Hide and Seek

Hidden Troubles

It was a dark and cold night. All the kids were off to bed and the only one's that are awake is the head in charge and some faculties. They sat frantically as they argue about some problems. It was not a mystery to them on what's happening, they we're  just having trouble on how to solve it. They agreed to not ask for help from outside the premises afraid that it might ruin the reputation of there house and business if words went out to public regarding there problem.

The argument has subdue and everyone we're calm again. The room fell in silence, no one dared to talk as they we're all thinking. A group of four young males and females stood near the door, they were wearing identical white uniforms from skirt to pants. Three nuns stand by each side of Mr. Scott, the head master of the house called,"The Orphanage". All of them had the same expression on their faces, 'troubled' , the kids are having trouble while sleeping this past few nights. Some of them ends up getting lost and are found in some random places here in the building. They usually monitor the children when they are awake and leave them to there own after making sure they are sleeping. This kind of occurrence was really sudden and random. Especially the fact that the missing children we're either found scratched or sick.

"It's nearly June, we're nearing the month when we get some new applicants in for a job." Mr. Scott said, "I'm thinking of taking a private doctor, a fresh graduate with some knowledge about how to cure the sick kids, rather than calling for the hospital. We can turn that old room into a mini hospital room for the children or any of the staff.  Having some professional who's great dealing with health can benefit us." He was serious, you can see it in his eyes as he sit behind his table with confidence and authority looming behind him.

The young adults who were dealing with the sick kids nod there heads in agreement, while the head of the nuns thought other wise." Won't it be too much for us to handle, we don't have enough funds to get a doctor." That made the rest doubt about the idea. She really know how to persuade others.

"Then we will get a nurse instead, they learned something of the basics about health so taking care of some children won't be a problem."  Mr. Scott insisted not backing down.

"Are we not enough to take care of the children? We also learnt the basics of health and human services." The head nun said obviously felt offended. The other nuns backing her up while the rest just listened and watch.

Mr. Scott gave out a sigh and look up at Miss Jess, the head nun, who is now standing in front of him with her sisters. "Look, sister Jess I'm not saying you and your sisters are bad at this but please give it a thought..., for the children." He said his voice low and calm. The last thing he need is a fuming mob of nuns running behind him.

A sound of heavy footsteps stop their argument and a young man came in panting out of breath. "The children... In the third floor,... tㅡthey're gㅡgone!" He stutter and all the adults in the room we're shock, they all run up to find the missing children. This has been the first time for all the children to be gone missing and in the middle of the night. It's just usually the younger kids ranging from 6 to 11, now the missing children were above 12 years old.

The kids here are classified by their age from low to highest. Infants are placed on the first floor, 4 to 11 are on the second, and the 12 and above in the third floor. The fourth and other floors were strictly forbidden except for the adults. But the highest floor is restricted for all but the head nun and Mr. Scott.

"How can this happen?! Didn't you see them get out of their rooms?!" The rest of the helpers had gone to check the other children thanks to the ones above they were all sleeping soundly. This confirmed that the one missing are the older children. "Sam is now checking the camera's he will report to us in a moment." The young man that came running for them said, looking better than earlier when he went for them.

They searched every floor and rooms, Still no children. The other adults went out of the building to search while Mr. Scott went up to the last floor with Sister Jess. "With luck maybe they're in the top, oh God, please guide the children safe and out of trouble." Sister Jess prayed over and over holding a rosary in her hand. The top floor is usually dark because no one comes in here, but as they came up the stairs they we're blinded by the light. It's a sign that the kids might be here hiding somewhere.

The two adults seperated to have a faster chance of finding the missing children. "I'll go this way," Mr. Scott walk to the left while sister Jess went right. It was silent enough to hear a pin drop in a distance. Everything was clean white from the floor up to the ceiling but the walls which is a dirty cream color. Sister Jess held her head high as she walks, her sandals making a clicking sound. Passing doors after doors, she tried to open every door she see. She listened silently for any sound of the children, just then a cold breeze went past carrying a faint voice followed by a deafening scream. She abruptly turn her heels, grabbing her night dress she ran fast. To where the scream came, to where Mr. Scott went. The left wing of the building.

When sister Jess came near the entrance where they split, there standing was Mr. Scott with three children by his side. All of them were out of breath from running. "What happened to you four and what was that noise?" She asked them. It was a boy with raven hair answered, "We ran out of the room we were hiding which was at the end of this hall," he said pointing his thumb from where they came. "Then who screamed?" The nun ask again.

The three children look at one another then to Mr. Scott and back at the nun. This time the man answered, "This little girl got freaked out and began screaming running away from us." Mr. Scott exclaimed briefly. The girl hid herself behind the tall boy away from the nuns vision.

"There's only three of you here?" She ask them. They shook there heads saying no. "Okay, then lets get out of here and we shall discuss all of your punishment." She said and turned her back from them followed by Mr. Scott, the three children look behind them one last time before sprinting down the stairs.