Parallel

Chapter I: Eighteen

Auralea

"Auralea...Auralea...wake up."

I groan at the sudden interruption and pull my blanket over my head to shield me from the beaming sunlight. The blanket is ripped from my grasp. Braxton is looming over my bed with a look of discontent.

"Up you get. You have a long day ahead of you. I expect you down in 15 minutes." He puts a banana nut muffin down on my bedside table, just as he does every year today, and starts off toward the door. As he reaches the frame of the door, he turns to face me with a solemn look on his face. "Happy birthday Auralea." And then he's gone.

I huff as I sit up and throw my legs over the edge of the bed. I grab the muffin and frown as I eat it. I am most certainly not a morning person but I'd do anything for Braxton. He is a rather large and intimidating man. He looks to be at least 6'2 and has an athletic build from all the work he does around the orphanage. Despite being in his fifties, he is very much in shape.

Braxton is the closest thing I have to a father. He has been taking care of me since I arrived as a baby, according to the bishop. I owed everything to him and I plan to pay him back whenever I become able.

After I devoured the large muffin Braxton left for me, I quickly washed up and pulled on a chemise, a corset and finally my burgundy kirtle.

I rushed down the stairs and met Braxton and Bishop O'Doylei in the kitchen. The bishop was the first to speak.

"As you know, New Dawn Orphanage does not house adults unless they can be of use to the functioning of the orphanage. Once you reach the age of 18, you are to find a job and leave to make room for children in need."

I nod and begin to fiddle with my sleeve. I was to leave by the end of the night. I fully understood that.

"Braxton has taken the liberty of finding you work and a place to live. Your escort should be here by mid afternoon. The orphanage can no longer afford to give you the necessary dosing for your condition but the physician recommends buying it as soon as your income will allow you to do so. May God be with you, child."

Bishop O'Doylei was a kind man but he tended to hide his emotions. His profession didn't allow him to feel sympathy. It would be too overwhelming with the amount of sad stories he hears everyday. Just him blessing me was enough to show me that he cared for each child in his orphanage deeply.

I choked back the tears threatening to make their way to the surface and waited for Braxton to speak. How could I leave when this is the only home I've ever known? How could I possibly survive without the bishop and Braxton and the children?

This time, Braxton spoke."From this moment on, you are a chambermaid at the castle. Your job will be to keep the rooms in the castle presentable. It will be hard work but nothing you are not familiar with. Always refer to the royals as 'your highness' or 'your majesty'. Be sure to bow and never make eye contact. Your identification papers are in your luggage. You will be safe and paid and I will write to you whenever I am able."

A tear rolled down my cheek but I was quick to wipe it away and hug Braxton tightly. There was a heavy silence between us. I was no longer the infant he looked after. Today I was a woman and today I was leaving. I slowly pulled away and left an affectionate kiss on his cheek. I would miss him and the children and even the bishop.

"Braxton...thank you for everything you have done for me. You are my family and my guardian angel. I don't know how I can ever repay you. I will miss you dearly."

Sadness danced across his features. "My sweet Auralea, I am here for you and with you always. I'm just a letter away." He sobers up and nudges me towards the rickety and rusted backdoor. "Go on and say your goodbyes before your escort arrives." I nod obediently and make my way to the backyard where the children are playing.

Cries of glee and sounds of contentment echo in the early morning air. I run over to the middle of the yard where a ball is being tossed around. "You all started without me?!" I fake a look of hurt and grab the ball, dashing to the bordering woods. I hear their footsteps thundering behind me as I duck behind a tree. I cover my mouth to stifle a giggle as they rush past my obvious hiding spot.

Just as I make a move to follow them deeper into the woods, I feel a tug on my skirt. I look down to find Lu's chubby hands pulling on my skirt. She was almost three and as curious as can be. Her pigtails jutted out the sides of her head and her eyes were sparkling with wonder. Her yellow dress and ribbons were as bright as her personality. "Aura, why are we hiding?"

I dropped the ball to scoop her up into my arms. "Because we're seeing how long it takes for the other children to find us." Lu laid down on my shoulder and looked up at a hummingbird buzzing nearby. She gives the bird her full attention until it flies away.

"She was very hungry and looking for food to feed her babies too. She was afraid because we were here and we're so much bigger than she is so she left." I furrow my eyebrows at her and smile, ruffling her hair. "You're a little hummingbird expert aren't you?"

Lu squirms out of my arms and shakes her head. "I only know what they tell me. I can feel what they feel sometimes." She smiles a toothy grin and runs off to where the physician is waving her over for her weekly dosage. Because of her age and size, Lu was only required to take her supplements once a week.

It broke my heart to think about the conditions of each child here. We were the children that no one else wanted. We were damaged and broken. Some mad, others mildly ill. Either way, we were one in the same.

I couldn't find it in me to say goodbye to the children. I hugged all 15 of them and reminded them that they were loved but the word goodbye never even reached the tip of my tongue. As I rode away in the carriage my escort provided, I watched them play in the yard; so carefree and happy. I wished that I could go back to those days and stay there forever but alas, my destiny awaits. 

A/N:

How are you all liking the story so far? Any constructive criticism is appreciated!

~S&A