THE ORPHANAGE

CHAPTER TWO

The clouds formed and thunder struck, breeze started to blow heavily shaking the trees violently. Within a short period of time it started to rain, the house became really cold as the house was mostly surrounded by trees and the cemetery beside it.

Martha got up to check on the kids and make sure they are properly tucked in, she opened Juniper’s room door and she was on her phone

“Juniper put that phone down and go to bed baby, there’s school tomorrow” she said as she switched off the light, “but mom, I promise to wake up early” juniper groaned

“I give you 10 more minutes, if I get back and you’re still on it I’m taking it” she closed the door and walked to check on all the other kids

She opened kalian’s room door quietly and he wasn’t tucked In bed, she turned on the light and scanned the room for him till she found a small figure standing and staring out the window.

“Kalian, honey it’s time to go bed” she said but kalian didn’t budge or turn around. “kalian I’m talking to you” she walked over and turned him around but he seemed lost as he kept staring aimlessly at Martha.

“Kalian, kalian” she shook him and he suddenly flinched, “what’s going on with you?” she asked and he just stared at her. “you don’t have to answer, just go to bed” she walked him over and tucked him in bed, covering him up properly she got up to switch off the lights

“It’s a boy” he said and she turned and slowly walked back to his bed, “who?” she asked softly

“Your baby” he said as he snuggled the stuffed rabbit beside him, Martha seemed stunned for a while before she finally gathered her words

“ho..how do you know it’s a boy?” she arched her brow in confusion, “I can hear his heartbeat” he answered and pulled his duvet up to his neck

“oh, um okay well then goodnight” she gave him a kiss on his forehead and got up to turn off the lights, she took another glance at him

“he’ll die” he whispered loudly, “what did you say?” she asked and walked towards him but he was already fast asleep.

She closed the door and stood by the door resting the back of her head as she sighed and rubbed her tummy gently

The power went off and a flash of lightning crossed through the passage and she saw a manly shadow standing beside Juniper’s room

“Peter? Is that you honey?” she asked as she moved closer to the door and the figure vanished, she felt a arm hold hers and she turned sharply in fear

“whoa, why are you startled? What are you doing, come to bed” Peter held her arm as he led her gently back into the room as she kept looking back to see if she wasn’t hallucinating.

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The next morning, Martha already set up in the kitchen. There were plates on the dining and each plate had eggs and bacon with a glass of orange juice by the side.

“okay kids, time for breakfast” she yelled as she rang the bell continuously and they all rushed downstairs while juniper helped Anthony down on his wheelchair

“let’s see, we have Anthony, Cassandra, Dagwood, kalian, Leslie, and Ashley” she counted the children but there’s one missing “where’s Cameron?” she asked and all the kids just stared at her, she looked towards the staircase and saw her husband coming down while holding Cameron carefully down the stairs.

Cameron is blind so he’s mostly indoors and doesn’t really walk around like other kids but during Martha’s free time she holds his hands and helps him color just to feel the texture of what a book looks like, Cameron has been blind since birth and his mother was a teenager who wasn’t ready for the responsibility of a kid.

Peter helped him sit and told juniper to help feed him, Martha kept rubbing her tummy as she was starting to feel tired and uncomfortable

“Are you okay?” peter placed his hands on her stomach and she smiled softly, “I’m just tired” she said

“You’ve tried this morning, is the baby kicking?” Peter kept rubbing her stomach and she nodded positively, “um honey, is there any chance that our baby is a boy?” she asked and he leaned on the sink

“ I don’t know, we both decided we won’t get a scan since we want the gender to be a surprise so what’s wrong?” he shrugged and she stared in Kalian’s reaction

“did the kid say anything weird to you?” he moved towards her and she just brushed the question off with a smile.

“This morning we got a report along bur ford road, a couple were said to have been driving on the road when they were  hit by a truck causing their car to be hit off the road and into a tree” the reporter said through the radio and Martha turned up the volume.

“The victims, after much investigation were identified as Mr. and Mrs. Nakamura. Sadly due to this ghastly accident there were no survivors and both have been confirmed dead. Any more information will be passed th…..” Martha quickly turned down the volume as she turned to look at her husband

“Don’t tell me they are the same Mr. and Mrs. Nakamura” Peter shook his head and Martha stared at him unable to speak she turned to look at kalian who was now making eye contact with her.

He let out a big smile and she just stared confusedly, “he’s just a kid, what are we going to tell him?” she asked peter “nothing, we say nothing” peter answered as he looked at kalian who got down from his seat and walked toward them

“Can I go out to play?” he looked up at Martha, “no sweetie, it’s still morning so you have to color and read with the other kids” she rubbed his shoulders

“But they don’t like me” he shrugged, “don’t say that honey, they only just met you. They’ll warm up to you soon” she pulled his nose playfully.

“Okay, but don’t feel bad about mommy and daddy. They were meant to die anyways” he shrugged and Peter’s mouth fell open

“What do…what do you mean?” Peter stammered, “I told mummy she’ll pay and she did” he chuckled before walking away.