“Ben! Let’s go see the birds on the nest!” Jenny pestered me to come to the secret tree we found in the orphanage.
Actually, it's not literally a ‘secret’ tree. It’s the same for the other trees outside but the difference is, it’s too many leaves and too tall than the others. Perfect for climbing and hiding places. No one can pass by in this tree aside from me and Jenny, even sister Joan doesn’t know about it. That’s why, this is our little hideout.
I lived here for 11 years, I have been here since I was an infant. Same goes for Jenny too. I arrived 3 months earlier than Jenny. Only Jenny and I are the ones with the same age. The others are younger than us. So, it’s easier for us to get close than the others.
Every month here, we were getting adopted before we reached thirteen years old. So, the older ones that were here have already left and got adopted. And we are the only older ones left, me and Jenny. The others are younger than us. So, it’s easier for us to get close than the others
But that’s not what I'm thinking for now. Yesterday, Sister Joan said that there’s someone who's willing to adopt Jenny. Jenny is my only friend here. I don’t like any other children because they are noisy. But I’m happy here together with them. We have delicious food and shelter here. We didn’t mind the laundry because every time there’s a person who does our laundry. I wish we could stay here forever but it’s not possible. It saddens me that my only friend will get separated from me. We were together for almost 11 years and we shared every bond together.
Jenny wants us to make many memories before she leaves the orphanage. I’m fine with it but the thought of her leaving makes me feel lonely.
After 3 days is the day when Jenny will leave the orphanage. We depart from the orphanage at night because Sister Joan said that everyone outside is busy every morning. So our departure will be at night. That's why Jenny wants us to be together until her last day at the orphanage.
*****
The day of departure has come. The other children say their goodbyes to Jenny while I'm here, staying in my room. I was afraid to see Jenny leave.
*Knock knock
“Ben.. are you there?” Jenny said outside the door.
I didn’t answer.
“Ben… I know you're sad but please let me see you before I leave.” she said sadly
My mind is debating if I want to open up the door or let it close. I stand up and walk near my door.
“If you don’t want to open the door, it's ok. I understand. But at least hear me out.” She said
“ It really is fun here, actually, I too don’t want to get adopted but if it’s my fate to have a family, then I'm willing to accept it. But remember that you are my first family and my dearest friend here and I won’t forget you even if I were far away..." She stopped
“If ever the time would come for you too to get adopted, please don’t forget about me too. I know you’ll feel lonely but sooner it’ll be fine. I know you’re strong and you can easily adapt to your surroundings. I know you can overcome the loneliness and sadness you will feel today. And if the time comes that you’re stable and can face me, I'll welcome you in my new home And please.. be happy even if I'm not here anymore.” I heard her sobbing while saying this.
I can’t control my feelings too so I cried silently too.
When I opened the door, she left. She left her favorite doll at my door. I picked it up and I hurriedly went to my window. I saw her and sister Joan walking away. I put on my jacket and ran towards them.
Sister Joan said that before we go to our adopted parents, we should pass by to our chapel to pray for our safety and happiness. So I hurriedly came there but suddenly..... I heard a scream.
In the far view of the chapel, I heard a scream a second time and I knew that scream was definitely from Jenny.
“That voice… Jenny..” I said while trembling
I ran hurriedly to the chapel.
When I reach the chapel, there’s an unfamiliar loudness I hear. I heard a growling. As if there’s a big animal inside the chapel.
*Growwwlllsss
Suddenly the door from the chapel opened and I saw Jenny, crawling and full of bruises and blood. I ran to her. But before I got near her, she saw me. But she gave me a fearful look that I had never seen before.
She tried to get up and murmured her mouth while she said ‘R-U-N-A-W-A-Y!!’ to me. That silent voice she gave me made me shiver and I witnessed a horrible look on what's inside the chapel.
On her back….. I saw something.
Something that my eyes can’t believe exists.
A big and long finger with its nail is sharp like an animal's claws..
Its face was like a horse shape, and its teeth were sharp like a lion.
Its eyes were like a cat’s eye but the color was like blood.. all red..
At the orphanage, life is very fun. Even without parents, sister Joan takes care of the little ones. But everything changes in the blink of an eye. When Jenny, Ben's best friend, got adopted. He followed her to see who her adopted parents were but a horrible thing happened. A monster came out and it ate her best friend. The most hurtful thing is that the person they trusted the most, Sister Joan, is one of those monsters.
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