Once the papers were signed and I was officially no longer an orphan, I was given a small garbage bag of random things to take to my placements house. On the walk out of the orphanage, I could vaguely hear Susan chattering away, something about getting to know me, where I came from and menial details like my birthday.
No one knew when my birthday was. I don't have memory of a life before the Keepers got me, I don't remember a family, or friends, I don't remember if I ever even had my own room. Susan decided that my birthday would be December 24th. She said it was because the day before Christmas was always the most exciting and she was so excited to have me in the family.
They'd been trying for another baby for 7 years, to no avail. She said I completed their family. She gained a daughter, I gained an entire world. My new brother was 9. Beautiful chocolate colored eyes with tousled brown hair. His grin was enough to light an entire room. They were perfectly straight except the one tooth in the front, which turned slightly in, giving him a boyish charm.
The house was astounding. A long, winding driveway with the house set far back on a large acreage. Big carved statues lead the way through steel gates. I found them rather unsettling, their large bulging eyes, most depicted some kind of creature. On the path to the house was wide open forests, large cedars perfectly placed throughout the lawn. Fruit trees scattering apples, pears and plums under their large and impressive leaf awnings.
My excitement grew, knowing I would be frockling in the woods here, eating fresh fruit and laying under the sun. The structure of the house was impressive. It felt like a castle of old. Huge archways, cobblestone paving, large windows. I could see inside the living room from outside the house and it felt like endless wealth emanated from this building. It made me wonder about who this family was, what they did and how I was expected to fit in here.
Susan's husband was called William, and their sons name was Gage. They seemed like the picture perfect family. I definitely didn't belong here, but I wasn't about to let them know that. Maybe I could build a life here, maybe I could be someone.
The car stopped right in front of the doors and before I could get out, the large house doors opened and some strange men dressed in black and white rushed to the car, opening doors, grabbing luggage and bowing nervously. How odd.
"Eliza, come now, the butlers will bring your bag and we will show you to your new room! We hope you enjoy how we decorated but if not, we can change it in a jiffy!" Susan's voice had a beautiful lilt to it, putting me right at ease. Is it just me, or do her green eyes swirl in the light of the day? Rapidly blinking to clear my head, she winked at me, and took my arm, leading me inside the house.
Wide eyed, I couldn't stop stating as my steps halted once we got inside. Wide staircases went up both sides of the hallway, twisting one each to the left and right. Gruesome paintings depicting people eating people showed a tragic story with each step up the left staircase. The staircase on the right featured some kind of demonic vs angelic scenes. I was intensely curious as to why this family chose this specific art, but I wasn't brave enough to ask. Just as Susan began to lead me up the right staircase, Gage came racing inside, screaming of his excitement, whooping and hollering up the left staircase, presumably to his room. I laughed at his joy and Susan told me he was so excited I was here.
She led me the rest of the way to my room, pointing just down the hall to where Gages room was. The big Golden door right in the middle of the staircases was her room she shared with William. Apparently it was designed so each child could be within arms reach from them should they feel scared in the night.
My room had an ancient key and lock system, turning with a loud click as she opened the door. Inside was painted a pastel shade of pink, a big 4 post bed sat near the window facing the East wall. A small desk neatly organized with some books and drawing pencils sat on the right side. Beautiful shelves lined the walls, filled with all sorts of landscape paintings. My breath caught in my throat as I made my way to the closet. Susan placed my garbage bag on the bed and unpacked two t-shirts and one pair of ripped jeans with sadness in her eyes.
She took my hand and opened the closet with me, revealing rows and rows of clothes of all colors, shapes and sizes. And shoes! I'd never owned a pair that fit my feet properly. The pair I shared at the orphanage were so small, my feet constantly bleed from the blisters.
Her eyes shone bright with tears as she held my hands and sat with me on the floor.
"You're safe here, Eliza. I don't know who your family was, or what was done to you but I promise we will be the family you always dreamt of."
For the moment, I actually believed her.