25 Days Of Writing (2020)

25 DAYS OF WRITING - TheSilenceInside - Dec 1

Prompt: Beginnings

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Alana stared out the train window, watching the countryside fly by. The ten year-old girl was an orphan who had been shipped between orphanages all her life. The longest she had even been in one was four months. She was a strange child, quieter than most, smarter than she seemed. Nobody knew exactly why the couldn't keep her, just that they couldn't. It was just something about her, an aura that she gave off. 

The train's whistle screeched as it pulled into the station. Alana stood, picking up her bag, and got off the train, hurrying to stand on the covered platform. It was drizzling, and she was the only one at the station. The train pulled away as she watched, smoke puffing into the air as it's whistle shrieked. Alana spun as someone cleared their throat behind her.

"You are Alana Newcastle, correct?" The man who was standing their asked. Alana nodded, ducking her head and letting her golden locks fall across her face. "Good. Come with me." Alana nodded again, watching the man carefully from under her eyelashes. He was tall, about 6'2", she thought, and broad-shouldered. He was wearing a plaid shirt and dusty work-pants with sturdy leather boots. He walked her to a small, rusty car that looked like it was about to fall apart. She gingerly climbed inside, setting her bag on her lap. The man climbed into the driver's seat and started the engine, the little car rattling as he started driving down the narrow road. 

"I'm Mister Baler, head of the orphanage 'round here," he said, and Alana blinked startled. He saw her surprise and continued, "It's a bit of a different place than you've seen, or so I would assume. Smaller, higher rate of being adopted, and so one. Well, I was walkin' round outside one day and..." Alana stopped listening. A higher rate of being adopted? Perhaps the thing she longed for most, even more than friends, was a family. The man continued to chatter the rest of the drive to the orphanage, but Alan didn't listen. Her head was whirling with daydreams of being adopted.  

- 4 weeks later -

Alana has settled into the Boxwoods Orphanage quite well. She was doing well in classes, and never fell behind with her chores. It was a Sunday when the couple came, and Alana was dusting in the main hall. 

"Excuse me, dear," she heard a woman say behind her. 

Alana spun and curtseyed, "Yes?"

The woman laughed, "Oh no, please, don't curtsey. We," she gestured to the man next to her, who Alana assumed was her husband, "are looking for the manager of this place."

"I'll fetch him for you," Alana said, smiling. She hurried up the stairs to Mister Baler's office, and knocked on the sturdy wooden door. 

He opened it, smiling.

"Yes Alana?"

"There's a couple downstairs who wish to speak with you."

"Thanks," he said, tussling her hair as he walked by. She fixed it, smiling. 

Half an hour later, Mister Baler and the couple came back up the stairs.

"Alana. Meet Mister and Mistress Kalring. They would like to adopt you." Alana's eyes widened. 

"Really?" 

Mister Baler smiled, "Yes."

- THE END -

Word Count: 525

@SlimySalamder, how is it? Does it fit the prompt?