Eavesdropping

Anabelle finally arrives to her destined place.

For years, I had the same occurring dream. I might have dismissed it as a simple illusion of my unconscious mind, but it was so vivid and beautiful that I couldn't help but remember it. The events changed from time to time, but the people always remained the same. Except they weren't people.

 One, for instance, was a young girl my age with silky black curls running down the length of her face. What was so peculiar about her was that she was a mermaid. Where she should've had legs, she had fins, with shiny scales the color of peach. In one dream, the girl, or mermaid, invited me to take a swim with her. Clear as an HD TV, I could see the immensity of the blue sea and the corals of all colors that grew on the ocean's ground. We swam carelessly forgetting about everything until I realized I had fins, too!  

There was another one, this time a boy, my age, too, but he had perfect strong legs. Sprouting from his back, though, were a beautiful pair of wings, which he used to fly around in a green luscious forest he had confessed to me was his home. In one occasion, the boy let me touch his wings after I had commented on them. They were very soft. I remember having looked up at his blue eyes. He was very handsome. Prominent features, especially his eyes, and blond flawless hair. His skin white as the sun. 

Every time I dreamt with them, I wished I could never awaken. It was a mystery to me how I knew I was dreaming. Every time I awoke, I would be struck with the harsh and dark reality of my life. Every time I was awake, I longed to be with them.

******

"Miss Anabelle? Miss Anabelle."

I opened my eyes only to realize the chauffeur  staring at me through the opened door. 

"We're here," he said and straightened up to let me out. I hesitated in my seat. I wasn't ready to meet my new home. But it was too late. There was nothing I could do now.

With heavy resignation, I climbed out of the limousine. Once out, I kept my gaze to the ground. My heart was racing and my hands were sweating. I took a deep breath. Slowly but surely, I lifted my eyes until I was looking straight unto Greenwich Academy.

I didn't know much about architecture and styles, but I could easily guess that the amazing building in front of me was gothic. But not dark and scary gothic. More like majestical. In front of us, there was a fountain of an angel. The driveway wound around it. Past the fountain, there were marble steps that led to a veranda on which stood a tall slender woman. She had pale skin that matched her hair and grey eyes. From were I stood, she looked to be in her mid-fifties. Behind her, I saw tall immense wooden doors that led into the academy. 

"This way, Miss Anabelle," the chauffeur said, motioning me to walk around the fountain and towards the woman. She had a motherly look in her eyes, but an elegant way to her body.

"Welcome, Anabelle, to Greenwich Academy," she said while she signaled to the building behind her. "I'm Mrs. Hickums, your guidance counselor. It is an honor to have you join our academy. You will find it very pleasant here, I can assure you." She had an English accent, and for some reason, I couldn't help but feel a bit more comfortable knowing she was my guidance counselor.      

To the chauffeur she said,"Mr. Elmwood, please carry the girl's  luggage to her room." Mr. Elmwood nodded and disappeared behind the front doors. 

"You must be tired, darling. Come, I'll show you to your room." We walked towards the entrance side by side. She put a hand protectively behind my back. I would have recoiled to the touch of a stranger, but it was strange how I felt I could trust her.

The first thing past the front doors was the entrance hallway. In the center, hanging from the ceiling was a glittery crystal chandelier, and right below it, a vase with red and pink roses over a floral mantel on top of a round wooden table. To the sides were two sets of stairs that caved up towards the second level, shaping an oval in between. They were marble like the ones outside, but had a red carpet with golden rims running down the middle. We climbed one set of stairs, the ones to the left, and turned left into a carpeted hallway that ran down the length of the west side of the building. We walked all the way down until we reached the last door.

She removed her hand from my back and dug into her skirt's pocket, and took out a set of keys. I figured she was also the house keeper. She unlocked the door and we entered.

"This is your room Anabelle," she said. I had the intention of dropping my mouth in amazement, but decided not to, but I still couldn't keep from looking around with wide eyes. The room was a faded pink. It was big and spacious. Against one wall, there was a tall oak bed with more pink sheets and pillows. In front of it was a lit chimney that cast a yellowish light over the room. On the floor was a golden carpet that was plush and fluffy. The floor wasn't pink, though. It was wooden. 

"You have a bathroom all to yourself and your closet is right behind that door," Mrs. Hickums suddenly said. I had forgotten about her."You will wear a uniform like the one you see there"- she pointed at the bed-"from Monday to Friday. That one has already been laid for you. There's five sets in your closet, one for everyday of the week, so you don't have to worry about using the same one."

I walked towards the clothes on the bed. There was a complete uniform with a black hat, skirt, coat, shiny shoes, and a lace. The buttoned blouse was white and so where the socks. I had never seen, let alone used, such an expensive looking uniform in my life.

"You don't have to wear the coat inside, only on chilly days. I'll have one of the girls teach you how to use the lace. Well, you may rest for now. I will call you up for dinner. By then, I expect you to be ready. Welcome once again, darling." She turned to the door.

"Mrs. Hickums?" I called after her. My voice was rasp. I hadn't spoken in a while. 

"Yes?"

"When will I see Mr. Jensen?" I asked. I could have asked her anything else, but I was bothered that Mr. Jensen hadn't showed up to greet me.

"Ah, yes, the headmaster. You will be meeting with him for dinner along with the other students."

"Won't he be coming up to see me?"

"He's a very busy man, but I'm sure he'll call you up to his office when he can," she said and then left the room, leaving me all by myself.

I walked around, stopping at the only window in the room that overlooked the back yard. Sitting on a bench were two girls in uniform that conversed to each other. I stared at them with curiosity for a while, when suddenly, they turned their heads and stared back at me. I quickly moved out of the window, embarrassed. 

I looked around the room again making myself familiar with it. Well, at least I tried. Ever since I was separated from my mother, the world turned a mighty stranger. I climbed the bed and just sat there hugging my knees and closing my eyes. I couldn't cry. I had given up on crying long time ago. Most of the time I just got angry when I felt like crying.

I had thought many times before of running away from home, and then many more after I was taken by the social worker, but they had me so well secured, I couldn't find a way. 

Now's my chance, I thought. I got off the bed and ran to the door. I stopped to open the door cautiously, hoping no one was in the hallway. I stuck my head out and peeked, only to find that the hallway empty. I got out and began tiptoeing my way out just the like I had come in. I was close to the stairs, when I heard voices from somewhere. I considered dashing back to my room, but I didn't see anyone coming. I then realized the voices were coming from behind the door that was right in front of me. I stretched my neck out as far as possible, but not quite touching the door. At first, the voices were just a jumble of sounds, but after a few seconds they got clearer. 

"Poor thing, she looked so broken. I heard Mr. Jensen say that she had had a tough life," a girl said.

"Haven't we all," another girl said, but her voice was deeper than the first.

"Yes, but this one's different. Anabelle- yeah, I think that's her name- was born to really, really poor parents. Her father was a huge masochist and kept them under control. I think he tried to kill her once along with her mom and sister. I heard, although I don't know if it's true, that Anabelle herself called the social worker-Ow!" she suddenly groaned. "What did you throw me that for?"

"You just can't keep your nose out of other people's business."

"This is my business. This is our business now that she's here. Or have you forgotten that it is our duty as Belkians to ensure that everyone reaches their full potential by supporting each other? And I, for one, will help her." 

I heard someone stand on their feet and decided to head back to my room. What was I thinking? I couldn't escape. I had no money and I didn't know anybody here that could lend me a hand. 

I closed the door and slumped to the floor. The conversation I heard just a moment ago had confused me. How did they know all that about me? And was 'Belkians' what they called themselves here at the academy? 

So many things had happened to me in such a few time that I doubted I could keep on. I climbed the bed again, letting it envelope me in it's comfort. I closed my eyes and let a heavy darkness fall over me.

Author's Note

Hello! I want to thank everyone that reviewed this chapter. I made a few modifications. Hopefully, I was able to make the chapter better. If you think something is still out of place, please point it out. I really, really, really appreciate your reviews. Thanks so much!!

Reviews

[Katie]

I actually like longer chapters, helps give more of a feel for the story and gives the reader plenty to read instead of short, choppy chapters. I liked it, just a few places I felt that could be cleaned up slightly but overall I enjoyed the chapter. You've added quite a bit more suspense into the story as well as describing the building wonderfully. Good job.

[Havatara]

I didn't see anything that was out of place. I like where the story was going and I can't wait to see what you do with it. I think I might know, but I'm not sure yet. I'll keep reading. Great job and keep writing!

[James Watts]

So far you have escaped two things that have become my peeves over the years. Multiple punctuation and the overabundance of the -ly adverb(my biggest on -ly's is in dialogue attribution)
This chapter is longer, and I like that. A little polish needed around the edges but this not a bad piece. As it is still early on in the book I have no real complaints.

[Dutch Jr.]

Nice chapter, but as said before by other reviewers, can use soe tightening up, loosening of your dialogue, etc. But you're putting together quite an interesting story here, will get to chapter three a little later on today.

[SamBug]

Still very good. I liked this a lot. Some parts are a little rough, but hey, I know what that feels like as a fellow book writer myself. Just remember one thing, revise, revise, and revise some more and that helps. Trust me, I know. I have to read through all of my things over and over again until I feel it is perfect! But other than that, I think this is a really good story going on and it has tons of potential!!!!