Hi Loud Lovers! I'm finally posting the next chapter! And this is where the plot starts to thicken.
Clyde McBride walked down the nearly empty halls of Royal Woods Elementary. It had been over a month since the trial of the Loud family and since then the days have not been very cheerful. The school had fallen on hard times because of what Lincoln said about Mrs. Johnson in court. Its reputation had taken a major blow. Some parents had taken their children out of the school. As a result, some teachers had to be laid off because of the lack of students. Eventually, Clyde reached his destination, the school auditorium, where other students and staff members had gathered. The student body, as well as the school staff, had been almost halved by this time. These were truly rough times for Royal Woods Elementary indeed. Clyde took his seat amongst his fellow students. A moment after, Principal Huggins walked up onto the stage and faced the entire audience with a microphone standing in front of him.
"I know these last few weeks haven't been the best for anyone," the principal spoke. "Ever since the trial that took place a month ago, the school's reputation and budget has suffered greatly because of it. We've lost many students, we've had to let many teachers go, and we've had to cut many school activities like recess." A lot of the kids in the audience looked very unhappy with that. "The teachers who were not let go have had to work extra in order to keep their jobs." He said looking over at Agnes Johnson.
Mrs. Johnson did not look very well. Her hair didn't look as neat as it usually did and she had large bags under her eyes. She looked exhausted and overworked. After being shamed and humiliated at the trial, things just got worse for her afterwards. While she was one of the teachers lucky enough to keep her job, it was hanging by a thread. She had to make sure she did her job well, do extra work, and not put even a single toe out of line. She also became quite unpopular amongst the students and staff who mostly blamed her for the current state of their school. The only person who was more unpopular than her was Coach Pacowski, who was one of the first teachers to be fired after the trial.
"We hope to rebuild the school's reputation over time," Principal Huggins continued. "But in order to do that, we'll need to implement some new rules. First, everyone must take responsibility for their own failures and mistakes. Anyone who fails to do so, student or staff, will be punished severely. Second, no one person will be ostracized or estranged by all others. It will be the duty of facility members to step in and resolve such an issue should it arise. Any failure to do so will result in that facility member being let go. Finally, just like with Royal Woods sporting events, any superstitious rituals and practices are prohibited on school grounds. Anyone caught performing any superstitious practices, student or staff, will be severely disciplined. That is all. Everyone is dismissed."
Once Huggins was finished, everyone got up from their seats and started leaving the auditorium in an orderly fashion. Students and teachers silently walked down the hallways back to their classes. As he walked amongst them, Clyde saw that many people wore solemn and miserable expressions on their faces.
"I wonder how Lincoln's doing," Clyde said to himself. He missed his best friend. If he were here, it would make these miserable times more bearable.
Elsewhere, a chipper young woman in her early twenties with brown hair walked through the doors of St. Linda's. She was a devote Christian and a lover of children who had recently applied for a position at the orphanage.
"Excuse me," she said approaching a nearby nun. "I'm the new applicant and I scheduled an appointment to meet with the owners of this orphanage."
"Father George's office is right down there, dearie," the nun said pointing down the left hallway.
"Thanks," the applicant thanked her and started walking in that direction.
It took a while, but she finally reached the door to the Father's office which he knocked on.
"Come in," a male voice responded. The applicant entered to see the Father sitting at his desk with Sister Elizabeth at his side.
"Hi. I'm Amy," the applicant introduced herself. "I'm here for the interview regarding my application."
"Wonderful," Father George cheerfully exclaimed. "Take a seat and let us begin."
"How about we move this meeting to a more secluded room?" Sister Elizabeth suggested. "What do you say, Father?"
The Father looked at the nun for a moment with a nervous expression on his face to which she responded with a slightly malicious-looking grin.
"Very well," the Father reluctantly agreed.
The two led the young applicant down to a basement room where they could talk in private. There was a desk and chair sitting at the end of the room across from the door and another smaller chair sitting in front of the desk. On the left wall was another door. There was also a strange-looking man standing in the left corner by the door they entered through. He looked to be in his mid to late twenties and had long unkempt dark brown hair. He wore a black jacket, a dark blue shirt underneath, black slacks, black fingerless gloves, and black boots. On his face, he wore a malicious-looking grin and a pair of creepy-looking eyes like that of a bloodthirsty psychopath. This strange man looked like a vicious predator ready to kill much to the discomfort of Amy.
"Don't mind Randall," Sister Elizabeth said. "He doesn't bite unless told to."
Amy took her seat in the chair sitting in front of the desk. Much to her surprise and confusion, Sister Elizabeth was the one who sat in the chair behind the desk while Father George stood by her side. The expressions on their faces had changed as well. Father George looked concerned and nervous while Elizabeth had an ominous smile on her face.
"I'm ready to answer some questions, Sister…" Amy nervously spoke.
"Please, call me Liz," Elizabeth interrupted. "Now then, why don't you tell us why you'd like to join our little organization?"
"Well, I really like children," Amy answered confidently. "I used to work as a babysitter and have had a lot of experience interacting with children. When I heard about that poor boy and what his rotten family did to him, I thought this my calling so I applied for a chance to help all these poor kids find happiness."
Amy's answer did not receive the reaction she was expecting. Father George looked nervous and uneasy while Sister Elizabeth looked indifferent and uninterested.
"So there's no personal or material motivation for wanting to work here?" Elizabeth asked. "No desire to make money?"
"No, just the thought of helping these children is payment enough for me," Amy answered.
"That's a shame," the head nun said in a tone of disappointment.
"What's wrong?" a confused Amy asked. "I'm not lying, I really do want to help children and make sure they all live happy lives."
"That's exactly the problem," Elizabeth replied making the young applicant even more confused. "It's not that you don't care enough, it's that you care too much."
"Don't you want the children under your care to be happy?"
The question caused Elizabeth to let out a disturbing chuckle which made Amy and Father George look uneasy. The mysterious man in the corner, on the other hand, smiled menacingly. He knew what was coming next.
"My dear Amy," Elizabeth stood up from her seat and walked over to the seated applicant. "Do you want to know what this organization is really about?"
Meanwhile, Lincoln and his new friends had just finished their class and were walking down the hallway chatting together.
"And then the fighting and arguing started all over again," the white-haired boy finished a story. His new friends started laughing once he finished.
"And they never once realized how flawed their protocol was?" Katelyn asked.
"Talk about arrogant," Jim commented.
"They're quick to point out your mistakes, but they don't want to hear when they're wrong," Caroline said. "I'm surprised they lasted this long."
The group of friends all chuckled together. However, Lincoln's laughter began to fade and a sad expression formed on his face. The others noticed this and stopped their laughter.
"Is something wrong, Lincoln?" Caroline asked concerned. "Do you want to talk about something else?"
"Sorry," the white-haired boy apologized. "You'd think after all this time, I'd learn to get over it."
"The things your family did to you?" Jim asked.
"Or being separated from them?" Katelyn also asked.
"Both, but more of the latter," Lincoln answered.
"You know, Lincoln," Katelyn said touched. "It's almost saint-like that you still show some affection for your family despite everything they're done."
"Trust me, I'm no saint," the white-haired boy denied. "I've done some things that make me no better than them. If you knew half of them, you'd think twice about hanging out with me. My best friend, Clyde, was more of a saint than me for putting up with my family's craziness. I know this because I've suffered the consequences every time." Then a sad look formed on his face. "Sometimes I wonder if I've done too much bad that God has given up on me. I've wasted too many chances to prove I can be a better person who deserves a better life. Maybe I won't be allowed in Heaven, maybe I'll go to –"
Before Lincoln could finish his sentence, he felt a hand touch his shoulder and grip it tightly, not too tight that it hurt. He turned to see Caroline holding his shoulder with a serious expression on her face.
"Stop right there!" she said sternly. "Don't even think for a second you'll go to where you were about to say! God loves all his creations, including me, you, and even your family. He never gives up on anyone. He is the greatest teacher of all, and his best teaching tool is life. Life is full of learning experiences. It's what we take from those experiences that helps shape who we are. So while we can't always notice if He's there or not, He's always providing us with opportunities to learn and shape who we are. Lincoln, it's not my place to tell you if you're a good person or not."
"Well, we think you are," Katelyn interrupted for a moment.
"The point is God is never quick to condemn anyone to…" she made a downward gesture with her hand. "You're still young and still have a lot to learn before you're ready for such judgement. Personally, I believe you're a very good kid and will grow into a wonderful adult."
Lincoln was so touched by Caroline's words that he had to wipe a single tear out of his eye. He wrapped his arms around her waist as a gesture of affection, which she returned. Katelyn and Jim also joined in the group hug.
"Thanks guys," Lincoln said with a warm smile. "You've all made these last few months bearable. When I hit rock bottom, you all appeared to pull me back up. I feel very fortunate to have come to St. Linda's."
Back in the basement, Sister Elizabeth had just finished telling Amy what the true purpose of St. Linda's was really about. The young applicant's face was etched with horror and her eyes were filled with dread as she stared at the nun who wore a cold and emotionless grin. She looked as if she were staring into the eyes of the Devil. Father George looked extremely nervous while Randall had an excited and sadistic smile on his face.
"Good God!" a horrified Amy exclaimed.
"I take it you're not too pleased with your application now?" Elizabeth said calmly. "It's a dirty business, but you'd be surprised at the benefits."
"But… but… the children!" Amy said.
"No worries, some of them do go to a better place," Elizabeth assured. "Randall can show you."
The applicant turned around to find the creepy man standing right behind her with a psychotic grin and murderous eyes as he held a gun with a silencer to her head.
Back above, Lincoln and his friends were all sitting in the cafeteria chatting and eating lunch together.
"By the way," Caroline announced excitedly. "Sister Elizabeth recently told me she found someone who wants to adopt me." The rest of the group happily congratulated her. "I know. Isn't it exciting? I'll finally go to a new home."
"We're really going to miss you," Lincoln said with a hint of sadness in his voice.
"Don't worry, I'll keep in contact with all of you," Caroline assured.
"That's what our last friend said," Jim replied doubtfully. This made Lincoln concerned and confused.
"Whenever our friends get adopted, we never hear from them again," Katelyn explained.
"Maybe they make new friends and forget about us," Jim said.
"Don't worry, I'll be sure to never forget about any of you," Caroline reassured her friends. "I promise."
Back down in the basement, Elizabeth and George were watching Randall leave the room through the side door. He sounded like he was dragging something with him. The seat which Amy had been sitting in was now empty.
"Too bad," Elizabeth said in a calm and emotionless tone. "We'll have to move on with another candidate."
"We could've just said no and sent her away," George said disapprovingly. "If you hadn't told her everything, we wouldn't had needed to do that."
"You'd think after all this time working for this organization, you'd be used to this by now," Elizabeth apathetically teased. "We'll have our meeting with our next applicant in a more secluded location this weekend. Someplace where we can speak freely and truthfully. And we'll offer accommodations they can't refuse. So be sure to dress nicely."
Father George wiped the sweat from his brow as he followed his so-called subordinate out of the room.
It would appear that the people at St. Linda's are not what they seem. Who are they? What are they truly doing there? And what fate do they have in store for Lincoln?