Bonjour! This is the second installment! Enjoy, but know that the characters and such don't belong to me! I'd like to thank everyone who's told me what they think. Keep it up Fanfic-ers.
"You mean you didn't get anything else? At all?" Rapunzel asked quietly. She sounded astonished.
I rubbed the back of my neck, still feeling that cold. "Heh. Not if you're a six year old orphan. I don't know how other families punished their kids, but that's how it was there." Pascal, who had moved onto my knee, gently gave it a pat.
You haven't heard anything yet little guy. I though bitterly.
"Well, I think that's good." I stretched with a huge yawn. "I could really go for a nap, you know, so I don't miss the main event."
I glanced over at my audience of two. They seemed disappointed, and were giving me pleading looks.
"Come on guys..." I muttered. "It doesn't get any better."
"Please Eugene!" She begged.
I was only pretending to make a fuss. I could never say no her.
"Okay, okay." I raised my hands in mock defeat. "But I'm gonna warn you- it doesn't get much happier."
She didn't say anything. She just sat there, looking captivated.
"The next thing I remember is..."
Flynn, age 8.
Today is my 8th birthday. I'm one of the few orphans here who actually know their own birthday- everyone else just celebrates it in the middle of the summer. But today, it was all about me. I didn't have to do any of my duties, there was cake and I got a gift. It was a pretty great day over all. Now, I lay on my bed, about to fall asleep. I'm playing with the small tin soldier they got me. Girls get a yarn doll, and we get a tin soldier. Most of them get stolen a few weeks after the party by Bruiser or someone. I think Kyle has all of his though. I have no idea how he keeps them all. I give mine away once I'm bored with them. No point in keeping what someone else could have.
"Hey."
I sit up slowly. I know who it is, and I've been dreading this all day. It's the group of older boys, minus Bruiser.
"Hey Lieutenant." I try and keep my voice level, but it doesn't really work. "Are you looking for me?"
They always come for you when you turn eight. I don't know of any boy who escaped them.
"Yeah." Lieutenant is eying my soldier. I wonder what I'd have to give up to make them go away. "I'm sure you know why we're here."
The five of them are surrounding me. I feel as if I'm in a trap.
"I think so." I say it like it's a question.
"Yes or no?" Lieutenant and his boys stare me down.
See, this group of older boys has always been here. Bruiser is the leader right now, but in a few more years, it might even be Lieutenant. Bruiser is sixteen, and Lieutenant is fifteen, though no one is younger than thirteen who's really in the group. I don't know what the group does, but they don't get punished as much as they should for certain things. They go out of the building a lot. They use boys like me, get us to do things for them, and tell us that we'll be in the group one day too. I don't know why anyone would want to. It seems boring. But whatever they use us for, it's dangerous. Because sometimes, boys goes to the older boys' lair in the attic. And then they don't come out.
"I don't think so Lieutenant." I mutter. "I don't want to."
Lieutenant is looking at me. The boy is tall, not like Bruiser though. He's smarter than Bruiser, and better looking. That's why Lieutenant always recruits. "You sure?" I nod. "Well, if you're sure."
He stands and I'm confused. I heard that they would hurt you if you say no. This is too easy.
"I was going to teach you to read, but it you don't want to join..." Lieutenant shrugs, leaving the end open. My heart skips a beat. Read? I still hadn't fully grasped it, though I was getting better. But having someone really teach me...? I know Lieutenant isn't lying either. He reads to us sometimes.
"Um! Wait." I grab his sleeve and he turns around. "What will I have to do?"
He smiles- he knows he's got me. "Oh, just things like passing messages, and running parcels."
It sounds simple. I'm sure I could do it.
"O-okay." I say, sealing my fate. "I'll do it."
"Splendid!" His smile is scary. "Come to the attic tomorrow. And don't forget to pick your new name!"
I nod, and they all leave. It's like it never happened. I sit for a minute, thinking of my new job. I guess I'll be passing notes to the other groups in the other wings. The Orphanage is huge- there are three other wings, each with its own director and kids. The main director isn't here most days, but he comes sometimes. I've seen him once or twice. Each wing has its own group and leader. I've never been to the other wings- I'm suddenly excited. And I'll get to pick a new name! I forgot about that. Lieutenant's name is really Lawrence, but no one knows what Bruiser's first name is. I already know what mine is going to be. Flynn. Flynn Rider.
"This will be fun." I say to myself as I lay back down for a nap, my tin soldier forgotten. "It'll be great!"
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