In the Confines and BEYOND.

A long van pulled into the driveway of a beautiful house. Inside it, young children of both genders and different ages were nodding off to sleep. It was dark as night as the van wended its way through the city, along a lengthy highway and through a quaint little town into a beautiful countryside enclosure that looked like a sprawling hacienda. Tall pine trees dotted the horizon even as one gazed at it from a distance. Within it's enclosure, an abundance of Hibiscus shrubs, their prickly bushes jotting out onto the pathways. Along the sides of the few wooden structures. One could pick the juicy scarlet petals of these shrubs and eat them. Though most of the time they were made into jams or juices . Tall reeds waved in the breeze sending a sleepy rustling sound through the air. Between it's tall thick blades, Owls nested with their babies. Overhead , a beautiful mountain rose from behind which every morning, the sunrise gradually emerged shedding it's first rays of golden light upon the fields and crops below. It was at the foot of this mountain, under whose shadows the backdrop of our story unfolds, that our heroine would first open her eyes one day to the realization that she and all those with her would have to face a life different from most. The next day, everyone woke to beautiful sunshine that poured in through high slanting windows that lined what looked like a long rustic cabin. It's wooden lined floors shining with fresh polish and little blue beds neatly lined against the walls that ran the length of the structure. It was in this place that little Josie woke up that morning. The air about her sober and still, broken only by the occasional giggles and thuds of children her age and the subdued voices of the governesses. Suddenly, a sharp clap broke the sober silence and the mellow voice of a young lady broke the through the stillness. " Everyone , get up and form a straight line . Position yourselves by height from the smallest to the tallest. No pushing or quarreling. Everyone be quiet as you take your places", she said with a stern face and laying a finger over her lips to indicate that everyone should remain hushed. Then followed a scramble across the floors as little feet shuffled in and out of the rows of beds and slowly formed a line. No one seemed to pay attention to the order of silence just issued a while ago as giggling children measured themselves up to each other, mischief dancing in their eyes. Some shoved some pushed while trying to negotiate their place in line . A bell tolled in the distance, what could this be ? What a strange sound for a little children to hear. By this time, little Josie had slid off her bed , fished for her slippers underneath the bed and upon finding them, strode on towards the line forming across her bed to join the other children. It didn't take too long for her to find her place as fourth in line as firm hands gripped her shoulders and guided her to her place. Finally, the line started moving and the group wended it's way down the rustic stairway and out the door into an adjoining patio that opened up into another building. Stepping inside, it wasn't hard to see that it was a neat little Library. Books of all colors and sizes lined the shelves and on the far end of the building, a mahogany Grand Piano stood. The walls were woven with Bamboo sheets and the other half of the structure including the floor was built of solid stone. Looking up across the Library, a large Crucifix stood nailed firmly against the wall. Below it, several pews and benches lined the center. Into these benches the little ones were ushered and made to sit while awaiting whatever it was that would follow. Everything was so cloaked in a strange stillness, you could hear pine needles and cones drop from the trees. Everything about the atmosphere seemed so eerie and yet so peaceful at the same time. Then it began, A lengthy recital of strange chants and readings in an unfamiliar language and the low whispering of women in so called prayer with hands clasped and heads bowed low. Around them, Children still exhausted from the trip the night before slouched, restlessly awaiting for this strange session they called the 'Divine Office' to be over. Glancing about her, little Josie could only wonder what sort of life she was in. What place was this. Who were these people ? Where did everyone come from. ?As she gazed at her companions, she saw the faces of boys and girls her age, some a bit older. Sleepy, bored , Lonely but innocent faces. But where was everyone's Parents ? Weren't small children supposed to be with their Families ? Why were they here together in a place that seemed so remote and far away from civilization. Where there seemed to be no one else The only grown ups around were young ladies with strange poker faces that never seemed to know how to smile. A deep feeling of sadness and loneliness crept through Josie's little heart making her shudder. While from her heart and lips , a cry no one else could hear was uttered. "Where is my Mama and Papa ." Josie's heart felt heavy, but then, why should she be crying ? No body else was crying. In her mind she remembered the sweet face of the woman she alway called "Mommy". When would she see her again and why was she even taken away from her ? A few days prior to this, some strange guests and a priest showed up at her home. They had dinner with Mom and Dad and they seemed to talk forever. Josie distinctly heard her Mother voice c***k with emotiion as she was pleading with the Priest. " Can we keep her a little longer ? she's just a child". To which she saw the Reverend shake his head and reply, " I am sorry Señora, but the longer you withold the ultimate sacrifice of your heart . The greater the risk of failing Him. She was lent to you temporarily. Therefore she must be returned at the Lord's bidding ". Josie remembered the sad look in her Dear Mother's eyes as she spooned the last pieces of fruit she had been hand feeding her with. Finally, the prayers were over . My , all this daydreaming and reminiscing surely helped speed up boring loss of time. Once again everyone filed out of the building and back into the cabin. But as she gazed up at the faces of these young women, the little girl saw no comfort . Instead, she found herself gazing at their unusual attire. A strange head cover that looked like a pointed hood and which came in different colors. A white chord around their waist and on their feet, two pronged sandals the color of coals.