A Charmless Bracelet

My name is Jane, or so I think so. When the orphanage found me on their front doorstep in a basket, I was wearing only a charm bracelet with no charms, only a single bead. As they picked me up to bring me inside, they noticed a scrap of paper at the bottom of the basket. It read one word and one word only, "Jane". And that's what I was called. I've lived in the Rose Water Orphanage in Oregon my whole life. I'm 12 now. I have long brown hair and hazelnut eyes. Maybe I looked like my mother. Maybe not. I never met her, and if I had, I must have been only a few weeks old and don't remember. Ever since, I've worn the bracelet I was wearing when they found me, and I never take it off. I wear long sleeve shirts so no one can see it, Although I doubt anyone would notice it. It's not like anyone pays attention to me anyway. I've never had friends, but I don't need any. I'm fine on my own, and besides, I prefer reading, to playing hopscotch and jacks with the other girls. If I'm not reading, I'm fantasizing about what my parents were like. Although I do not need friends, I still get lonely sometimes. I think about joining the others, but then I remember that there is no point, as all the girls come and go, except me. I was here, I am here, and I will always be here.

One fall day, I was sitting on my small bed reading, just like every other day. It was Wednesday, mail day. There is usually not much, except for the occasional letter from someone planning to adopt, or from a faraway relative not able to take care of them. Everyone runs over to see if they have received any mail. I don't. I never get mail, so what's the point. When everyone sighs and goes back to playing, I know there was no mail. But if there was none, then why did Mrs. Nancy come? I glance at the mail basket and see there is one small letter in the basket. "Jane!" "Are you just going to sit there, or read your mail?" Mrs. Nancy asks. "Mail...For me?" I ask surprised. She nods. I walk over wondering what it could be. A relative? No, I do not have any that I know about. Someone looking to adopt me. No, everyone wants cute little kids, not teens. I pick up the letter. No address, only my name, except there is an extra word at the end of my name, "Hensley." I like it. Since there was no address, it was not mailed. I walk back to my bed and sit down. I carefully open the letter and pull out a small sheet of paper. I unfold it.

"We need to talk. Meet me at the lake at midnight. Don't tell anyone, and make sure no one follows you."

I was scared, confused, and excited at the same time. Who was this? What did they need to talk to me about? How did they know me? My mind was racing with Ten million thoughts at once. Should I go? What if they're dangerous? Why does someone want to meet this late? Wh..." "Jane, you're going to miss dinner!" Mrs. Chess said. Already? Wow, time sure flies, "One-minute Ma'am" I said. I waited until she left the room, her heels clacking ever.loudly on the hard wood floors before I tucked the letter under my pillow. I thought about the letter all through dinner nearly forgetting to eat at all. In the end, I decided I would go. This was the most interesting thing that had happened in my life, I couldn't miss out on a chance like this!

11:45 P.M.

I quietly slipped on a jacket and hat. I started walking to the back door, making sure not to step on any of the creaky floorboards. As quietly as I could, I unlocked the back door and slipped out. I silently walked across the lawn, making sure I was not being followed. When I was sure, I went down to the lake. No one was there, but I decided to wait, as I was early.

11:54 P.M.

I froze... something, or someone was walking toward me. "Jane?", "Are you here?" asked what sounded like a girl's voice. "Yes," I replied quietly. I walked toward her; she did the same until we were about a foot apart. "Hi! I'm Alex," she said excitedly. "I'm J...," I started to say, but my voice trailed off. She already knew my name, but how? It didn't occur to me when I was reading the letter. "How do you know my name?" I asked. "Well that's what I wanted to talk to you about. My mom was your family's maid, she had been forever. But one day, your parents just disappeared. They took you with them. They started acting strange about a month before their abrupt exit. My mom has been looking for you, she wants you to come with us. This is all what my mom has told me, as we were the same age when this happened, and I do not remember it. We live in your parents' house, as they gave it to us in their will. Although, my mom and I don't believe they died. Will you come with me?" she said. "Whoa! That's a lot to take in!" I said, taking a step back. "I know, but we need you to help us," she said. She seemed as surprised as I was. I thought for a minute and told her, "I need to grab a few things, but I will meet you back here in ten." Although it was hard to see her in the dark, I could tell that she had a wide grin on her face. I walked back to the orphanage, and silently Reentered. I grabbed my backpack and shoved in a few sets of clothes, a toothbrush, and hairbrush. I grabbed a couple books and a few other small items. I then exited the back door again for possibly the last time. I glanced back; I wouldn't miss this place. I ran back to Alex. "C'mon, I'll show you the way." I followed her to the bus stop. We got on and she told me to put my head down so no one would see our faces. We sat down in the back of the bus. And I drifted off into a dream less slumber.