Home....

I wish I could just leave this place....

  "It's 10:00 pm already?" I said to myself in wonder. Usually I sleep before 10:00 pm but when I stay up late..something's bothering me and the case is..my thoughts were bothering me. "I can't sleep!" I said to myself. This orphanage was my second home. I wanted to see my parents again. I wanted to leave here but I could'nt. 

   I started living here ever since I got separated from my parents. I could still recall every detail. My parents were taking me to the mall that day. We went shopping then something happened - something big happened. A riot started! The people ran in different directions, afraid that they may get involved or something. They kept shoving and pushing their way around. I got pushed by one man. I landed on my back but it didn't hurt. I stood up but I lost sight of my parents. I don't have my parent's number so I could'nt call them. I also can't inform the police that time because they were too busy taking care of the riot. I tried to find them but I just couldn't. I ended up sleeping on he streets. Then the next day I tried to find my way home but I could'nt find my way back home. I started crying. I was crying and moaning and..... someone patted me on the shoulder. I saw an old woman about the age of 60. She has white hair and blue eyes like the sapphire ring my mother used to wear. She wore a coat and long pants and sandals. She still looked strong even though she's old now.

   "Are you lost?" She asked.

   "Yes ma'am..."  

   "Can you remember where you live?"

   "No ma'am..."

   "Do you have your parent's number or something?"

   "No...." I answered.

   Then my tears started to fall again and I found out I was crying again. She asked me to stop crying but I could'nt. I miss my home. I miss my parents.

   "Stop crying." She said in a mild tone. " You know I'll help you get to your parents back."

   I hesitated. My mom would always say that I should not talk to strangers. Yet I'm talking to a total stranger and...and...she does'nt look like a bad stranger.

   "My name's Agnes." She said. "But you can call me Aunt Agnes."

   "Aunt Agnes?" I asked. 

   "Yes." She said as she wiped some of my tears. "What's your name then?"

   "My name's.....Roger, ma'am." I answered.

   "Please, call me Aunt Agnes." She insisted.

   "Aunt Agnes..." I repeated.

   She smiled and said. " You're a good kid. I can feel that."

   I looked and said "Thank you....Aunt Agnes." 

   "Come." She said. 

   We walked to some place I can't even figure out. As we walked Aunt Agnes told stories about her work at the orphanage. She said she was a caretaker there. She told me of the kids she took care of and how she taught many kids values and stuff. She said she will be taking me there since I don't even know where I live. She said the police would also have a hard time asking me questions too because I really have no information to tell them. 

   After a while, we approached a large building. It was made of bricks - red bricks that made it look like a school house. A red brick wall covered the entire place. There was also a arch in the entrance with the sign " VIRENTEM  POLLEX ORPHANOTROPIO." 

   "What does that sign mean?" I asked her . " What language is that?"

   "Oh that? That means Green Thumb Orphanage." She answered. "It's in Latin. A European made this establishment." 

   We entered the orphanage. I saw a large garden as we entered the archway. The garden was huge. Many plants grew there. There were pansies, daisies, sunflowers growing everywhere. There were also trees growing in places that made the place looks like an enchanted forest. There was also a small hedge that forms the path to the large wooden door that I figured as the entrance to the large red building. So that's why they call it the " Green Thumb Orphanage." 

   "Lovely isn't it?" She said with a smile. 

   "Yes." I answered.

   "Good." She said. "You'll be living here for a while until we find your parents. I'll be your caretaker here. I'll teach you many things about planting."

   "Um.." I said as I started to cry. " I want my parents!"

   "Roger.." She started. "..we'll find your parents. I promise. But in the meantime you'll be living here. I don't want you to sleep in the streets and die of hunger. You'll be fine here. I promise."

   "You will?.." I whimpered.

   "Yes." She said as she hugged me. " I'll treat you like my own son.."

   I hugged back.

   She held my hand and together we went inside the big red building.

   I sat upright in my bed. I'm thinking if I want to leave the orphanage or not. Every time I recall those memories, my brain gets messed up! I can't even decide what to do. But I really wanna see my parents again. I bet their looking for me right now. 

     "Think Roger think!" I said to myself. "Think! My brains just messed up,that's all."

   I glanced at the clock and saw the time, "11:00 pm". Time to sleep! I'm really gonna be late tomorrow. If Aunt Agnes finds out that I was up until 11:00, she'll never cook me beef steak again! That's my favorite food. Time to sleep then. My minds all worked up tonight.

   I leaned down and prayed then I fell asleep afterwards.

                                                                                                                                                     (End of Part 1.....)