THE ORPHANAGE

Chapter Ten

PETER’S POV

I stirred the tea carefully before placing it in the saucer and carrying it upstairs to juniper’s room. I walked in and placed the tea on her drawer, was about leaving when her eyes fluttered open. “d-dad? Is that you?” she asked and I walked towards her bed

“yes honey” I sat on her bed, I watched as she stared around confusedly and she placed her hand on her fore head, wincing in pain.

“how am I here? like in bed? The potatoes?” she gasped and was about rushing out of bed when I stopped her, “I came in time to turn it off before you burn down our kitchen” I said, “here” I carried the tea and gave it to her.

“Thanks, I really can’t remember what happened. All I know was I wanted to get my phone and then I’m here In bed” she had a confused look plastered on her face.

“well I met you lying face down on the stairs, like you fell or something” I shrugged and I watched her try to remember

“i-I don’t think I fell, someone pushed me dad” she looked at me and my brows furrowed in confusion. “pushed you? Honey there was no one in the house with you except for the kids” I shook my head.

“No, someone..pushed me” she emphasized and I sighed, “just…I don’t, okay then” I didn’t know what to say  

“you don’t believe me?” she asked, “look honey, I don’t think anyone pushed you. Just get better” I patted her legs and got up from her bed

“I’m sorry about Ashley, I didn’t mean to be irresponsible. I got carried away” she explained and I gave a tight lipped smile

“And you’re lucky it’s not worse than that” I said and walked out of the room.

“is she okay?”Martha asked as she managed to walk towards me, she went through a lot yesterday and still going through it. The doctor had to stitch her head yesterday as the cut was pretty deep and nasty. I still don’t know what went down in that toilet yesterday. She has refused to tell me anything.

“yeah, and you should be resting” I held her hips and slowly walked her towards the couch, the door bell dinged and I rushed to get it.

“Father Matthew!?” I said in surprise, he’s the priest of the Catholic Church we all attend. He’s pretty powerful and a true man of God.

“Peter, may I come in” he said as he held his rosary firmly, “pardon me, yes please” I opened the door wider and paved way for him to walk in

“peace be unto this household” he said as he made the cross sign in the air, “wow, it’s actually a surprise that you came to see us Father, what brings you by?” I asked as we walked towards the living room

“I just said to check on your well being as I didn’t see you in church last week Sunday” he said, “Father matthew” Martha got up and knelt slightly for him

“Bless you child and bless you too little one” he said to her stomach, “what brings you here father? Your coming is sudden I would have prepared better. What can I get you?” Martha asked as she was about to walk into the kitchen

‘Oh Nothing, I’m perfectly fine. I’m here to check up on you and bless the house before..” he stopped and Martha and I looked at each other.

“sorry, I’m picking up strange energy coming from in here” he closed his eyes as he inhled sharply, I stood curiously

“shall we seat?” he asked and I quickly sat on the couch and Martha sat next to me.

“Father are you sure everything is okay?” Martha asked, “are you sure you are okay?” he asked referring to the band aid on her head and she gulped as she remained silent

“We have just been going through a lot here and we are trying to put things in order but more keeps falling apart and I don’t understand what’s going on?” I exhaled

“there’s been an unholy calling in this room” he said as he looked around, “unholy calling?” I asked

“yes, you have invited not one but many into your home and that’s why you’re being troubled greatly” he did the cross sign on himself and Martha stared at him confusedly

“Fa-Father please put it in a way we would understand” Martha said, “you are living with a stranger, one you cannot see and one you brought in yourself” he added

His attention turned to Kalian who was standing by the living room door, “what is it honey?” Martha asked and he ran towards her

“the other kids took my ball from me” he said shly, “come let’s go get it back” Martha got up and followed him outside and I watched as Father Matthew stared at them as they walked out, especially Kalian.

“who is that child?” he turned to me, “we adopted him after his parents said he needs help but unfortunately they died on their way back home” I explained and one could hear the sadness in my voice

“hmn” he exhaled deeply, “keep a keen eye on him, but first we must sage this house to ward off your hidden guests” he got up

“okay Father, when should we begin?” I got up too, “by tomorrow morning before it’s too late to send them out from here” he handed me a small bottle of oil

“Holy oil, Mix this with water and spray the cemetery every night, it’s a must. I’ll be back tomorrow” he said and walked towards the door

“Father Matthew, you’re leaving already?” Martha walked down the stairs, “I’ll be back tomorrow, take this for the little one” he gave Martha his rosary “thank you Father” Martha bowed slightly

“Peace” he said and walked out of the house

MARTHA’S POV

I swallowed my pills as I gulped it down with water, and I exhaled before walking upstairs to check on the kids. They are supposed to be having their quiet time right now

I opened the doors one by one to check on the kids and when I opened Cassandra’s door, she was standing and staring at the window in her room.

“Cassandra” I called and she looked back, “honey you should be in bed by now, you’ll be up soon for dinner, you need to rest” I walked towards her.

“I can’t sleep, they keep staring at me and touching my hair” she played with her fingers, “who?” I asked and she pointed to her bedside

“but sweetie there’s nobody there” I held her by her shoulders, “what about those people that are dangling from the tree?” she pointed to the tree outside the window in the cemetery and quickly hid behind my back as I looked out the window

“there’s no one there” I turned to carry her, “no, there are three ladies dangling by the neck on that tree. They are there” she insisted and I sighed

“okay you know what? Come sleep in my room. Is that okay?” I asked and she nodded and her long curly locs fell on her face

“okay baby, and when you wake up we’ll braid your hair. Okay?” I said and she smiled and she rushed out and into my room.

I looked outside the window but still couldn’t see anything in the trees, I picked up her shoes and walked out.