel a hand touching my shoulder and a soft smooth voice gently talking to me. I felt another hand on my back gently rubbing, calming me down. My screaming soon silenced and I turned into a sobbing mess. I could understand her words now, hear her voice. I recognised the voice, the same voice I have heard so many times before. I turned around and pushed myself into Ann's arms. She is one of the only caretakers who cares about me in this orphanage. Most of them can't wait for me to get out or are afraid of my episodes. I have nightmares like this a lot, still, this isn't just a nightmare, it's a memory. A memory of only a year ago. The memory of when my last living relatives were killed, waiting for me to find their bodies. I was left alone in the world, the sole survivor of the Wilson family.

"Darling, how are you feeling, you're looking all pale?" She questioned as the pulled me from her body studying me. She is the only one who is ever able to calm me down. Tears continued to stream down my cheeks as I sobbed into her shoulder. I wrapped my arms tightly around her as I continued to cry while she continued to whisper soothing words in my ear. Ann was the only one brave enough to care for me. Most of the other caretakers are afraid of me, or more specifically of the one after me. It is not an incident that my whole family was killed. Three years ago my parents were killed. Fortunately, my thirteen-year-old self was saved from seeing such a sight as my neighbours had heard their screams and called the cops. They were the ones who found their bodies. Their deaths were only the start and over the course of the three years, each and every last family member from both my Mum's and my Dad's side were killed. I had moved in with my aunt and uncle who were just as afraid as I was. And then a year ago they too were killed.

After I found my aunt and uncle murdered in cold blood my one last friend left me. I understood Janes reasoning, but it hurt me more than I could have been prepared for. I was truly alone now with no one to care for me. Being only fifteen I was sent to the orphanage. Many of the volunteers and caretakers at the orphanage stay away from me for the exact same reason and would even try to keep many of the kids away too. I'm happy though that they keep the kids away, I don't want them being hurt or worse, killed, because of me. I could never forgive myself if they were killed. There is just one thing that I don't understand. If it was the killers plan to wipe out the entire Wilson family, he (or she) missed me out. I don't want to die but the waiting is worse. I don't even know if they want me dead or alive. Maybe they are stalking me and are waiting for the perfect moment to take the girl no one wants. The girl everyone is afraid of being around. They all left me to fend for myself, giving me my own room, just a precaution so the other kids would remain safe. Everyone stays away from me, all except for Ann.

Ann is in her late forties, something my mother would have been too if she was still alive. She has a loving husband who works on the house most of the time and her two sons both helping their dad out. From what I have gathered they are a little on the poorer side, but they are happy and that is what counts. Her sons are eighteen and twenty both still living at home. She often tells me stories about her family and sometimes I am even a little jealous of that and at the same time guilty. I feel guilty because she is being kind to me. She is looking after me while the killer could strike at any time and kill her two. Maybe they haven't realised they forgot to kill me but I'm sure they will find out soon. Or maybe the stalker is watching my every move with Ann waiting for the opportune moment to kill her and take me. I don't think I could survive that. I don't want anyone to be killed because of me. I hide both feeling though. I let the guilt and jealousy eat away at me as I listen to her stories while I smile politely hiding my real thoughts from her.

"Nova, honey, how about you get dressed and come down to the kitchen. You can help prepare breakfast for the children." I nodded my head slightly as I continued to hold on to her. I can feel her trying to pry my hands off her and succeeding. I have little to no strength, so it is easy for her to get me off her. I watched her walk out of my room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Since I am the oldest in the orphanage I often help, either by making breakfast or helping the children getting ready for school. Many of the caretakers try to keep away by giving me other tasks to do such as cleaning or fixing clothing or the washing. There was enough for me to do the only problem was that I hated all those tasks. I hated being alone and excluded but I can't say I blame them for doing so. They want the kids and themselves safe from me and the killer. I do have days where I keep my mind away from the murders, where I don't worry about it but other days, I have complete meltdowns where I believe everyone wants to kill me and Ann because she cares for me. Ann is really the only one who looks after me. She sometimes even stays nights on the days I struggle to most. She comforts me when I need it and I appreciate it.

I slowly detangle myself from my blankets and make my way over to my closet. Grabbing my outfit of the day I quickly get changed. I throw on a pair of shorts and a dark purple T-shirt before making my way downstairs. Walking through the dining room and can already see several kids playing and drawing. They all look up as I walk past. To many of them, I act a little like a ghost, staying away from them the same way they stay away from me. The only reason, of course, being the caretakers who keep me a good distance away when possible. They continue to stare as I make my way into the kitchen where I quickly spotted Ann setting the table. I got to work helping her and keeping my eyes down. I can feel the caretakers staring at me as I make my way around however none of them say anything as Ann continues her work. She has made quite the reputation and I've even heard many conversations about Ann and I, like for example why doesn't she adopt me when she cares so much for me. I have wondered the same, but I fear for her life and that of her families. I don't want her adopting me if it means risking everything she knows. I feel guilty enough just being around her while she is at work.

Once the table was set and the children each took their places breakfast was served. It is nothing to fancy but just like always it looks good and I am grateful.

"Darling, there is someone where who wants to meet you. You don't have to it is up to you." Ann stated while she placed my plate before me. I stared up at her in surprise unsure what to say. Could this person want to adopt me or just talk to me? How could someone possibly want me? I am dangerous to be around. I already worry for Ann. I don't want Ann nor this mystery person to be killed.

"No, I have no choice." If there is a chance for some to adopt me, I want to take it, no matter how afraid I am. I will do my best to keep them safe. "I want to meet them." I continued after a small pause. The dining room is filled with loud chatter while Ann and I remained quiet staring at each other. I could see the worry in her eyes, but I want to take this risk. I want to meet them and see who they are, what they're like. What if there was a chance for me to have a family again, to have a normal life. Maybe this is the new start I have been waiting for since my last remaining family was killed. Maybe I can have an actual life without worrying for mine and others safety. I don't want to have to spend the rest of my life hiding away in fear. I'm only sixteen, I still have my whole life ahead of me. So, I have no choice but to meet them and see if I have this chance at freedom this thing people call life. That is all I want and all I will ever need. I don't want to worry about certain death every day. I don't want to wake up to nightmares in the middle of the night. I know that if I leave, I will miss Ann but maybe it will be for the better, she won't have to worry about being killed and her family doesn't need to worry about her. Ann has been like a mother figure to me and I will be sad to lose her but she'll be safe, that is all I want. That is all I have ever wanted.