episode 1

Life will never be the same again. Of course, jumping from one flaming pan to another.

Johnny inherited from great uncle Ben, a rundown orphanage up the northern province, hailing us away from Morgan City where we had lived for as long as I could remember. I don't know the whole details, but it was only four days ago that Johnny had gathered us to supper and told us the news. Emilia, the loving, trophy wife would do as her husband says as she was brought up in a Christian home where men lead and wife follow. She's a preacher's daughter, by the way.

I'm on the first name basis with them because you couldn't imagine my dismay over moving. It wasn't because I loved city life so more than the countryside, but there was someone I was waiting for in the city and never got the chance to see, because of this abrupt move. I pleaded with Johnny to let me stay with great aunt Martha, but he argued she already had enough grandchildren with her, there were twenty and adults boarding with her. He didn't feel at ease if I were to stay there alone.

So now, we're on the road, Johnny, Emilia, my two sisters, Tiffany and Lyra and our precious chihuahua, Toto. I'm Thea, by the way.

"Cheer up T, it's only an hour and forty-five minutes on the road and an hour on train, I only took you guys out to the city, but you're still going to school at the same. You get to keep all your friends still, just a new scenery," Johnny said, enthusiastically.

Uhuh. That was also another matter, I may be bummed that we're moving out of the city, but I expected we'd get transferred to another school, I preferred that. Not that I was bullied or anything, it's just that most kids my age at Elyria High are...lame. I hated it there.

"We could've taken that car deal offer by Mrs. Malone, so the girls could drive up the city, what's the use of having Tiffany get her driver's license and all?" Emilia added, with a hint of amusement.

"I don't mind travelling by train Daddy! Can we bring Toto!?" shrieked Lyra.

They laughed. "If you do decide to bring him Lyra, then you're going to pick up every single poo she scatters on the floor. Let's see if the train conductor doesn't kick you off the train," teased Tiffany.

Lyra pouted and scowled, "Thea, back me up!"

I leaned on the door window and shut my eyes, "I'm sleeping."

They giggled.

An Hour Later

Words cannot merely express what I was seeing now. The property was big and empty and...dull. The trees surrounding the manor were dead and grey, the grass wasn't greener here and the house, looked glorious despite the zombie look. Though it wasn't as rundown as I expected.

"well, what a nice property, all it needs is a little paint job, and realignment and it's all set to take in more children." Emilia said and I slowly looked at her appalled.

"Mom, that was quite insensitive!" Tiffany said and Emilia scoffed.

"What!?" she asked innocently.

"Were you seriously asking that more children turn up orphaned?" Tiffany added.

Emilia chuckled, "Well...honey. Better them orphaned than dead or starving on the street."

And that put Tiffy to silence. She had a point.

We circled the driveway and parked up front, the Headmaster, refined and old with a crane, tilting to one side stood at the bottom of the stairs. We got out of the car. Johnny greeted Mr. Forge, a man whom we learned was in his 70s and great uncle Ben's attorney.

"Welcome, Layne family. I'll let my boys pick up your luggage to your lodging, meanwhile you five-err-six," he said, smiling at Toto nestled in Lyra's arms, "To come join me in my office."

Three orphan boys, on command, got down from the stairs and pulled our bags out of the bar boot. One of them, slightly tumbled and I couldn't help but rush over, "Careful, please." I said,, and the little boy looked at me. "I have glasses in there." I said and he nodded firmly.

"Thea, dear, come along." called Emilia. My eyes lingered to where the boys took our luggage when a honk from behind made me run to my sisters.

"Chief!" called Mr. Forge.

A man wearing a refined police uniform was followed by a tall, slightly buff boy in farmer clothes covered in what smelled to be...blood. His head was hung low, arms tucked both on his side and his dirty blonde hair covered in blood covered half his face.

"Oh my goodness," Emilia gasped.

"Carlisle," the chief addressed Mr. Forge, "This is Joseph Sterling, found him sleeping on a horse carcass by the Sterling Farm, uh..." the chief took notice of us and paused. "Well uh, I'll let him in and take him to Doc inside," he said and gently patted the guys back.

I kept my eyes fixed on him as they walked past us, the scent of animal blood on him, made my skin crawl and yet, then and there I was curious to know him. They walked past us and turned the other way.

I guess...this place isn't so bad after all.

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