A Home of Secrets (Night One)

Chapter 1

Rosella

The last safe place.

As I looked out the tinted window, I spotted a cluster of children outside the surrounding wall. My eyes narrowed as I laid eyes on their frightful faces. Almost every child looked petrified. I suppose they had the right to be as they were now alone—with little to no family, standing outside an unfamiliar place. However, it wasn’t time yet so I continued to make sure things were ready. Pushing myself off the rustic wooden bench, I started walking downstairs.

While strolling through the corridor I spotted Alyssa, the other Head Mother. It seemed that she was creating the orphan files, which I assigned her to earlier. It put me at ease that somebody was doing their job right. I knocked on her door gently, then I realized there was no need to knock.

“Alyssa. Have you completed the profiles?” I glared at her coldly.

“Almost. If you hadn’t assigned them to me at the last moment, I would have been done.” She scoffed.

I stared coldly into her light green eyes. She dare talk back to me?

“Well, you’ve just assigned yourself more work.”

I quickly walked into my office, grabbing a stack of my papers off of the desk. I mischievously grinned looking down at the papers. I proudly strutted into Alyssa’s office.

“There.” I said while slamming the papers onto her desk.

“Have fun. I must go greet the orphans now.” I chuckled leaving the room.

As I closed Alyssa’s office door I caught a glimpse of her frustrated face. I felt accomplished, immediately lifting my mood.

The old wood planks creaked as I made my way to the front door. Adjusting my mask, I grabbed the golden door handle. The door swung open and I walked through approaching the flock of children. It seems they had been waiting a while—multiple kids took it upon themselves to sit against the wall out of pure exhaustion.

“Hello children.” I pushed a warm smile.

Scanning each face, I noticed a young girl without a mask. I clicked my tongue. Reaching in my pocket I pulled a spare cloth mask.

“You do realize, you’re jeopardizing yourself and the others without a mask.” I handed her the mask.

“S-sorry..” She stuttered. Blonde pigtails framed her small face, the ribbons worn out. It seemed like she had been through a lot. Yet, I felt no sympathy for her.

“Carry your bags in, yet it doesn’t seem like you have many. Follow me.” I turned walking back into the building. I held the door open for the children as they walked in; they looked mesmerized.

“It’s huge! Do we really get to live here?” A boy jumped from excitement. His backpack dropped to the floor, a loud bang following.

“We’d appreciate it if you don’t dent our floors.” I said coldly. His smile immediately dropped as he picked up his backpack.

As I looked around the foyer, I noticed two children in the corner. They seemed to be giggling and gossiping to each other. I turned to them, staring them down. I thought this would frighten them like most children. Yet they kept laughing. This frustrated me.

I quickly walked over to the two. I slapped them across the face. Proceeding to crack my knuckles, I walked away.

They seemed to be quiet now, I guess my slap worked. The other children all looked at me like a monster, I hope that teaches them not to mess with me.

“All children report to the lecture hall, immediately.” My brother Noah's voice played over the speaker.

Chapter 2

Noah

“Welcome everyone.” I stood on the stage proudly. I adjusted my posture, lifting my shoulders. A maniacal grin was hidden by my mask. It seemed as if the children were baffled to see me. I mean, I was a foreign man standing on a podium m. They’ll just have to get used to it.

“Where did the woman with the hat go?” A young girl seeming to be 7 or 8 clutching a big bag glared at me, her eyes projecting that stupid puppy dog look.

“She’ll be back later, take a seat.” I replied to the pesky orphan. I run things here, not powerless Rosella. The children better realize that. Rosella wishes she could be like me. But she never will. I waited a few minutes for the children to finally make their way to the lecture hall. Apparently, my very clear announcement wasn’t clear enough. My goal is to teach these children discipline, which starts with punctuality. There should be 45 orphans sitting in front of me, yet only 43 are present. I stepped down from the stage and walked out of the room.

Although it is the first day—they could be disorientated.

My feet quickly moved as I examined the hallway. To my surprise, I found two children at the end of the hallway. A foolish attempt at hiding behind a sofa gave them up. I could spot both of their heads peeking up from the couch. Both children had dark raven locks, almost the exact shade. Could they be related?

Anyway, if they’re the type to cause trouble, might as well learn how to be good at it.

“Show yourself.” There was no movement, these two children were getting on my last nerve.

“NOW.” I raised my voice, which I wouldn’t have thought would have been necessary on the first day.

The two got up from behind the couch. Yet, they weren’t intimidated. Almost as if they were used to being in this position. There was pure silence as we glared at each other in the eye. The staring contests I had with my sister as children, prepared me for this. I didn’t blink, nor would I. That was until the girl on the right started giggling. I did not find this funny.

“Hm.” I stared into their dark eyes.

I grabbed the girl on the right by her shoulders, she held her breath. I threw them into the bookshelf. A singular book fell off the shelf.

The book titled, “Punishment.”

“Fitting.” I scoffed.

“ACK-” She screeched, placing her hand on their head in pain.

“You monste-!” The other girl, still standing, started.

“Laugh at me again, I dare you.”

“Now, follow me to the lecture hall.”

The two trailed behind me, this time with no giggling. I grinned, feeling accomplished. Another child scared. I watched them take their seats as I walked up to the stage.

“Apologies for the delay, I was taking care of an important matter.”

“I am Father Noah, you may refer to me as Father. I run things around here. Although, I work beside my sister, Rosella, who you met earlier. Refer to her as Mother Rosel-”

The door swung open as Alyssa walked in. Her tardiness was not appreciated.

“Alyssa. Thank you for joining us, finally.” I watched her walk up onto the stage.

“I’m sorry Noah, Rosella gave me so much work, and well-” She rambled, it seemed like she was going to break into tears.

“I don’t need your excuses.”

“And this is Mother Alyssa. She’s also an important asset to our team, I guess. You may see other staff, they are referred to as sisters and brothers.” I sighed.

“Hello everyone!” Alyssa said, smiling.

I stepped on her foot, pausing her cheery welcome. I pointed to the door, gesturing for her to prepare dinner.

She slowly walked to the kitchen, looking down at the ground. Most of the time, I pick on Alyssa for kicks but sometimes I truly get annoyed by her bubbly personality. It irritates me how someone could be so happy, or at least act happy, in such a place like this.

“Now, moving on to rules... You must be in bed by 11 o’clock. No later than that, you will be punished. No forbidden areas, this includes not going outside unless allowed to.” As I went over the rules, I noticed the children in the audience looking flustered. One child was even taking notes, I guess they really didn’t want to get in trouble.

“No sharp objects of any sorts. You MUST tell staff when you’re ill, it is important to keep everyone safe. Do your chores when assigned and always be respectful to staff and fellow orphans.” I recited the rules clearly. I assumed most children were bored out of their minds by now, so it was time to conclude this assembly.

“Half of you will stay in the Feu dorms and the other half will be in the L’eau dorms, first come first serve. After placing your things upstairs you may explore the building for the next hour.”

In a way, I always thought of the dorm names as my sister and I. L’eau being the “water dorms” and Feu being the fire. Although timid at times, she’s quite peaceful. At least compared to me. Being the younger sibling, she's always looked up to me and aimed to be like me.

All the children got up excitedly and immediately dashed upstairs, ready to claim their rooms. As I had nothing to do at the moment, I decided to check in on Alyssa in the kitchen.

I pridefully walked through the dining room and to the kitchen. I heard giggling at conversations from upstairs but decided to ignore it for once.

“Knock, knock.” I said, walking into the room without actually knocking.

Alyssa was preparing pork chops with a delicate caesar side salad, it smelled delicious. I walked over to the kitchen counter to snag a piece. While she continued to chop up a variety of vegetables, I placed a bite of pork into my mouth. I started to cough vigorously. Alyssa immediately poured a cup of water and gave it to me.

Like water would help when I was basically choking. The tiny chunk of pork chop flew across the room. Alyssa looked shocked, and I just stood there.

“Alyssa. I would prefer if the orphans didn’t choke on your.. rubbery pork chops.” I glared at her and then to the pork chops. I reached for the plate to then throw them into the garbage, where they belong.

I could tell Alyssa was trying to shove down her temper. Although I was having an extravagant time toying with Alyssa, I had some unfinished business to take care of. Best to let Rosella finish off this night.