Go For Gold

Chapter One

“Line up!” Miss Grimshaw, the matron, bellowed, her voice reverberating through the corridor, her glossy red lips twisted in a bitter sneer. Chloe hurried down the worn, creaky staircase and joined the line, her fingers intertwining with Harper’s, their hands warm and clammy.

“Eyes front!” Miss Grimshaw demanded, her voice piercing the air like a sharp, icy gust of wind, jolting all the girls to attention. Harper playfully tickled Chloe’s palm with her finger, causing her to stifle the giggles bubbling up inside her.

The matron sauntered down the line, the dim sunlight filtering through the dusty, cracked windows, casting a crooked shadow of her against the peeling wallpapered wall. Her piercing eyes, as dark as midnight, bore into every girl, revealing a sense of mystery and untold secrets. With her gnarled, ice-cold fingers, she meticulously adjusted their clothes and straightened their hair, each touch unsettling and stiff.

Chloe held her breath, fixating her gaze on the faded wallpaper, its peeling edges exposing the worn-out layers beneath. Afraid of the girls’ tale of a werewolf curse, she didn’t dare meet Miss Grimshaw’s intense gaze, fearing that her eyes held a power to turn anyone who looked into them into a beast under the next full moon.

Miss Grimshaw’s icy fingers grazed her face as she tucked strands of stray hair behind her ear, sending an eerie chill down Chloe’s spine. Her grip on Harper’s hand tightened, a desperate search for comfort against the wave of the matron’s perfume; a sickeningly sweet, almost rotten smell that made her wrinkle her nose.

She tried to hold it in, but a sudden, uncontrollable sneeze erupted from her, its force directed right into the matron’s face. Miss Grimshaw’s face twisted into a grotesque parody of feline rage, her features contorting with a disgust so profound it seemed to emanate a foul odor as she frantically wiped the phlegm from her face. The weight of the matron’s displeasure pressed down on Chloe, her knees trembling with a mix of fear and dread at the inevitable confrontation.

Just as Chloe thought her fate was sealed, the heavy wooden front doors swung open, their loud creaking sound filling the air, saving her from the impending punishment. All eyes turned towards the entrance, their gazes fixated on the newcomers.

“Eyes front!” the matron demanded, her voice sharp and commanding, causing the girls to startle. Miss Grimshaw hurried towards the entering couple, their hushed whispers carrying through the corridor like a distant melody. Chloe held her breath, her heart pounding in her chest, as the couple walked down the aisle, accompanied by the matron’s introductions of each girl. With each slow step, the woman’s heels clacked rhythmically on the polished floor, their shadows stretching long and distorted in the fading light.

Chloe’s breath quickened, her pulse racing, as the couple finally stood before her. In a desperate attempt, Chloe risked a quick, pleading look, her eyes welling with unshed tears that reflected her longing, a look Harper called her “puppy dog face.” The couple gazed back at her, their eyes filled with admiration, igniting a flicker of hope within her heart. The man’s peculiar bridged nose cast a shadow on his weathered face. His large eyes, like two orbs, scanned Chloe’s face with curiosity, their piercing gaze sending shivers down her spine. The woman’s dark eyes, shimmering with secrets, reflected the dim light in the room. Her sleek dark hair, pulled back tightly, accentuated her smooth forehead, adding to her enigmatic allure. The faint scent of her perfume lingered in the air, a tantalizing aroma that hinted at her striking presence.

“What is your name?” The woman asked, her touch gentle as a soft summer breeze as she caressed Chloe’s cheek.

“Chloe,” the matron spat, her voice dripping with icy disdain.

“Does she have a last name?” The woman inquired, her tone gentle, as if inviting Chloe to share more of herself.

“Name her as you please,” the matron stated firmly, her voice bouncing off the chilly stone walls. “I found her on the steps in a basket, just a baby.”

Chloe stood silently, shivering in the drafty hallway, as she absorbed the conversation unfolding before her. The matron’s voice crackled like dry leaves underfoot as she described Chloe’s appearance. The words painted a vivid picture in Chloe’s mind: fiery red hair that glowed like embers, piercing green eyes that sparkled with curiosity, and a face freckled like a starry night sky. It was as if the matron was dissecting her, examining every feature as if she were an object on display. “That’s your girl, alright,” the matron sneered.

The sound of the matron’s voice was accompanied by the soft rustle of paper as she shuffled through documents. Chloe’s heart pounded in her chest, its rhythm competing with the sound of her own shallow breaths. The room felt suffocating, the air heavy with anticipation and uncertainty.

Then, as if the room held its breath, the woman’s voice cut through the silence. “We’ll take her,” she announced, her long, painted fingernail pointed at Chloe’s wide eyes, as if selecting her from a menu. In that moment, time seemed to stand still, the world around Chloe fading into a blur. Her breath hitched, a gasp catching in her throat like a bird caught in a snare.

“Go pack your things, girl!” the matron commanded, snapping Chloe out of her trance and into motion. The sound of Cloe’s footsteps echoed down the hallway as she hurriedly made her way to the dormitory. The rough fabric of her clothes brushed against her skin, and the sensation of urgency lingered in her every step.

“Goodbye, Harper,” Chloe whispered, her arms tightening around her friend in a warm, lingering embrace as she hauled the heavy, battered suitcase off the bunk bed. They shared a final glance, their tear-filled eyes reflecting the weight of their emotions.

“Your turn will come,” Chloe reassured, her grip on Harper’s hand tightening. While she had found a new family, a pang of sadness lingered as she left behind someone she considered a sister.

“I waited sixteen years while you got your chance after only fifteen,” Harper confessed, her shoulders slumping with the weight of her sadness. “I have no hope left.” The room seemed to grow heavy with the weight of their unspoken dreams. With a bittersweet smile, she unclasped her pendant, passing on a cherished memory as she fastened it around Chloe’s neck.

Stunned into silence, Chloe’s senses were overwhelmed by the familiar scent of sweet jasmine, wrapping her in nostalgia. With heavy hearts, they shared a goodbye hug, the faint sound of their whispered promises filling the space between them.

“Hurry!” the matron yelled from downstairs, her voice echoing through the empty hallway.

“Please, don’t forget me,” Harper pleaded, her voice filled with a mix of desperation and hope as Chloe reached the landing.

A lump formed in Chloe’s throat, tightening her windpipe and choking back the sob threatening to escape, so she could only nod, a single, heartbroken gesture. She held the pendant close, the coldness of the gemstone grounding her in the reality of their separation. As she descended the staircase, her eyes scanned the familiar surroundings one last time, imprinting the sights of her childhood home deep within her memory.

At the bottom of the staircase, Chloe’s new parents awaited, their proud smiles radiating warmth. Miss Grimshaw stood nearby, clutching a stack of paperwork.

“Sign this release form,” the matron commanded, forcefully placing a pen in Chloe’s trembling hand. With trembling hands, she dropped her heavy suitcase and quickly scribbled her name. With a swift movement, the matron revealed a hidden hand, pushing a teddy bear into Chloe’s arms.

Curiosity filled Chloe’s gaze as she examined the teddy bear’s large, yellow eyes. The scent of old fabric and forgotten memories wafted from the stuffed toy, mingling with the anger bubbling up inside her. The dark brown bear’s sun-colored eyes radiated a comforting warmth, stirring a sense of nostalgia within her.

“Where’d you get it from?” Chloe asked, her voice filled with curiosity as she tenderly hugged the fluffy teddy bear close to her chest. She could feel its softness against her skin, providing a comforting warmth that stood in sharp contrast to the chilling glare of the matron. The room was filled with a tense silence, broken only by the distant echo of children’s laughter echoing through the cold, sterile walls.

Miss Grimshaw, with an indifferent shrug, responded to Chloe’s question. “Dunno,” she muttered, her words hanging in the air, as if carried by a gust of icy wind. “Whoever dumped you here left that in your basket.”

“Why didn’t you ever—” Chloe began, her voice laced with frustration, but the matron interrupted.

“Get going!” she commanded, her voice sharp, her heels clacking against the polished tiles. Chloe’s gaze darted between her new guardians, seeking answers within their glimmering eyes. They leaned in, stooping over her, casting long, looming shadows that enveloped Chloe’s mind like a dark cloud.

In the radiant light, their eyes shone with a strange, unsettling luminescence, like chips of ice reflecting a cold fire. The woman’s grin stretched wide, a predatory flash of white against her sun-kissed skin, revealing pristine teeth that seemed to glimmer with sinister intent. As Chloe clutched the worn, plush teddy bear tightly, her gaze dropped to her scuffed shoes, unable to meet the intense stares of her guardians.

“I am Evangelina Nightshade,” the woman introduced herself, her voice dripping with formality and coldness as she patted her husband on the back. “And this is Asher, my husband.”

“H-hello, Mister and Missus Nightshade,” Chloe stammered, extending her hand in a formal greeting. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, a mixture of joy and apprehension at the beginning of this new adventure.

“Oh, no,” Evangelina said, her voice warm and comforting. “Call us Mom and Dad,” she gushed, almost too sweetly. She took Chloe’s hand, leading her to the door, where a promise of new life awaited, while Asher handled the suitcase. Chloe held onto her new mommy’s hand, breathing in the sweet, floral scent of her perfume—gardenias and lilies—a scent that promised a new beginning.