Chapter 9. Enjoy The Tour.
Sam had to admit to himself that when he had first seen the old orphanage he had been a little disappointed at how old and run down the place looked but he had been pleasantly surprised when he had walked through the big wooden double front doors and into the foyer. The place still looked old on the inside but not really run down. In fact it actually looked quite nice inside. Like some of the nice old historical buildings he had seen.
The foyer wasn't all that large and the first thing you saw as you walked in were wooden stairs situated to the right, against the wall. The polished floorboards looked nice against the old white wallpaper.
Once everyone was inside Mr. Graham explained that the boys and girls were going to be split up between the 12 to 15 year olds and the 16 to 18 year olds. He had given everyone 10 minutes to put their things away and meet back in the foyer.
Mr. Joe Taylor and Miss Northam had taken everyone up the stairs where they were greeted with what looked like another foyer, which had three doors in it. He had explained that the door to the right lead to the two rooms that the four teachers were going to stay in. That area also housed their own bathroom and hallway closet.
The door straight ahead lead to the girl's rooms and bathroom and the door to the left led to the boy's rooms and bathrooms. From that point onward Mr. Taylor had taken the boys through to their rooms while Miss Northam had done the same with the girls.
Once entering the door they were faced with a long hallway. Mr. Taylor had directed the younger boys to the first room and the older boys to the room at the end of the hallway since it was smaller and there was less boys in that group. Their shared bathroom was in the middle of the two rooms
The room they had been assigned to was bigger than what Sam had expected and housed eight bunk beds. Sam and Daniel had both ran to one bunk bed that was next to the front window, Daniel allowing Sam the top bunk. Mike and Matt picked the bunk next to theirs and began arguing about who was going to get the top. There had been a lot of chatter as all the other kids chose where they were going to be sleeping.
He found himself wondering how Dean was doing, whether he was already hating him for making him come along. He hoped that Dean might actually enjoy himself. That's exactly what he planned to do.
"I'm on the top bunk," Mike argued, trying to climb up on it to prove his point only to be pulled back down by Matt.
"Why should you get it?"
"Because I'm older!"
"By what? Like a month. Dude, that doesn't mean anything."
Sam and Daniel looked at each other and rolled their eyes and their friend's childish behavior.
"Why don't you flip for it?" Daniel asked trying to break up the argument.
Mike looked at him as if he was stupid, "Where am I supposed to get a coin from doofus?"
"I dunno … it was just a suggestion."
"How about you play rock, paper, scissors?" Sam asked jumping down from his bunk.
Mike and Matt looked at each other for a moment and then shrugged there shoulders muttering, "Okay."
Sam watched as both boys began the game. He was almost regretting suggesting it when it was a draw every time.
"Yes!" Matt exclaimed when Mike's rock finally lost to his paper.
"There it's final. Matt gets the top bunk," Daniel announced, making it official.
"This sucks," Mike complained, dumping his bag on the bottom bed.
Sam looked down at his watch and realized that it was about time that they headed downstairs to meet Mr. Graham in the foyer.
"Come on guys we better get downstairs before Mr. Graham has a coronary," he told them already heading for the door.
Dean wasn't too impressed that he had been separated from Sam. How was he supposed to keep an eye on him at all times when he wasn't even sleeping in the same room? He had been pretty quiet ever since walking into the building and then being sent off to their room, taking it all in. He was glad to see that the inside, although clearly old, didn't look as creepy as the outside did.
Jay had picked a bunk that was next to a window which Dean had been grateful for. Ever since coming to this place he had felt a little closed in and being near a window would feel a lot better, he hoped anyway.
Now that the students had all been split into groups he could tell that not only was Dane accompanying them on this trip but one his merry men had come along as well. Dane and Kyle had picked a bunk on the other side of the room thankfully. It wasn't bad enough that he had to put up with those morons for a whole month but he also had to share a small room with them and six other guys, not including him and Jay.
Jay had claimed the top bunk which left Dean with the bottom. He dropped his bag to the floor and pushed it under the bed and then placed his back pack on the mattress. He looked over to the other side of the room when he heard a ruckus and saw that it was only Dane and Kyle being their usual loud obnoxious selves.
"This is gonna be fun huh?" Jay quipped when he noticed what had caught Dean's attention.
"Tons,"
"Let's get downstairs before Graham has another reason to tell you off."
Dean followed Jay as he made his way out of the room. Both boys were stopped short when they saw two figures blocking the doorway.
"Where do you think your going?" Dane asked with a smartass look that Dean just wanted to wipe off, on his face.
"Just get out the way Dane," Jay answered and tried to shove past the other boy.
Dane shoved him back making him bump into Dean, "Why should we let ya?"
"Yeah," Kyle added.
"Dane," Dean drawled out, "We're not looking for trouble now move before I have to move you myself."
Dane smirked, "I'd like to see you try tough guy."
Dean snorted. They hadn't even been here a day and already he was getting annoyed, "Don't tempt me, now move." Dean said pushing past Jay, intent on shoving past the two jocks.
Dane pushed him back slightly enough for Dean's temper, which wasn't good at the best of times, to flare up.
"I'm warning you Baker," Dean told him menacingly.
"Is there a problem here boys?" Mr. Taylor asked, coming to stand behind Dane and Kyle.
"No Sir, just getting to know these two a little better," Dane answered turning to smile at the young gym teacher.
Joe looked at him skeptically and then looked at Dean and Jay, "boys?"
Dean remained silent, letting his temper simmer down. After a beat Jay realized that Dean wasn't about to say anything, "No Sir No problem," He answered for both of them.
"Okay well you better get downstairs, Mr. Graham will be waiting."
Kyle smirked once more at Dean and Jay, then turned around and headed down the long hallway, Kyle following in his wake.
Once the two boys were gone Joe looked back at Dean and Jay and saw that Dean's face seemed calm once again, "Dean?"
Dean looked at the teacher when he heard him speak his name. He didn't mind Mr. Taylor. Unlike most of the teachers at their school he was younger, probably around Caleb's age but unlike the hunter he had short blonde hair. He taught Dean's gym class. It was one of the class's Dean did enjoy because it gave him a chance to be active, instead of sitting in a classroom all day. Besides Dean found that he was really good at sport, probably because of all the training his Dad put in through.
"It's all good Sir," Dean answered and gave the teacher a confident smile.
"If you have any trouble with them boys please come to me or one of the other teachers first," Joe warned.
"Sure," Jay answered.
"Okay you better get downstairs too," Joe told them after a moment.
Dean and Jay made a hasty retreat as soon as Mr. Taylor told them to go. Dean appreciated that Mr. Taylor wanted to help but he had never known anything to come of going to a teacher about a problem with other kids. Nothing ever got done about it so he found it a lot more effective to deal with bullies his own way.
As Dean and Jay made their way down the corridor they saw Sam and his friends coming out of their room. They caught up to them as they reached the top of the stairs and Dean reached out and clipped his brother on the back of the head.
"Owe," Sam explained rubbing the back of his head, "What was that for?"
"It's my brotherly right," Dean teased as he and Jay pushed past the four younger boys.
"Jerk,"
"Bitch,"
He could hear a couple of snickers coming from Sam's friends as he reached the bottom of the stairs and could hear Jay chuckle next to him.
Sam scowled at the back of his brother's head as he followed his brother down the stairs. /great/ he thought /he's already trying to embarrass me/. Once he and his friends got to the bottom of the stairs he could see that most of the students had gathered in the foyer already. His brother was slouched against the wall quietly talking to Jay.
He watched as that same blonde girl that he had seen Dean and Jay talking to earlier walked up to the boys. Sam could tell straight away that the girl obviously had a thing for his brother and from the looks of things Dean appeared to be oblivious, most probably because the girl wasn't really his brother's type. Well she didn't look much like the girls he had previously seen his brother go for. Sam actually thought that she was kind of pretty but he could imagine that she probably looked like a bit of a geek to his brother.
Sam followed his friends over to an area not far away from where Dean was standing and waited for everyone to show up. It didn't take long and soon Mr. Graham was standing in front of everyone.
"Okay people first off we are going to take a look around so everyone knows where everything is. So if you'll just follow me I'll show you around."
As soon as he finished talking he made his way through the crowed of students, opening the door on the right side of the foyer. Upon entering the room Sam saw that it was about the size of an average lounge room, probably a bit bigger than Pastor Jim's. In one corner there was an old tattered pool table. He looked in his brother's direction and saw that Dean actually looked interested at seeing the pool table. In the other corner there were two couches and a coffee table in between them.
"This is the recreation room. You'll have access to this during the evenings and your free time. There is plenty of books and other things to keep you entertained," Mr. Graham said as he gestured to the walls that were lined with shelved books.
Sam felt Dean move closer to him, "Dude there's not even a TV here," he whispered to Sam.
Sam rolled his eyes, "well we're not here to watch TV man."
"Remind me why we are here again?"
"Shut up," Sam whispered back.
"And through this door we have the dining hall," Mr. Graham announced as he opened the door in the far right hand corner of the recreation room.
The next room was much bigger than the first one. Almost as big as the drama room back at the school. In it there were four big dining tables. Just like the rest of the house it had polished floor boards and white wallpaper. Other than the tables there wasn't much else in the room that was of any interest. Some pictures here or there but that was about it.
As Sam was gazing around the room when the door on the other side of the room opened and an older looking woman stepped out of it.
"You must be Mrs. Chipshaw," Mr. Graham greeted shaking the woman's hand.
"Indeed, welcome."
"People, Mrs. Chipshaw works in the kitchen here. She'll be making our meals."
"The kitchen is off limits to the students," she announced.
Dean had had no idea that there were actual people working at the old orphanage. He thought she looked like a typical old school teacher with the long dress, grey hair tied into a bun and glasses sitting at the tip of her nose. She gave him the creeps.
"Thank you Mrs. Chipshaw."
"Enjoy the rest of your tour."
Mr. Graham nodded to the old woman and then looked back at the group of kids that were whispering quietly to themselves.
"Okay people follow me."
Sam watched as Mr. Graham walked to the remaining door in the left hand corner of the room and walk through it. Following everyone through Sam was greeted with what was unmistakably a classroom, a very large classroom. There were tables and chairs situated in an almost semi circle with additional rows in the middle and at the head of the classroom sat a big black board. He turned to look at Dean and saw the pained expression on his big brothers face. The older boy leaned forward so that Sam could hear him.
"You never said anything about classrooms Sammy."
"Do you ever pay attention?" Sam hissed back
"School holidays are for exactly that, holidaying. Not school work."
Sam just shrugged. He remembered telling his brother what was going to happen at camp but as usual Dean hadn't paid attention.
"Are you gonna bitch the whole month?" Sam asked quietly.
"Hell yeah," Dean replied.
"Yes this is a classroom and we will be doing some work in here." Mr. Graham explained looking in Dean and Sam's direction, obviously not happy with the boys having their own little conversation.
Sam stomped on his big brothers foot, silently telling him to shut up and causing him to muffle a curse.
"Okay children follow me outside," Mr. Graham ordered, heading for the back door that was situated in the left hand corner of the classroom.
Sam sighed and silently thanks Jay for pulling his brother along with him, striking up a conversation, finally getting him off Sam's case.
"Is he always like that?" Daniel asked, giving a small laugh.
"Pretty much,"
"Seems like a pain in the ass," Matt commented coming up to walk alongside both boys.
Sam laughed at that, "Yeah he can be but I'm sure he'd say the same thing about me."
"That's what brother's are for," Daniel joked, "he doesn't seem that bad though."
"I guess he's okay."
Dean was not happy. First he was missing out on his hunt, then he finds out there is no TV and then he sees the classroom. He should have expected it and if he thought about it Sam did probably warn him about the school work side of things but it still irked him anyway.
Walking out side the first thing that Dean saw was four small clothes lines lined up next to a smaller building. Looking to his right he was surprised to see what looked like a mini forest. There was small path leading into the plant life and the place didn't look very much alive.
"That small building over there…" Mr. Graham said pointing to the small building Dean had looked at before, "… is the laundry house. Everyone here is expected to do their own laundry."
"The small forest you see to you left is out of bounds," he said gesturing to the tree line, "Under no circumstances are you to go in there."
"What's in there?" a young student up the front of the group asked.
"Mrs. Chipshaw lives in a cabin down that path. She is also the caretaker of this place. No-one is to go in there, do you understand?"
He got a bunch of "Yes Sir's" for his answer.
"Now there is a lake over the other side of the property and a basketball court on the other side of the building," Mr. Graham told them pointing in the opposite direction of the forest.
Dean looked over in the direction the teacher was pointing and sure enough he could make out a small lake. Next to the lake there was a small shed and a bigger building that looked more like a barn. Both looked like they had seen better days.
"Lunch will be in 1 hour so you're free to look around if you want. But just remember the kitchen and forest are out of bounds."
Dean sighed and put his hands in his jean pockets. Jay looked at him, "You want to go check out the basketball court?" he asked.
"Sure why not," he answered.
The two boys started to make there way across the grass to the side of the building. As they passed Sam and his friends Dean reached out and ruffled Sam's hair knowing that he wouldn't want to be treated like a kid in front of his friends.
"Behave ya self Sammy," he quipped then kept walking, causing Jay to give a little laugh.
"Bite me Dean," Sam fired back at Dean's retreating form.
"Jerk," Sam muttered to himself.
Daniel looked on amused, "Come on guys lets go check out the lake."
"Yeah, hey last one there is a girl, "Mike said and took off running, Matt hot on his heels.
Sam and Daniel took one quick look at each other and took off in a sprint after the two other boys, Sam's embarrassment already forgotten.
TBC ...
Hope that wasnt too bad ... I spent a little bit of time before actually writing this chapter sketching out on some paper the 1st, 2nd floors and grounds of the orphanage on paper so i had an idea in my head of what the place was like lol Dont worry I havent forgotten about John and Caleb ... they'll be up next chapter :-) please review and let me know what you think :-)