Orphan

Chapter 4 - Rochella

"Rochella, she comes every year. She's gorgeous! If I could just dress like her. Look!" She pointed towards a pretty young lady with two tall black-suited men with shades that hid their eyes away., She had long luscious, shiny black hair that flowed down her shoulders, but what was she wearing? A dress that looked like it was strangling her. It showed way too much skin, even my pillowcase looked warmer."Isn't she cold?" "Idiot. That is what we adults call sexy. You'll understand when you grow older." "Whatever. With a dress with that much bling, bling. I'm sure she can buy something warmer." "Why did I take you with me again?" she gave me a disappointed look and turned back to the lady. "Let's go, the sooner I meet her, the sooner I get to go.""And why is that?""Because I am like cute, tall, and pretty. Just look at me, aren't I better looking than her?" I wanted to puke what kind of person praises themselves like that?I followed Classidy as she walked forward, she was definitely in the zone, her head was held high, swinging her waist left and right as if she owns the place. It was almost hypnotising."AAAH"Where did that scream come from? I edged out from behind Classidy's leg.Rochella was holding what looked like a feather duster, not on the stick side, but the feather side. A skinny girl had her knees kiss the floor as if begging her to stop, her chest arced over Rochella's knees. She raised her arm into the sky and whipped the stick into the girl's bum, again and again. I had never seen anything this sickening, she even had a smile on her face, as if she was enjoying it. I couldn't bear to watch it, but I did. I couldn't believe that no one was doing anything. There was practically a line of girls, all waiting in line, but they all just looked at the floor, and turned a blind eye to what was happening. It happened again and again. Each time the girl screamed, I felt sick, I clenched my fist together, holding it tighter each time, as if hoping that it would stop, but it didn't. I could feel my blood boil. "Stop!" I pause in disbelief at myself. "Stop hitting her! I don't care who you are, or where you have come from. But no one gets to hit the children!"I couldn't believe I just said that to her, everyone was looking at me with eyes filled shock, I had actually stepped out and told this lady to stop what she was doing. Even I was surprised. She was looking straight at me, what was she going to do? She dropped the stick and pushed the girl off her, she fell to the floor with another grunt, and Rochella got up.She was coming from me, I must have angered her, embarrassed her.What was she going to do with me?I stepped back, hiding myself behind Classidy."What is your name girl?""None of your business." "Tell me."Her cold black eyes stared at me unmoving, I was not going to give her what she wanted. "I'll give you one more chance. Tell me or..."As if she was daring me to say no, she bent over to the floor and picked up the stick with her right hand and waved at the girl still on the floor to come over. Don't do it! But it was no use, she moved slowly towards Rochella. "You see, I always get what I want. You can either tell me..." she lifted the stick "I'll force it out of you."Her hand moved in a blur and... "I'm so sorry for Evelyn's outburst earlier. She just doesn't know her place. You can always do whatever you want. I'm her friend Classidy, it's a pleasure to meet you."I couldn't believe it. Classidy, my friend had just told the lady my name, I felt so betrayed, I felt that I was cheated on in so many levels. "Class...""Thank you, young lady, but let me speak with Evelyn first, do you mind moving aside?" As if one betrayal was not enough, she actually slid to my right, giving me up straight to the lady. "Traitor!"And even nudged me from behind."Why did you tell me to stop?""You cannot hit us, even if we are orphans, we are people too. How would you feel if someone was to hit you? What gives you the right to hit us?""Well for starters, she volunteered. Besides, I run a business, and I need to check if my potential employee's meet my clients need.""What? By hitting them?"She was like a rose, slim, elegant and pretty but she had thorns. Hundreds of them, she must be a devil. She had no remorse, no empathy or sympathy for others and she only cared about what she wanted."Just have to make sure my clients are happy. That is all. Why don't you scream? I think you would be very good at it.""How about no, Classidy I am leaving. I need to return back to the..."A strong hand grabbed onto my left shoulder, and then my arm, I tried to pull away from the person that was holding me, but just as I turned and shifted my weight to the right, another hand grabbed onto my other shoulder, and I couldn't move.I turned to Classidy to ask for help, but she was stepping back away from me, this was not good. I could not move at all. The men that were on her side were now holding onto me tight. I tried to swing arms at them, and kick with my legs but it was no use, they didn't even blink on impact. I needed to get out, I had to get out of their grip, but just what could I do?She was coming closer, each step she took, her shoes bent left and right, as if they were not going to hold her, her hand moved closer, her fingers touched my face, then her palms, it was cold, it sent chills down my spine, as she bought her face in front of me.She was so close I could feel her warm breath, tickling against my cheeks."You see, you only get to go if I say so.""I am not going to join you and I am not going to scream for you either.""A fighter aye, we will see. I always get the last laugh. Don't let her move."The men's hand tightened around my arms, and I was frozen in the middle of them, Classidy was standing at the back with all the other girls that had lined up. They were not going to save me.Rochella lifted her arm and in a flash, the stick snapped and connected to face, excruciating pain exploded, every single cell in me wanted to scream, but I clenched my teeth together, staring straight back at her. Never have I ever seen such a terrifying lady, and again the stick slapped against my face, I grunted but I did not scream, I could feel my warm blood trickling out, oozing down the edge of my face, the stick was now covered in a thick dark crimson colour. "I said, scream girl!"She was furious, I could see it in her bloodshot eyes, but I continued to stubbornly hold on, the stick came again and again, faster, and harder each time. I was not going to last much longer, my vision was starting to blur, a haze of white and red and filled with bright stars, when I felt the grip to my right loosen.The stick came down again, my hand shot forward, grabbing it and holding it in mid-air. Rochella tried to pull it but I was using every bit of strength I still had to hold onto it."Idiot, why did you let her...""No matter how many times you hit me, the answer is going to be the same, I am not screaming."The grip returned, as she yanked the stick out of my hands. This time I wasn't sure if I still had the energy to fight her. I felt completely powerless, as she came closer, her face was practically right next to me."I like your style kid, let her go."I ran as fast as I could away from the lady. I have never been so scared. She could have ended me right there. I didn't know where I was going, I was trembling from head to toe. My heart thumping hard against my chest. "There you are." It was the lady. Lisa. "What happened to you girl? Let me clean that up for you." "I was just hit by a crazy lady..."Her hands pressed a tissue against my face it stung and burned but it was still better than being hit by Rochella. I told them everything, and they patiently listened until everything was out. "How do you feel right now? Here wait for me, I'll get you a cup of water to calm down.""Can I follow you?""You will be okay.""Here have this, all girls love chocolate."I looked at the small brown cube, it was soft, and as I held it, it started to melt, leaving marks on my fingers. I didn't know what it was, I had never seen it before and didn't know what to do with it. "Silly, put it in your mouth and eat it. Must be your first-time aye?"I did as I was told. I didn't know what it was but once it was in my mouth, it was so amazing, it was comforting, it was like there were fireworks blown in every direction of my mouth. It was sweet, I never tasted anything so good before. And then there was nothing. I just stood there dumbfounded and wishing it could have lasted longer."How are you feeling my dear?""I feel much better.""That's lovely dear, did you want some more?""If you don't mind. I would love more but I don't have anything to trade with you for it though.""That's alright, I have plenty to share.""Thank you so much, I really appreciate it and if I see you again one day, I will definitely pay you back for it." I said in delight as she handed me the second chocolate that instead of eating it right away, I left it in the cup so it won't melt right away in my hands. I need to save it and have it later when I do something extravagant or when I feel really happy about myself. "Were you looking for me?""Yes, we were dear. We thought that someone else had managed to take you away and was just about to leave when you bumped into me.""Why were you looking for me? Was it to give me the chocolate?""Well, we did make a promise. Do you still want to come with us?"I didn't know how to respond, a side of me really wanted to say yes, but another side of me felt like I was going to leave my home, my life and everything about me behind.All my friends are here, Maria was here. What would life be outside, how different would it be? Seeing me there lost for words. Lisa patted my head and gave it a gentle rub. It felt so similar to Maria's, it made me feel like it was her. And then I remembered what Maria had said earlier today. She said that I was young, that I had plenty of opportunities out there, she wanted me to take the chance and leave if I was given the opportunity. I had retorted saying that if the people who were interested didn't like me the way I was then there was no point in me going with them. And Lisa and Giovanni really did like me for who I was."It's okay Evelyn, take you time. We are happy to wait for you. It is after all a big decision. If you choose to come with us, you do not know what your future holds. But if you stay, you could also potentially regret your decision today. We will respect your decision."I wanted to ask Maria, ask Jason, Kirsty or even Clark. But I knew they would all say yes as this was one of those rare chances to make a change in my life. So, after taking a deep breath, I knew what had to happen. "Yes, I'd love to come with you." "Lovely, I'll sign the paperwork." "Good stuff champ, I'll come back once I am done. Do you have a last name so I don't get it wrong?" "I'm the only Evelyn at this orphanage." He walked off. "Do I need to go with him? I haven't done this before so I wouldn't know" "It's fine dear" "Lisa, what should I do now? Can I visit one of my elder sisters? Her name is Maria, she looked after me and I really want to tell her the good news. I am going to definitely miss her and this place.""That is fine Evelyn, if I were you, I would go for a long walk around here. Remember your past, the things you loved, the places you enjoyed visiting, and the many happy memories of this place.""As an individual, it is important that we always remember who we are, where we came from, no matter how different the future may be. We all have a past, and it is important that we keep that deep in our memory." "I'll wait for you here. Take your time."Lisa is so nice and understanding. I am glad I am choosing to leave with her. She gives me the same feelings that Maria gives me. It's as if she has been looking after me for a long time. I feel so comfortable with her, it's as if she understands me.