Chapter 4:
"…don't you worry, Mrs. Kingston, he's coming along very nicely, just a bit of a bruise there…"
"No concussion or anything? Are you absolutely sure?"
"Now, now milady, no need to worry, he just had a little accident…besides who's the doctor here, hmm?
"Well…alright then…oh dear when will he wake –"
Peter could hear distant voices, which was making his head hurt terribly. One was easily recognizable as the scratchy voice of Mrs. Kingston, but the other one, he couldn't recognize at all. Ohhh, what happened? They're talking about me, I know, but ---
Suddenly, Peter's eyes bolted open, and he looked around frantically, "Where are they? Where are my Mom and Dad? Where are they, I've got to tell them, I've ---"
"NOW, now settle down, son, settle down, you're not feeling well, a little splash of water will help, now settle down, SETTLE DOWN!" A tall, bald man with beady black eyes was pushing down Peter onto his bed with a lot of strength, followed by an ice-cold splash of water onto his face. Peter gasped at the sudden change in temperature. He looked past the mean, bald man until he saw Mrs. Kingston, sitting quietly in a chair. Her eyes were red and puffy, and she was constantly sniffing.
"Peter, darling," once again Peter was taken aback by Mrs. Kingston's sudden gentle tone, "r-remember w-what I told y-you yesterday?" she finished timidly.
WHAT? She didn't tell me anything yesterday! No, no, no, no! It was all a dream! A nightmare, it can't be true!
"NO! YOU'RE LYING MRS. KINGSTON, I KNOW IT, YOU'RE LYING! MY PARENTS, T-THEY'RE COMING HOME, RIGHT? RIGHT?" Peter was crying now, sobbing harder than ever, "P-PLEASE TELL ME T-THE TRUTH, MRS. KINGSTON!" He collapsed onto his bed, and scrunched up his scabby knees, sobbing into his already damp pillow. NO, no, no, no, no…
"Son, you're going to have to turn around, I can't check for bruises if you don't turn around. Now be a good boy…"
Peter gave the doctor the meanest glare he could possibly make. What did he know? His parents didn't die; he wasn't a loner in school. And here he was, standing there smartly, as if nothing had happened!
"P-Peter, please, l-listen to the n-nice man, he's t-trying to help y-you –"
"Help me? How can he help me?" and he slumped back down again onto his bed, his voice muffled, "just l-leave me alone."
The doctor sighed an exasperated sigh, "Alright, Mrs. Kingston, I think it's best if we just let him be for now. I understand he's going through a tough time, so we'll just discuss everything downstairs. Now if you don't mind, I'd fancy a cup of tea."
"Oh, o-of course, right this way," said Mrs. Kingston, choking back sobs.
All the way down the stairs, Peter could hear murmuring, until it finally faded away, and a sudden smell of coffee was wafting up the landing. He sniffled. Discussing everything…discussing what? I have nowhere to go now; Mom or Dad never mentioned relatives. Maybe, maybe Mrs. Kingston will take me in…as evil as she really is…OH WHAT'S THE USE? I'm a goner! WHY DID YOU HAVE TO GO?
After an hour or so, Peter was all out of tears to cry, so he decided to go downstairs, and drop in on the conversation. They must have heard him trudging down the stairs, because the talking immediately stopped as Peter came into view. Mrs. Kingston came running to him at once.
"Oh Peter! Are you all right? Do you want some water? Maybe you should –"
"What are you talking about?" He had no time for politeness right now. The bald doctor sitting at the table suddenly stood up.
"Son," he started, putting a rough hand on Peter's shoulder; Peter looked up, "your caretaker and I have been discussing matter and, well, w-we think it's best if we, well, send you to an o-orphanage.
"A WHAT?" yelled Peter "you can't send me t-there! I've read about those places, t-they make you into servants, teach you discipline, you c-can't send me there! I-I'll live with Mrs. Kingston if I have to, anything but an, an o-orphanage! I won't go!"
"PETER PAN!" shouted Mrs. Kingston suddenly, making both the doctor and Peter jump, "There's no other choice, you have to understand that! I've already tried to take you in, but it cannot be done! Please, please compromise with us for once!" Her harsh, scratchy voice was starting to come back now, "Besides, the orphanage is a wonderful place, and I'll be checking in with you now and then! Do you really think we'd leave you be; on your own?"
"N-No, Mrs. Kingston, I-I just don't – don't want to go. T-They won't treat m-me nice, I swear –"
"Oh don't you swear in front of me! I'm the closest person you have to family, therefore I decide where you're headed!" she turned towards the doctor, "the deal's done! He will go to the Bedford Town Orphanage!" and with a shaky hand, she signed the sheet of paper in front of her. Then she turned towards Peter once again, but her eyes were soft this time.
"Peter, you have to understand the situation. But don't you worry, I'll be checking in with you now and then, don't you dare worry. They will treat you nicely, I'll make sure of it! Now go upstairs, and I suggest you get a little bit of rest. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow!" With that, she turned around, and headed towards the kitchen. Peter could have sworn that he heard a sniffle or two from her.
Upstairs, Peter lay down in his bed. What just happened? What's going to happen to me? What's Bedford Town Orphanage? Oh, so many questions, but no answers!
He turned towards the window, and looked out into the stars, "Why did you guys have to go?"
Don't worry the story will get better, I promise! I know I'm lagging behind with this whole parents dying, orphanage deal, but I promise to catch up in the next chapter! Look out for the next chapter soon!
Until then….REVIEW PLEASE: D
