I felt peace, the peace I hadn't felt in years. Miss Cathy's promise made me feel secure. For once, I felt safe and happy. She promised she would never abandon me, and I know she's not going to break her promise. This makes me happy. I feel elated. The voices were gone. My mind was at rest, and I had no worries.
I stood up from my bed and sang, "There's nothing to worry about, nothing to fear, nothing to run away from, no doubts, no frights. Everything is okay. Everything's alright. I'm gonna be fine..." Singing this song made me feel sad for a while because my mom used to sing this song to me every time I was afraid, especially when I had nightmares. She would lift me up in her arms, and with her beautiful and soothing voice, she would sing this song. I would smile and gaze at her beautiful face. But my sadness vanished, and I felt happy again. It was truly the assurance I always wanted.
I rushed out of my room, grabbed Josephine by the arm, and pulled her outside onto the lawn. I said to her, "Let's have some fun..." She looked at me in surprise, but I wasn't shocked. I knew what she would be thinking: "Have I gone nuts? Why the sudden change of behavior? I never go out to play, no matter what, but today I pulled her out?"
I said to her, "Wait here, sis. I'll go get the others..." I rushed inside and grabbed Ramsey and dragged them out to play. Miss Cathy watched from a distance, and a faint smile appeared on her face. She was happy to see me happy.
As we played on the lawn, two men and a woman, all dressed in black suits, arrived. One was holding a green folder in his hands, and the other was carrying a briefcase. I and the others looked at them, wondering who they were.
The orphanage had no gates, so it was open to anybody. The building wasn't so big either. It was painted in a faded yellowish color, the outer walls had slight cracks, and the roof was almost pulling out. So, whenever it rained, the entire orphanage would be flooded. In all, the orphanage was in a bad state. I wondered why Miss Cathy never renovated it.
The three of them entered. The lady amongst them walked up to me, and I drifted away a little bit. But she said, "Don't be afraid, dear. We're only here to help. Won't you give me a hug?" I nodded my head in disagreement, and then she tried to make another move towards me. I ran inside the building, and Josephine and the others followed suit.
I went in and pulled Miss Cathy out and told her about the people who were standing outside. She immediately stepped out to see who they were. I clung unto her as she stepped out.
As soon as she saw them, she whispered into my ear and told me to go inside. I looked at her, wondering why she said so, but she just smiled, and I simply had to obey.
Miss Cathy spoke to the visitors outside for quite a huge amount of time. I peeped through the front door trying to hear a little of what they discussed. But the arrogant Jessy pulled my ear and dragged me into my room. I stamped my feet on the ground as she pulled me, but she didn't hesitate. She even intensified the force.
The others laughed as I protested, and I couldn't help but join them. I sat alone in my room, my thoughts still on the discussion going outside, but I averted my focus from that. "Miss Cathy will handle it..." I said.
I took out a pen and a paper, I decided to draw a portrait of Miss Cathy as a thank you gift for all she has done. I seriously wished and hoped the happiness I felt would never end.
The day passed by quickly, the portrait I made was ready but Miss Cathy was nowhere to be seen. She didn't step out for lunch and for dinner, I wondered if she was feeling alright. I thought of asking Jessy but I knew she would give me an angry look and then shout at me so I didn't ask her. However, Josephine tried her luck but as I predicted the angry look appeared on her face. She glared angrily at Josephine and didn't even reply to the question asked.
I just waited and hoped Miss Cathy would step out soon enough to see the picture I drew. We finished dinner and we all retired for the night. Miss Cathy's face was nowhere in sight. Of course, I couldn't sleep. I twisted and turned on my bed, the piece of paper in my hands. "What has happened, where is Miss Cathy..." were the questions that flew through my mind.
I stood up from my bed and slowly stepped out of my room. I stealthily made my way to Miss Cathy's bedroom. I wanted to see if she was there. I placed my ears on her door and leaned in closely. I heard no noise. I said to myself, "Maybe she's sleeping..." I turned away slightly and then I heard voices from within the room. I leaned in closely to hear what was being said and who was speaking.
I heard Jessy's voice then Miss Cathy's. "Ma'am, what are we going to do? What's the next step..." Jessy said. "I honestly don't know, Jessy. I don't know what to do. They said we have to make some renovations and the state of the building is in chaos. They asked about the children's health and how they've been coping. I told them all is well, but they weren't buying it. They questioned several things. They asked why no adoption has taken place and why we have no intake. They questioned food supply and other things. Jessy, they left saying they would withdraw funds and shut down the orphanage if things don't change.
"What are we going to do now, ma'am? I think we should consider sending out the kids for adoption, ma'am. It's the only way out..." Jessy said.
"Jessy, what are you saying? These children are my life. I can't send them away..." "It's the only option we have, either one of them leaves or all of them. You have to make a decision, ma'am..."
"Jessy... Mia..." Immediately I heard my name, I slowly fell backwards. My heartbeat increased rapidly. It felt like the world around me was spinning. I ran back to my room and threw myself on the bed. Tears dropped down my eyes. "Miss Cathy is going to send me away..." I said as I wept silently. "She's going to send me away. I don't want to go... I don't want to go..."
I started hitting my face on the bed, my tears soaking the foam I lay on. I took the picture I drew and stared at it for a while. My hands trembled as I held the picture in my hand. "Why, Miss Cathy, why? You said we would be together. You said you will always love me... Why do you want to send me away? Am I a witch? Why don't people love me..." As I said these things, I drifted into slumber, the picture still firmly in my hands.