Dark Friends

by Mark Butler

  As the eighteen other orphan kitchens orphans woke up and prepared for their day, Counselor Nancy entered, causing an immediate and total silence. She was a middle-aged woman with jet-black hair tied in a perfect bun. Though not particularly large, she emitted an aura of authority and rationality that could not be denied.

  “Amelia, come here.” Nancy snapped, not bothering to address the other kids.

  “Yes ma’am?” Amelia said as she made her way towards the counselor.

  “A shipment came in this morning. Did you check the paperwork?”

  “Yes.”

  “Was everything accounted for and logged?”

  “Yes ma’am”

  “Good work. Carry on.” Nancy said as she turned to leave. She smiled to herself as she climbed the stairs back to the ground floor. She had never met a child like Amelia. The girl had figured out the entire kitchen system in her first week on the job, and then she had learned all the other jobs less than a month later. Once, she even dared to correct a manifesto that Nancy had left in the kitchens. The girl had somehow figured out the amount of food per pallet delivered, the price for each kind of food, and exactly how much food they could purchase while staying within the monthly budget. Amelia had been extremely timid when Nancy had forced the information out of her, of course, but now Nancy felt a genuine respect for the young girl. Amelia was becoming a reliable leader of the kitchen..

  Amelia smiled as Counselor Nancy left. Though she could not allow herself to voice the truth, she had become far more than a kitchen orphan. She was creating a new position, one that bridged the gap between the adults and children.

  “When you’re done daydreaming, why don’t you help me with these boxes?” Neena asked, showing Amelia the emptied food boxes and the reams of plastic that had protected them.

  “Let’s get it over with, then.” As the two girls dragged the small mountains of trash outside, a flash of light suddenly exploded in Amelia’s eyes, momentarily stunning her. She stood transfixed for a moment, staring at nothing.

  “Hey! Are you OK?” Neena asked, looking at Amelia with concern.

  “Yea, I’m fine” Amelia replied. Neena shrugged and Amelia watched her begin to ascend the rocky slope, then she lost her balance and stumbled, skinning her knee. Unlike a typical ten year old girl, Neena didn’t scream or show the slightest pain on her face, and Amelia knew better than to coddle her. She was familiar with pain.

  When they reached the top, Amelia tried to explain to Neena what she saw when the light had blinded her. She had seen a line. She quickly explained, how, she could use some of the large, thick white strings that were occasionally used to wrap the food in to help them move trash up the hill. She could run the line through the gate, then back down to the door and transport trash bags mechanically. All they would need would be one orphan at the top of the slope to unclip the bags from the line, and some orphans to pull the line at the bottom. In truth, they would only need the orphan at the top of the slope during the busy meal hours. The counselors wouldn’t object because the system would be quick and efficient, needing only one orphan to be outside at a time. After her detailed explanation, Neena stared hard at her, saying nothing.

  “Amelia, what in fool's name are you talking about?”

  “Nothing” Amelia said.

  It was such a simple, yet necessary implementation that it saddened Amelia that no one else had ever thought of it. But the truth was, she knew that orphans who tried to spread their wings and fly would be grounded and have their wings clipped. Or worse.

  Chapter 4

  What good is it, Ellis thought, if people never change? He had seen therapists, psychiatrists and even attended support groups. None of them had ever been able to help him with his 'urges'. They were overpowering, thought-consuming and, when not remedied, physically crippling desires. He was a sex addict. Of course, he never told anyone the age of his...partners.

  Jared James Ellis was forty-nine years old and had come from a mostly-happy family. His father was an investment banker who made an incredible salary and his mother was a part-time restaurant owner. They were a lively, happening couple who always instilled a sense of continuous competition in their children. Life was all about winning. Not just excelling in sports and school, either, the Ellis parents insisted their kids do everything better than their peers. They had to learn to tie their shoes first before other kids, do complex mathematical equations at young ages, and their father had once made the kids race to see who could floss the fastest.

  As the youngest of four boys, Ellis had felt this pressure profoundly. He was supposed to be the quickest learner and most pliable because he was the youngest. His parents always told him that their first three sons had been practice for their precious fourth. While other kids might have used their parents constant badgering as motivation, it had the opposite effect on Ellis. He withdrew. His brothers said that since he was the last to be born, their parents had already used up all of their best genetic material. Instead of a child prodigy, the Ellis parents were stuck with a withdrawn, strange boy. Young Ellis spent hours alone in his room, playing with G.I. Joe's and dolls. He created elaborate story lines and events in his make-believe world, but he was always the boss. He was the god of the little people and their fates were determined by his whims.

  As Ellis sat in his office and pondered his childhood, he realized that he was the exception to the rule. He did change. Though his fleshly preferences were still unusual, he was no longer a scared, insecure boy. He was now the undisputed ruler of an entire orphanage! He hired and fired people. He signed paychecks. He dictated every aspect of his kingdom and he had done so for many years. For this reason, Ellis waited in his office.

  After several minutes, Nancy entered. Ellis had requested this meeting with her to discuss the kitchen. Something had changed there. Ellis waited for Nancy to seat herself before he spoke,

  “G'morning Nancy. How are you?”

  “I'm well and good morning to you.” Nancy replied evenly.

  “Look, I know you're busy and I am too, so let's get to the point. The kitchen is running incredibly well. Enough money has been saved to give all the counselors a bonus” it never occurred to Ellis to use the money for the kids, “and fewer children have been getting injured working down there. It even seems like the food is better. Even the trays are cleaner! So, my question is what's going on down there?”

  Nancy shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She could summarize the difference in the kitchen service in one word: Amelia.

  “We have an asset, Ellis.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “We have an orphan who could change everything. You might remember her as the girl who...stood out during last cycle's standardized testing. Her name is Amelia and she's remarkable.” Nancy felt that her words were insufficient to do Amelia's mind justice.

  “I remember her. She disrespected me after that test; she tried to get above her station.” Ellis stated matter-of-factly. Nancy didn't disagree, at least, not out loud.

  “I heard about that. Well, she has learned her lesson and now she's keeping the kitchen in tip-top shape.” Nancy smiled, hoping to dis-spell Ellis' sudden tension.

  “Well, if she's so valuable, maybe I'll put her in a more...advantageous position here.” Ellis said. Nancy had feared this. She feared that Ellis would take Amelia away and put her somewhere to confine her mind. She could not voice her fears to Ellis, who could lose his temper at any moment and fire Nancy on the spot. He had a reputation.

  “I'm sure you'll do what's best with her.” Nancy said, eager to be out of the room.

  “I will. Dismissed.” Ellis said as he swiveled his chair around to glance out of his fourth story window. He heard Nancy get up and shut the door behind her and he seethed. There was always one! While Ellis valued having a helpful orphan, the girl could become dangerous. She had clearly already manipulated Nancy into letting her do more than any orphan had ever been allowed. What was next? Handling ph
one calls? Public relations? No, Ellis decided. He had to break this upstart young girl. He didn't need a genius orphan. He needed obedience. With these dark thoughts in mind, Ellis started making his way towards the kitchen.

  Chapter 5

  Amelia was ecstatic. Her trash-line had worked brilliantly and orphans were constantly lobbying for the duty of unclasping the bags at the gate. Amelia had become the hit of the kitchens. Everyone gushed over her, vying for her attention. They did whatever she told them to do and they loved her for it.

  As Amelia was chatting with Neena about future improvements on the washing line, the kitchen started to gradually get quiet. Sensing the change in the air, Amelia glanced about, looking for the disturbance. There was nothing. Everything was exactly as it should be, but some of the kids' faces were registering fear, as though they sensed that something was coming. The change in vibe was unmistakable. Within a minute the kitchen had become completely silent, save the hum of the great tray lift. The kids all looked at each other in confusion, unsure if their companions felt the same dread in their chests that they felt. Finally, the main door from the orphanage opened and Ellis stood in the doorway...

  There were so many of them! Ellis did not come down to the kitchens often, but he never thought there was this many kids! Maybe it was how they stood. No one was hunched over their work station, or huddled behind a machine. The kids were all standing straight and looking each other full in the face, unashamed of their various disfigurements.

  “Get to work!” Ellis screamed, sending the kitchen into a frenzy of activity. He walked around the workplace, peering over kid’s shoulders and basking in their fear. Unsure of what Amelia looked like, Ellis did the only thing that made sense,

  “Amelia Gannerson, get over here right now!” Ellis called out. A girl of no more than twelve broke away from the washing line and hurried to face Ellis. She was of average height and build and dirty from head to toe. Ellis only needed to see her eyes. He knelt down and looked right into Amelia's eyes, searching. He found two things: overwhelming fear and deep intelligence. Even her eyes could not hide what she truly was. Seeing everything that he was not, Ellis temper flared,

  “Follow me.” he commanded.

  “Yes sir” Amelia whispered, following Ellis out of the kitchen. He led her up the stairs to the main floor, and then he took her up to the second floor. Suddenly, Ellis stopped, nearly causing Amelia to run into him. When he sensed her proximity, Ellis backhanded her hard. Amelia dropped to the floor, flat on her back. From that view in the middle of the hallway, Amelia realized with dread why Ellis had stopped. There was a door on the ceiling. Ellis reached up and pulled a string that only he could possibly reach, and the way to the third floor was opened, beckoning Amelia to experience its horrors.

  Chapter 6

  After her first rape, it was decided that Amelia would no longer work in the kitchens. Ellis wanted her somewhere visible, so he assigned her to the lawn-care. Through Counselor Nancy's pleas, Amelia was given three days to extricate herself from the kitchens and train a replacement. She chose Neena.

  Everyone was devastated that Amelia would be leaving the kitchens. Several of the younger kids openly cried, Amelia was the closest thing they ever knew as a mother. She had read them bed-time stories and nursed their injuries. Even the older children were distraught and they made no effort to mask their depression at the news. Though Amelia understood their pain, she found herself unable to empathize. She knew intellectually that their lives would be worse without her, but she couldn't summon the feelings or expression to alleviate their pain. In the past, she might have offered a kind word or a wordless hug, but now she offered only short, rehearsed phrases.

  “Sorry”

  “I'm leaving, good luck”

  “Listen to Neena”

  Amelia finally understood why Ellis was called The Eater. His hatred had burned the kindness from her, consuming her soul.

  On the third day, she collected her few possessions and prepared to report to the gardens, the most heavily monitored section of the orphanage. It infuriated her that none of the kids tried to offer her comfort, they only tried to suck the remaining drops of compassion within her, on her final day. In her mind, her fate was infinitely worse than theirs.

  “We'll miss you” Neena offered as her parting words.

  “Whatever” Amelia said, not caring.

  “I hope we can somehow still talk, maybe there's a way?”

  “Why do I have to figure everything out all the time? Why don't you figure out how to make all our lives better? What, really, have you ever done for me?” Amelia spewed in a torrent, causing Neena's eyes to water in confusion. Amelia's outburst caught the attention of everyone in the kitchen, causing an awkward silence. As she exited the room, Amelia offered her final words to the kitchen that adored her,

  “At least I don't have to look at you freaks anymore.” She said, instantly regretting the words when she heard Neena's gasp of shock.

  Chapter 7

  As soon as Amelia stored her belongings in the lawn-workers dormitory, she was taken to an outside patio where five other orphans waited patiently. From here the girls would be assigned various miscellaneous tasks, then they were expected to return to the patio. There was a male counselor sitting at an oak table next to the patio, supervising the girls and issuing jobs. Amelia had never seen the man before, and he looked strikingly similar to Ellis.

  “Amelia!” the man yelled impatiently. Amelia ran over to the front of his desk and stood at attention, ready for anything.

  “I'm Amelia, sir.”

  “You're the genius, right? I was warned about you.” Amelia didn't know what the man meant, so she made no reply.

  “Answer me! Are you the trouble-maker little smart girl?”

  “My name is Amelia, and yes, I'm smart” Amelia said, daring to look him in the face. She guessed that he was thirty years old, though he had heavy scarring on his face that could distort her estimate.

  “So you don't even have the grace to be humble about it? You can't be that smart, then. Follow Lily for weed-picking duty.” He gestured to a girl behind Amelia, holding two small shovels and two large garbage bags. Evidently, the man's assessment of Amelia was over.

  Amelia wordlessly followed Lily to a small, weed-covered ravine by the main gate. Here, the girls could talk without being overheard. Lily didn't waste a moment,

  “Hi! I'm Lily. You're the Amelia? Oh wow, I can't believe that on your first day, you get weed duty with me! So, tell me everything that happened with Ellis, what did...”

  “Stop.” Amelia cut her off.

  “What?”

  Amelia said nothing. She didn't have anything to say, she just wanted the girl to shut up. Lily looked hurt, and Amelia noticed that the girl bore a resemblance to her. They were probably the same age and they both had light, clear complexions. As Amelia stared at Lily, she realized what they looked like to Ellis. Prey.

  “I don't want to talk about Ellis, or the kitchens, or you, or anything at all. Don't talk to me” Amelia said, her voice hard.

  “Ooh, you must be one of his best ones”

  “What did you say to me?”

  “You must be one of Ellis' favorites. He only wants the smartest, prettiest, kindest girls. The farther they fall, the better he enjoys them” Lily said frankly. Amelia did a double-take of Lily; The girl was not another mindless urchin, being processed through the orphanages' various versions of hell. Lily had assurance in her voice and an alert gleam in her eyes.

  “How long have you been here?” Amelia ventured.

  “I thought you didn't want to talk to me.” Lily replied, mocking Amelia's earlier tone.

  “I didn't then. Now, I do.”

  “I've been here for as long as I can remember. I know every square inch of Lisson and every counselor's shoe size.” Lily said, trying to impress. She seemed on the verge of saying more, but instead she turned to the weeds, pulling them up viciously by their roots. A counse
lor walked by at that moment, nodding approval at Lily's diligence and frowning at Amelia, who immediately turned to prying up the stubborn plant life. How had Lily known a counselor would walk by at that moment? Amelia hadn't heard a thing.

  As the girls worked, Amelia found herself watching Lily with fascination. Lily's pace never seemed to slacken and her face never revealed any fatigue. On the contrary, Lily worked faster and faster as the ravine was picked clean. Amelia matched Lily's pace, and soon, the girls were working at a fever pitch, racing to fill up their bags. When they were done, they looked at each other, covered in dirt and roots, sweating and exhausted. They hadn't spoken since the counselor had walked by an hour before, but they didn't need to. They were thinking the same thing, that they had found a kindred spirit.

  After the ravine was cleared, Lily led Amelia to a nearby compost heap and the girls emptied their bags. Then, they returned to the outdoor patio and waited for their next assignment. The girls seemed to be on a rotating shift, and Amelia memorized the various assignments from the ugly male counselor: Weed picking, watering, planting trees and flowers here and there, and digging. Amelia didn't understand why they were occasionally digging six foot holes at linear intervals, but she would do her job nonetheless. There was one other job that Amelia heard on her first lawn day, though she was thankful that she was not selected for it; Ellis duty.

  That evening, the girls ate their meals in their dorm, which was situated outside the front lobby, nearest to the counselors offices. Compared to the kitchens it was a nice dorm with clean floors and no bugs, but counselors walked by constantly, causing Amelia to experience a wave of nostalgia for the socialization of the kitchen. As the girls prepared for bed, Amelia and Lily caught themselves staring at each other often, trying to make eye contact. Overjoyed at the speed with which Amelia had found an intelligent friend, she made every attempt to communicate with her. Amelia mouthed words to Lily and was rewarded with a bewildered expression. She tried to get close to Lily to whisper something, only to have someone get in the way. As the girls got in their bunks, Amelia looked at Lily and made a pillow with her hands, then she simulated laying down on the pillow. She then made a “C” with her left hand and pointed at Lily, then made a fist with her other hand that she slowly rose up to eye level, simultaneously spreading her five fingers. Lily understood the message “See you at sunrise.”