Mother Superior got up from her chair, her movements sudden and swift, as if driven by a sense of urgency that couldn't be ignored. She headed straight to the window, her long skirt rustling against the floor, creating a soft whispering sound that filled the room. She opened the curtain, revealing a sliver of sunlight that illuminated her face, casting a warm glow on her features. But as she gazed out the window, her expression changed from one of determination to shock. She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth, her palm covering her lips as if to stifle a cry.
I wondered what it was that she had just seen, my curiosity piqued by her sudden reaction. Had she seen someone or something outside? A person, a bird, a tree swaying in the wind? I felt a shiver run down my spine as I waited for her to explain, my mind racing with possibilities.
But instead of explaining, Mother Superior turned to Sister Margaret, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and urgency. "Stay here with Gabriel," she ordered, her voice low and husky, like a gentle breeze on a summer's day. "I will be back in a few moments."
Sister Margaret nodded, her eyes wide with concern, as Mother Superior left the office, her footsteps echoing down the corridor like a distant drumbeat. The sound grew fainter and fainter, until it was just a memory, a lingering echo in the silence.
I turned to Sister Margaret, my mind racing with questions. "What's going on?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, like a secret shared between friends. "What did Mother Superior see outside?"
Sister Margaret looked around the room nervously, as if checking to see if anyone was listening, her eyes darting from corner to corner like a trapped animal. She glanced outside the door, her head cocked to one side, listening for any sign of movement, before turning back to me. "There are people out there who just came looking for you," she whispered, her voice barely audible, like a soft breeze rustling through leaves.
I raised an eyebrow, my skepticism evident, like a mask worn to hide my true feelings. "My family?" I asked, my tone sarcastic, like a joke shared between friends. "I don't think you understand, Sister. I'm an orphan. I've been here my whole life. I don't have a family."
Sister Margaret's expression was serious, her eyes locked onto mine like a key fitting into a lock. "I know that, Gabriel. But I have a feeling about this. These people...they seem different. They seem to know you."
After what felt like an eternity, Mother Superior returned to the office, but she wasn't alone. She was accompanied by a tall, hefty man who looked like a giant, his presence filling the room with an air of intimidation. He towered over me, his shadow casting a dark silhouette on the wall, making me feel small and vulnerable. Mother Superior's face was pale, her eyes wide with fear, as she pointed at me with a trembling finger.
"There he is," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, as if she was afraid to speak too loudly.
The man's eyes locked onto mine, his gaze piercing through me like a sword, making me feel like an insect under a microscope. He took a step closer, his massive frame looming over me, and I could feel his hot breath on my skin.
"Wow, just the perfect fit," he exclaimed, his voice dripping with excitement, like a child unwrapping a present on Christmas morning. "Exactly our boy."
I felt a wave of panic wash over me, my mind racing with questions. Who was this man? Where did he come from? And why did he seem to know me? I tried to speak, but my voice was caught in my throat, unable to escape.
"Do I know you?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, fear etched in every syllable, as I tried to hide behind my words.
The man chuckled, his grin spreading across his face like a crack in a mirror, making me feel like I was trapped in a nightmare. "Not yet," he said, "but you'll know me very soon."
Before I could react, he grabbed my wrist, his grip like a vice, crushing my bones and making me cry out in pain. I tried to pull away, but he was too strong, his fingers digging deep into my skin like claws.
"Mother Superior! Sister Margaret!" I cried out, desperate for help, my voice echoing off the walls as I was dragged away. "Please! Come rescue me!"
But they just stood there, watching in silence as the mystery man dragged me away, their faces expressionless, their eyes empty of any emotion, like two statues guarding a secret.
"Please!" I begged, my voice hoarse from shouting, my eyes pleading for help. "Don't let him take me!"
But they didn't move, didn't speak. They just let him drag me away, into the unknown, like a lamb being led to the slaughter.
As we emerged from the office, the bright sunlight was like a slap in the face, making me squint and blink rapidly. The man's grip on my wrist was like a vice, dragging me along as I struggled to keep up. I was still screaming and calling out for help, my voice hoarse from shouting, my throat burning from the effort.
"Help! Somebody help me!" I cried out, my eyes scanning the compound frantically for anyone who would come to my aid. I saw the other kids standing there, staring from a distance, their eyes wide with fear and curiosity. They seemed frozen in place, unable to move or speak, their faces pale and worried.
The sisters, too, were watching from the sidelines, their faces expressionless. I saw Sister Margaret standing there, her eyes fixed on me, her expression a mixture of sadness and resignation. I saw Sister Benedicta, her eyes wide with fear, her hands clasped together in a prayer.
"Please, Sister Margaret! Help me!" I begged, my voice cracking with desperation. "Please, don't let him take me away!"
But she just stood there, her eyes filled with a deep sorrow, her face pale and drawn.
As we passed by the playground, I saw the other kids staring at me, their faces filled with a mix of fear and fascination. Some of them took a step back, as if afraid to get too close. I saw Francis, my friend, his eyes wide with fear, his face pale.
"Gabriel, what's happening?" he asked, his voice trembling.
But I didn't have time to answer. The man was dragging me away, his grip tightening around my wrist.
"Let me go!" I shouted, trying to wriggle free. "I don't know who you are or where you're taking me!"
But the man just laughed, his eyes glinting with amusement. He seemed to enjoy my struggles, my fear.
"You'll find out soon enough," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
As we reached the gate, I saw the driver of a black car waiting for us, his face expressionless. He was a tall, thin man, with a scar above his left eyebrow.
"Get in," the man ordered, pushing me towards the car, as I went in.
But I resisted, trying to pull away. I kicked and struggled, but the man was too strong. He dragged me to the car, threw me inside, and slammed the door shut behind me.
As the car drove away, I saw the orphanage compound receding into the distance, the faces of the kids and sisters fading into memory. I was alone, trapped in a car with a stranger, heading towards an unknown destination. I was scared, my heart racing with fear, my mind filled with questions. Who was this man? Where was he taking me? What did he want from me?