Faded Promises

Breaking the Routine

Uncovering the harsh truth...
With the unexpected reality, now known...
The life that we thought was real but... this place is a farm... and human children are raised as food for Demons. They'll kill us...

The morning after a departure was the same as always, children having fun and being noisy. A usual morning, as if nothing happened.

The familiar "Good morning" was said by everyone and smiles in their faces.

We were preparing the tables for breakfast; after everything was properly placed, everyone is seated we gave our thanks and began our meal. Then we went to the classroom and started to do our exams. It was regular everyday routine for the most of us. After that we went to our free time, I chose to sit near Ray and read the book I got from Mother yesterday. Even though I wanted to play and move, I knew I had to finish this book before doing anything else.

Looking closely at the house it's reminiscent of a cage. There were small signs of confinement; grated windows that was bolted with damaged screws, many delicious food that we can't get enough of, pristine white uniforms that shows dirt immediately, a strict schedule - All to monitor our quality as merchandise.
They were even risking it by giving us an education, which we didn't need. Also the way things were in the orphanage didn't match up with the world was, like not having a TV or radio but still being in the 21st century.
Our world was nothing but a miniature garden, a simulation for Demons to play us around with. A fence to keep us corralled and a wall to stop any thought of escape... just what kind of prison is this?
To all of the children, Mother is the only adult we have ever known... A mother with the worst secret no one wants to discover. How long has she led children to their deaths with that smile?
And even after that, why is she kind to us?

Looking up from my book Mother had rang the bell and was gathering everyone to come back in the house. It was nearing the end of our free time ad nearly the start of cleaning time before dinner. I got up and headed towards her.

"Is everyone here?" Mother asked us, looking around.

"Wait, two kids are missing." Gilda announced. "We're missing Naila and..." She was cut off by a loud voice.

"MOM!" Mark cried out, running to her.

"Mark! What happened?" Mother asked him, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"What should do I do? I lost Naila in the forest!" Mark sobbed tears streaming down his face, "I tried looking, but I couldn't find her!"

"The sun's about to set." Someone mumbled out, "It's going to get dark soon."

Mother looked at her pocket watch in earnest and then tucked it back to her pocket.

"Don't worry." Mother reassured, "Everyone, stay here. Understood?" She headed towards the forest.

One of my younger siblings came closer to me and I bent down to hug and soothe them.

After a few minutes we saw a figure coming back to the house.

"Mom!" Phil yelled, "Naila!" Mark shouted; they were running towards Mother with Naila in her arms.

"She got tired and fell asleep." Mother said, "Look, she's not hurt at all."

"Thank goodness!" Mark cried out. "I'm so sorry! Naila, I'm sorry!"

"That was too fast." I heard Norman say. "It's like Mom knew exactly where Naila was."

Thinking about it, Mother always finds us. Like she already knows that we were ... It wasn't a pocket watch.

"There are tracking devices." Emma mumbled. "It could be implanted somewhere inside our bodies."

If that's in our way, making an escape... would be harder if Mother finds out the plan. She showed it on purpose. She knows; someone was at the gate last night.
This was a declaration of war.
This was Mother's way of saying that whoever it was, she won't let them escape.
A reality of this place, a farm to Demons, we are food.
Mother always watches, loved by everyone and will guide us to our deaths... the reaper.

--+--

No more of our days spent in bliss, while our enemy waits to strike...
Mother wasn't human, her love was fake, her kindness was too, it was just an act to feed us to the Demons.

"She's not our mother, and she's not even human like us." Norman growled out, "Mom's a demon!"

-----

It would take two months before the next shipping, until then we need to find a way to escape. It sounds impossible with the transmitters in our body. Going to such lengths for "high-quality meat"... what kind of world is this?
They determine our rank by age and scores. The usual age was 6 and no matter the score we get shipped out at 12. And scores are the order of how we get shipped out; the higher our score, the longer we get to stay at the orphanage.
To live a life of ignorance wasn't intended, but it was essential in this place.

I saw Emma going to where the children's art work was displayed. She put her hand where Conny's used to be. Mother soon came along and reached toward Emma caressing her in the same manner she does with everyone. They exchanged a few words and then Emma hugged Mother.

Mother was for sure a clever woman. She examines us without giving anything away, anyone would believe in everything she does. Unwavering and determined. As if she has done this repeatedly like a routine.

I saw Ray coming up at the other end of the hallway holding a bell and ringing it.

"Dinner." Ray said, "...is ready, Mom."

The children all started to make their way to the dining hall and I followed them.

"I'll be right there." Mother smiled.

When everyone was seated we started to eat. After our meal I started to clean the tables, and then going towards my room I saw Norman and Emma in front of the storage room...

The storage room was a place that anyone rarely goes to.

Anyone will do anything to survive... the true question is, how far will one go?
The structured lives we have lived were breaking apart. As everything fall into their places, the veil is removed from our eyes.
The plan is set into motion... just how long until they finally try to get more of us into the escape plan?
This is the start of a battle and the one who survives prevails.
To fight against the darkness towards hope!

~~~~~

Lilian

No. 94194

Age: 11

Height: 4'7 1/2" 141

~~~~~