Ok, here you my friends, a new chapter. Once again I'm sorry for the errors in advance, This google traslator only does the first half of the job. anyway, I hope you like it and please comment. As always, you can find Art of the chapter in my DevianArt account Alejindio. have a nice day.
Rain. . . .
Rain. . . .
Rain. . . .
All that fell was rain, the sky was gray, all the people had already gone home, The funeral procession had been beautiful, no wonder since Sister Margaret was very dear in the community, many mourned her loss, The children of the orphanage, her companions and Sisters of the orphanage, several people whom she knew all her life, every person she had ever met.
There had been only one person who did not cry once, a young 11-year-old white-haired boy, ¿Did he attend the funeral? Yes, ¿Did he pray for her eternal rest? Yes. . . Although he was not a strong believer. Now standing there, standing in front of the coffin, soon to be buried in that hole, carefully placed inside and covered with earth, a beautiful marble stone would be placed on top, probably say something cheesy like "Rest in peace" or something. The truth did not matter, no matter how much people wept, how much they wished it had not happened, the sad and raw truth was that it happened! Sister Margaret was gone, she would never come back, she would not rise from that coffin and go back to the orphanage, she was going to stay there and be buried and would be remembered. . . For some time, then she would be forgotten like so many other people who come and go.
He stood there for a long time, being soaked by raindrops on him, all his black clothes completely wet, he would surely become ill. It did not matter; He would do his job and he would do it well, that was all he had left after all. Suddendly the white haired boy smiled while remembering how long ago his liking for the karate started:
...
A little 6 years old boy was sitting outside the Director's office, his ear ached, that other Sister Carmen had pulled it very hard, it almost felt that she would tear it, he understood why, after all, at last de had decided to give her child what he deserved. Inside the office, both adult ladies had an argument:
-I'm sorry, Sister Margaret! But we just can't take it anymore! That boy is incorrigible, he should not be here! The Correctional Facility is the ideal place for that delinquent!
-Sister Carmen, I understand your anger but I would like to hear both versions of the story before deciding what to do.
-¿What is there to think? he beat up little Armando without a hint of mercy! The most gracious and cute child of this place!
-I understand, but I want to hear what he has to say, if I know Brandon as well as I think I do, I know he would never act without reason.
-¿Why do you keep protecting him? He is abusive, he does not listen to what he is told, he is always fighting with other guys, he does not fit here.
-That's up for me to decide, now please go out and tell him to come.
With a sigh of anger, the younger Sister left the room and found the boy sit outside the office.
-The Sister wants you to come in! I hope this time you get what you deserve- The sister said and started to walk down the hall.
Brandon did not say anything, just stopped and walked to the door but a second before entering the office,he stopped, turned around and spoke:
-Please tell Armando that I do not regret what I did, and also tell him that if I find out he bully the little kids again, next time I'll throw all his teeth out of his mouth and will force him to swallow them!
Before Sister could respond, the boy had already closed the door behind him, ready to face the Headmistress, front of him, Sister Margaret watched him for a few seconds, sighing, finally she spoke:
-¿So?
¿So what?
-Will you tell me why you beat up Armando and made him eat dirt from the yard?
-I think you heard what I said to Sister Carmen
-I see. . . Then Armando was. .
-He was humiliating a little 4-year-old girl, telling her that she would never be adopted because of how ugly she was and for not being able to walk, and to finish, he told her that he would not spend much time in this "crappy place" that sooner or later a silly adult would give her Home that deserved while she root here.
-Hmmmmm Armando said that? I find it hard to believe.
-Of course you will not believe me, Even though he is an idiot, he knows how and when to act, of course he behaves nice and kind when adults see him, but when he is out of the watchful eye, he do what he wants, he hits and Humiliates other children but thanks to his attitude of ass kisser, all adults believe he is a saint, just today I could not contain myself and finally I gave him his deserved punishment and ¿you know what? I loved it! Punish me however you want, I already got my prize! It totally worth it.
-Okay, even though I'll have to corroborate your story, I can not ignore your hostile attitude against Armando, you will clean the children's restrooms for 2 weeks and you can't go out to play for a whole month,
Brandon stared at the Director with disbelieving eyes, he could not believe what he had just heard.
-That is all? I don't understand, I've seen you transfer other children for the same reasons. . . Why not me?
-Why Brandon?" . . . because I know you say the truth, maybe you do not like it, but all the little 3 and 4 years old admire and defend you, I talked with the little Miriam and told me exactly the same story you told me, I will talk to Armando and sanction him properly, you can go now.
Without saying anything for the surprise, the boy walked slowly towards the door, being interrupted by the Director's voice again:
-Just one more thing
-I knew there was a catch
-Isn't there always a catch?" We have to do something with that fighting attitude you have Brandon, you have a lot of anger inside you vent it on other kids
-¿What?
-Please Brandon, do not insult my intelligence, I'm aware of all your fights with school boys and street children
-There is nothing wrong with it, they are all trouble makers and you said it, I have a lot of anger inside me, why not vent it on those fools?
-Hmmmm, well, in any case, a good friend of mine will come today, maybe he can help you with that.
-Is it one of those brainwasher guys?
The Sister gave a little laugh.
-They are called Psychologists and no, his name is Takeshi Zen, he is a martial arts teacher, I told him about you and he is interested in knowing you, ¿What you say? ¿Want to meet him?
-Sister Margaret, you got me when you said "Karate"
…..
-How could I forget that was your doing too? The young man thought and smiled.
A few minutes later, the caretaker arrived, ready to start his work.
-Hey boy, I don't want to be insensitive, but I think you should go, it's time to bury her
(Silence)
-You hear me?
(Silence)
-It's okay. . . . If you want to stay but please do not bother us, this work is more difficult under the rain.
The Caretaker and a couple more helpers placed the coffin slowly inside the hole and with their shovels they started to fill it, they didn't take long to finish their work, once the work was done, they proceeded to leave, they also tried to talk with The little one once more time but he did not turn to see them. Not wanting to disturb the young man anymore, they left him alone. Brandon stared at the now filled hole, sighed, and said:
-You were with me until the end, the least I could do is to be with you to the end as well. . . Goodbye Sister Margaret
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brandon walked back to the Orphanage, the place where Sister Margaret wasn't anymore, once inside the building, he noticed how many children were crying the loss of their beloved Director, he started to stroke the heads of many little ones to comfort them but not he still wasn't sharing a tear yet, not that he didn't want to, he could be a stubborn child but in the end that what he was, a child; he wanted to cry, he wanted to show everyone how much it hurt to have lost the Sister too, he felt the tears in his eyes but they didn't come out, it was like if he had forgotten how to cry, after all, he had literally not cried for the last 5 years, the last day he cried was the day before entering the orphanage, the day he realized that crying did not solve anything. After all, I didn't matter how much he cry that day. . . SHE never came back Just as Sister Margaret would not come back either, so what was the point in crying?
…..
The boy entered his room, to his surprise it was empty except for one person, Sister Elizabeth, she saw him approaching him and I spoke:
-Brandon. . . Are you fine? Are you sure you do not want to talk about it?
-Don't worry Sister Elizabeth, I'm fine. I must admit that I'm still annoyed that he didn't tell me anything about her condition, but there's nothing I can do about it anymore, Sister Margaret is gone, we can't change that. We can only accept the fate as it is.
-Brandon. . . I told you about it, she did not to say anything because she didn't want you to worry, she wanted you to be focused on your competition
-I would not have gone there if she had told me that she could die at any moment.
-And in doing so, you would have taken her last death wish, she wanted to watch you compete, she left this world happy
-hmmmm, if you say so Sister, now if you excuse me, I must prepare before going to work. Sister Elizabeth immediately felt the world on her shoulders, she would definitely not enjoy what she was about to tell the white haired boy.
-Brandon. . . About that, I think you won't be able to get to your job.
-Uh? Why?
-You see. . . I think you deserve to be the first to know. .
….
It was a beautiful day in the Royal Woods community, the sun was coming out to announce a new day, a small 11 year old boy opened his eyes, a smile immediately formed in his face.
-Oh yeah! The first day of the summer vacations! He quickly dressed in his characteristic orange shirt, blue pants and white sport shoes, combed his white hair and proceeded to go to the kitchen to prepare the breakfast he, his parents and 10 sisters, he prepared the eggs and hotcakes just like all they liked them, after a short time, all his family came down to the kitchen and tasted the delicious food, they thanked him for the great breakfast, he was happy after hearing them say that, he really loved his sister so much.
-It scares me to think what my life would have been like without them –The young man thought and immediately joined his sisters for breakfast at the table. Everyone chatted and shared about how their summer vacation would be, starting with their annual trip to the mountains and recreational park of Royal Woods that same day, the LOUD brothers were very excited, 3 days of family fun, all together, leaving no one outside! It would be perfect!
…..
Right on the other side of the town, just as that perfect family breakfast took place, a school bus carrying several children between the ages of 10 and 13 years entered the village, all headed to their new temporary home, the Royal Woods Community Orphanage, amongs them was an 11-year-old boy, also with white hair but with a different fringe and a little fussy, he was lost in his thoughts, still recreating the events that took place a few hours earlier.
-But why Sister?" Why close the Orphanage?
-What happens is that our suppliers esteemed and trusted Sister Margaret to run this place, now that she is no longer with us, they have decided to stop supporting the place
-That seems to me a very cheap excuse! There are many competent Sisters who can take care of the place, they are only looking for excuses to no longer take care of all these homeless children here!
-Brandon, I tried to talk to them but the decision is already made. . . I am so sorry! I swear I had no idea
-I understand. . .but where will we all go, are there other orphanages near here?
Sister Elizabeth watched the young man in front of her, she didn't know how to tell him the next words, gathering all the courage he had, she spoke:
-I've already talked to some foster houses and Orphanages in other regions, for lack of space, everyone. . . will be transferred to those places randomly, the one you will go is 2 towns away from here
-What! But. .
-I'm sorry, Brandon, but it was the best I could do with so little anticipation
-But what will happen with my school!" My part time jobs, people know me here and trust me enough to employ me! Now you tell me that I must start from scratch somewhere else again?
-Brandon. . .I can asure you that I do not enjoy this at all but we have no other choice. . . and the buses are on their way to transfer you to your new ones homes. The white haired boy looked closely at the Sister in front of him, trying to process what she had just told him, he could not believe it. What was left of his world was literally falling apart, clenching his knuckles and looking at the sky, he said:
-You have to be kidding God!
Sister Elizabeth, after watching him. Immediately hugged him, even though he did not show it, he enjoyed that hug, he needed it.
-Brandon. . . I know that this looks bad and I know that now you will be very confused and scared, no child should go through this. . But believe me when I tell you that everything will be fine, the little ones will be fine, I know some of these places, they will have what they need, even you, I assure you that at least they will send you to a decent place The boy separated the embrace, watched the young woman in front of him and said:
-I thank you very much the gesture Sister, seriously but please do not tell me that everything will be fine, I'm literally losing everything I know and now I must go to a completely unknown place! Excuse me if I'm not jumping for joy now! But you know what? I'm going to get out of this! It's not like I have another choice, sometimes I really think life is against me! Always trying to screw me but it does not matter, I didn't come this far to throw the towel now.
-I understand Brandon and I'm happy to see you with that attitude, I only ask you to remember that there is no evil that for good does not come, who knows? Perhaps you will find something very special where you go
-To be honest, I doubt it very much, by the way, where will I go?
-To the Orphanage of the community of Royal Woods
-Royal Woods? Hmmmmm why that name gives me a strange feeling?
-The white haired boy thought. Sister Elizabeth then gave the child a little paper with something written on it.
-Here you have my email, if you need anything or at some point you feel alone or lost, do not hesitate to write me and if you can, try to make some friends there please The boy watched the sister for a few seconds, he and she were not even close to have the bond he had with Sister Margaret but even so, he could see that she genuinely cared for him, nodding his head, he answered:
-Ok Sister, even though; I don't promise anything, rarely in my life I have felt like that, loneliness has never been a problem for me, do not misunderstand me, it's good to have companions but I manage better working alone.
Although the little boy's response was full of security, Sister Elizabeth could not help feeling sad, she felt that it was not right for a boy to have such thoughts, no matter how independent he was, not wanting to push him any more, she wished him a good journey, praying inwardly that something or someone at Royal Woods could change the boy's heart.
…..
Within minutes of arriving at his new temporary home, the boy sitting on the bus was lost in his thoughts
-Hmmmm, a fresh start elsewhere, being completely honest, that does not sound as bad as it sounds but it will simply be so anoying! Meet new people who would employ me! Maybe a new school, different people and classmates, that is so problematic! Well, at least it's summer, I have this time to make myself known and who knows? maybe things have already improved when classes start
-The boy thought and kept looking through the window of the school bus. The vehicle arrived at it's destination, all the children came out, some excited, some curious, Brandon showed no emotion, he did not want to call undesirable attention. All entered the complex to meet the new Director. To be honest, she didn't seem like a bad person, very strict but not bad person. Each child was given daily assignments. Once the chores were given, the bigger boys like the white haired boy were also given permission to go out to know the neighborhood. Having nothing important else to do, Brandon left all his belongings in the communal bedroom and went out for a walk. Brandon walked for a long time, taking care not to get too far from the Orphanage, he still did not know the area and to get lost would be very problematic, all the people of Royal Woods seemed very kind, just like his old home. Something he noticed some people were watching him closely, as of they were studying him, he didn't put much importance to that. Surely they were just curious to see a new face in the neighborhood. By the time he got to a point where he thought he was already far enough away, Brandon had already mentally noted many homes with good opportunities, gardens high grass, families with pets, a mall in the distance. That meant Freelance jobs!
-I must admit this place promises a lot, maybe it will not take as much as I thought to start working.
-He thought very confident. Thanking Sister Elizabeth internally for her letter of Permission for the new Director who also gave her access to work part time as long as she did not interfere with her studies or work in the Orphanage. Much to his surprise, the sky that was already cloudy for a while, began to rain, probably one of the last rains of the season, quickly the boy put on his hood and walked back to his home.
...
-These will be the best vacations of a lifetime! -Lincoln Loud said inside the family van with his family, all of them they were on their way to their holiday destination.
-Yes! I can't wait to explore the place! -Lynn answered excitedly.
-Or go to the bathroom in the woods! -Lana added.
-Ugh! How disgusting, You don't need to do that Lana! There are cabins with bathrooms where we are going! -Lola immediately responded
All the other girls and boy laughed at the discussions of the Loud twins, the parents Rita and Lynn Sr were also very entertained next to the baby Lily, suddenly they all noticed the sky starting to rain.
-Oh no! I hope this is not going to wet the vacations! hahahahaha! Get it? -Luan joked, but they all just sighed in annoyance
-Don't worry, it will surely pass quickly and the rainy season is over, it must be no more than a coincidence -Lori assured her to her brother and sisters.
Vanzilla was almost out of the Royal Woods area, it stopped in a corner by the red light, while all the Loud brothers were in their own business or playing, Leni was watching out the window, not very excited about the trip. She noticed a boy walking next to the van and stopping at the same corner just next to her, because of his height, he could be the age of his brother Lincoln, it was difficult to know when his face was hidden by the hood protecting his head from the rain. Strangely this boy caught her attention, as if there was something familiar in him, to her surprise, he turned to see her. He raised his hood a little to be able to have eye contact with the girl, the face of the 16-year-old girl immediately change from curious to surprised, the boy just raised an eyebrow, turned his gaze back to his path and quickly lowered his Hood.
-Strange Girl- the little boy thought and kept walking when he saw that it was a pedestrians' turn to pass. The family van also continued with her journey, Leni stayed there, even watching that boy from a distance until he was lost in the distance, after that, she just stayed there in her place, very confused. Lori looked at her and said
-Leni, what is it?
-What?- Asked the younger sister.
-You've been so thoughtful for a while, which is very rare considering. . . You do not do it often, is something wrong?
-No, It's nothing, I'm just surprised that there is a boy with the same face of our brother Lincoln
-What?- Everybody inside the van screamed surprised.