Where Spirits Roam

Chapter Four Adopted

Walking into the orphanage Eviee was hit with the cool air of the ac and a dismissive glare from one of the ladies. She started her trek up the staircase hoping to get changed before the head nun saw her only to be stopped halfway up the first flight.

“Miss Eviee,” The aging nun called out her tone questioning and a derisive look on her face as she stopped the girl in her tracks. Eviee’s hand involuntarily clenched around the railing and she plastered a blank expression on her face as she turned to meet the woman’s cold eyes.

“Yes Ma’am,” she said trying to sound respectful although her hair was clinging to her face and her clothes continued to drip making a soft splat as the droplets splashed on the wooden stairs.

“Please get changed and meet me in my office, you have a potential adopter.” The nun advised turning on her heel and marching back down the hall.

Eviee was stunned she had very few potentials. Each one had always chose another girl and it was uncommon for one to be adopted at her age. Her mouth hung open as she stared at the place the nun just stood.

‘This had to be a cruel joke’ she thought.

Finally regaining her composure Eviee finished her trek up the stairs closing her door softly behind her when she entered her room. She had clothing but none of it would be considered nice.

Eviee quickly worked to peel the wet mass of clothes from her body the material making squelching noises as it became unstuck dropping to the floor. Eviee’s skin was wrinkled and prune-like from being in the water logged attire for so long.

Grabbing her towel Eviee began drying her skin careful of the areas starting to bruise from Zack’s tight grip. She wrapped the towel around her curly locks twisting it so it piled on top of her head. Moving to her dresser she pulled the top drawer open. Her measly arrangement of undergarments lay staring back at her.

Pulling the least ill-fitting of the sports bras out she tugged it over her head. They would not allow her a real bra since her stays at the asylum had started. Just one more way they worked to control her. She reached back into the drawer removing a cotton pair of panties and slipped them on as well. Shutting the drawer Eviee pulls the second one open. She was lucky to have a larger selection of shirts. The last girl to age out of care had not been allowed to take them with her. She pulls a black long-sleeve shirt out studying the v-neck before pulling it on. This wouldn't be her typical pick. Eviee never tried to draw more attention to herself. The shirt clung to all of Eviee’s subtle curves and she tugged at the material trying to adjust it to be less revealing. It would have to do. She only had one other pair of jeans so she tugged them up her hips fastening the button. They were baggy on her, her slight figure not made for the long length of the bootcut jeans. Her only pair of shoes were still soaked and she was dreading pushing her feet back into them. The worn old converse would surly squeak drawing more attention than she wanted. Not bothering with socks since they would only get wet Eviee shoved her feet back into the shoes. Standing the weight of her body pushed into the soles forcing water between her toes.

Eviee removed the towel from her head trying to squeeze out as much liquid from her curls as possible. She would look like a wet mouse in front of the potential guardians. Running her fingers through her hair she managed to detangle the largest part of her hair and headed for the door.

To say Eviee was nervous is an understatement. Her nerves were already spiked and her body was on edge from the recent events. She had only met prospective parents twice before and as soon as they found out about her issues they had quickly opted for another girl from the orphanage turning her away like day-old food.

Finally reaching the door Eviee raised her small hand to knock.

*Knock* one.

*Knock* two.

“Come in,” the old nun's voice rings out.

Eviee reaches for the doorknob turning it slowly until she feels the subtle click. She pulls in a deep breath releasing it as she pushes the door open revealing the inside of the office.

The older woman sits behind the large cherry wood desk he hands folded neatly together on the top of a file with Eviee’s name scrawled across it. The back of a man in a tweed grey suit faced Eviee as she entered. She pushed the door closed stepping closer her hand clasped tightly behind her back, her head bowed respectfully.

“Eviee, I would like you to meet Mr. Donovan Ellsworth.” The nun says in her professional voice whilst motioning toward the older gentleman who still hadn't moved.

“Hello sir, I'm Eviee, pleased to meet you.” She greets him trying to sound positive and polite despite her nerves. The girl subconsciously retracted inward with each squeaky step she took to cross the office.

The man turns to face Eviee for the first time fear washing over her when his small beady eyes land on hers. The man's eyes light up twinkling in the dim lighting of the office his thin lips curling menacingly into a smirk before he can adjust himself. ‘She looks just like Elena’ he thinks clearing his throat and standing to his full height. He's still rather short at the most only a head taller than Eviee. Her heartbeat becomes erratic the beginning of an episode near.

Eviee digs her nails into her skin using the pinch of pain to distract from the feelings of unease. When his hand stretches out toward her she fights the urge to take a step back. Slowly uncurling her hand she reaches forward placing her delicate fingers in his. For an old man, his grip is tight, forceful even and Eviee has to suppress a shudder.

“Nice to make your acquaintance young lady.” Mr. Ellsworth finally says as he releases Eviee’s hand.

“Well, now that you two are acquainted let's proceed.” The director advises and the two make their way into the chairs opposite her waiting for what's to come next.

***

Eviee is not quite sure why but the man had insisted on adopting her and taking her home today. It made her uneasy though she was also grateful to get out of the orphanage and have a chance at a somewhat normal life.

Within a few hours, he had signed all of the tedious paperwork and left informing them that a driver would be around to pick Eviee up soon.

It was strange to her that he would be so persistent she be brought home today and then leave without her. However, she didn't put much time into worrying about it as she was dismissed to pack her rather small collection of personal items.

Eviee is sitting on her bed running her hands along the old tattered shaw she had been found in. Throughout the years it was her only connection to her birth parents. The faded pink cloth was almost paper thin and still, it brought her the most comfort.

*Knock, Knock*

Broken from her trance Eviee places the shaw inside her bag and moves to open the door. Her caretaker of the last seventeen years stands on the other side.

“The driver is here child. It's time for you to leave.” She has no emotion in her voice even though Eviee had been here the longest she had been the most troubled so of course no one was sad to see her go. ‘I'm sure they'll be relieved I'm gone’ she thinks.

“Thank you,” Eviee grabs her bag walks past everything she's ever known aside from the asylum and heads out the front door. Unlike when others are adopted there is no going away, good luck in your new life, type of party. She leaves with no one bothering to say goodbye.