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Enter: The Beast

by sword2scabbard
Tags   angst   original   family   suspense   mystery   | Report Content

A A A A

On the twilight of an ordinary summer day, the dual glass paned doors of the Children's Rainbow Orphanage opened for the first time in two months since the string unsuccessfully adoptions in the spring.

The dull clanging of the rusted doorbell alerted us of a potential adult entering the foyer. Within a split second, the children began to bustle: the boys racing each other to the shower rooms while the girls fussed over about sharing their dresses with their companions. Toys were swept under the cobwebbed beds, while in turn, the quilts were tossed over the beds; making sure to conceal their secrets. Everyone seemed to be in a jubilant mood, laughing and giggling to each other about the prospects of a new parent. One of them would be chosen to be accepted into a household, a family, and be loved. A happy ending to say.
 
Except for my brother and I.
 
In my stale covers on the far end of the room, I sat there; propped up against the headboard with pillows supporting my back and a heavy tome opened to the page. I had gotten distracted from reading the book when I heard the doorbell and unconsciously began to watch the rest of the children. I envied them so much. So much that I could feel myself become the epitome of jealousy itself-- my oily locks disheveled and my skin a sickly shade of white, giving me a horrendous look in the mirror. I was not as attractive as Suzie or have a interesting personality like Robert, or even can do anything impressive like draw any inanimate object with professionalism. 
 
I bit back a growl and clenched the bed sheets.
 
No one wanted me, an ugly child of 7 years old with nothing appealing to the eye, only mute and able to read stupid these fairytales. 
 
"Hey,"
 
I whirled around from my bed, my teeth bared out and my stare boring into the face of the one who had dared to call to my attention.
 
"You're making that face again," he said
 
"And what of it?" I angrily signaled to Nohlin.
 
He pursed his lips in impatience.
 
It makes you look like a monster, Elieen."
 
A spark of realization passed through my brain, making me pause in whatever I was going to do next. A monster. He was actually going to refer to me as those ugly hunched-back fiends that roamed the night with bristling fur, slick layers of scales, and glowering eyes. I lowered my eyes from his and bit my bottom lip in frustration, trying to avoid his piercing gaze. A small pang thudded heavily against my chest. What was this feeling? Was this guilt? Or perhaps jealousy? Maybe both. 
 
I fidgeted with the frayed corners of the worn fairytale book, still not looking at him. It was my way of apologizing, somewhat half-heartedly.
 
Nohlin sighed and slid into the bed beside me, careful to not bump the book off my lap and his legs touching my bare ones under the covers. Warm thin arms encircled my equally thin waistline and hugged me close to his chest. His chin was atop my grisly blonde hair, his breath ghosting the crown of my head. I struggled within his embrace, not wanting to accept his kindness, but he did not budge.
 
"Don't be a prick now," he murmured, his calloused digits raking through my strands, "I know that it's hard on you... and for the both of us."
 
Tears began to prick at my eyes, refusing to return to their caverns as I furiously shook my head in denial. I hated that Nohlin had some sort of strange ability in persuasion and could sweet talk his way through just about any situation. His voice was as smooth as ice and yet commanding at the same time. There wasn't anyone who could stand up to my brother's musings and get away with it, sporting a face of indifference and leaving with even more emotions piled up inside of them. Unlike me, my beloved brother was kind and compassionate, able to listen well and relate to problems easily. He was like the sun, shining down on everyone's hearts with healing rays.
 
He radiated everywhere he went. 
 
A rather large gasp of a sob slipped from my closed lips, breaking the happy din of the children like a sharp chef knife. Everything became deathly quiet as I gaped at myself for making such a noise. How disgraceful. In an attempt to cover up any treacherous feelings, I quickly swept up an arm, ready to clamp down my teeth on the unsanitary skin of mine. But his snatch was by far faster than mine, closing in on my wrist and halting it in its journey in midair. I turned to meet his steely gaze, my soul staring down at his dark maroon orbs, almost lost in them. Before I could retort, the grip tightened and his eyes darkened considerably, as if sending a telepathic message to me. 
 
Let it out. 
 
All that pent up frustration and anger was suddenly released by that one simple command. 
 
With a wail that echoed off the pastel walls of the children's room, I began to cry, balling the fabric of Nohlin's blue shirt into my feeble fists and leaned in to soak my tears through. I was embarrassed by this action, abhorred beyond belief how unsightly I had become. But Nohlin did not take notice and merely tightened his embrace. Strangely though, my actions seemed more like gasps of desperation rather than tears of anguish and hurt. But I could care less at the moment at anyone who looked at me funny and thought I might have been hyperventilating or something. At this very moment, it had only felt as if the world had suddenly disappeared to leave my brother and I in an abyss of darkness, our love shining through it. Though we were complete opposites, we complimented each other. The outside facade of my brother being the cheerful and nice looking boy who played with everyone and his wallflower sister was one that everyone bought. But deep inside, we were the only ones able to coax each other's turmoiled feelings, Nohlin being meek and traumatized while I stood my ground and turned into a hideous beast that dripped with envy. 
 
Since the day I had been able to read those accursed fairytales from the Disney picture books, I had come to loathe the character's happy fortunes and long for a better life. A life where I was born without this disability and lived amongst a family of four. A pair of parents would surround me with gleeful smiles of joy and happiness as we threw a celebration for my birthday. Presents would be torn apart to reveal their hidden secret while colorful balloons drifted far and wide as wanderers of the vast sky. Unfortunately, fate decided a different path for us when we were abandoned at the doorsteps of the orphanage and I had found out I was mute. How cruel it was, burdening my brother with my disability and using it to my advantage to forcibly tie him down with me so that we may be adopted together. I sometimes wished I never had been born. 
 
It felt like hours before I calmed down again, relaxing at my brother's methods of combing his hands through my hair, starting from the scalp and delicately untangling the split-ends and tumbles, and the small circles he made along my spin. But it had only been about ten minutes until my tears were whipped away and my breath returning to normal. 
 
"Feeling better?"
 
I looked up to meet the gaze of my brother and merely nodded. He grinned at my response. 
 
"Good!" He leaped off the bed, the warmth between us lost, and offered a hand. "Let's get ready now. I doubt Ms. Dellingway would like you to be continue being huddled up here with your book smelling like sweat and salt." 
 
I dryly chuckled without any sound of a voice, at his statement and readily accepted his warm hand. Finger curled up to close it around my own and a gentle smile graced my face. Maybe today might not be so bad after all. 
 
(((Author's Note: Let me know how you like it so far and leave comments below full of criticism, suggestions, adivce, or support if you can :D)))
 

Comments

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BrokenAbyssChain  on says:
I rarely read on here or AFF anymore because I'm busy with my own stuff, but this seems interesting.

I was really surprised when I saw you mention Jormungand. It's not as popular as it should be! Funny thing is, I have a fic that was partly inspired by that anime/manga too, called Running With Wolves.

I'm looking forward to reading this when there are a few more chapters.

Good luck with your story!
^u^

nightlife6081  on says about chapter 1:
This is really good so far~ Looking forward to more!

asphyxy  on says about chapter 1:
Aww, you decribe their relationship so beautifully without actually describing it, if that makes any sense??
Can't wait for the next update!

Winterflowr  on says about chapter 1:
So they were abandoned? Not their parents dying? T_T I feel so bad!

Oh gosh--this definitely sounds like you! But please go over--there are grammar stuff to fix!

Winterflowr  on says:
I'm expecting a lot from both the foreword and description! the last two sentences are like WOW!

I though you were going to write a nice story about family until I read the last line. It's so you!

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