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It had started raining by the time Zack returned inside, his bandaged hands and legs covered in mud, leaving tracks across the dirty kitchen tiles as he trudged towards the stairs to return to his room. His arms ached and his stomach growled. He was so tired and hungry but he doubted he'd be fed for his recent efforts. The last time he asked for food the woman that ran the orphanage had simply laughed in his face. All he wanted was to crawl into bed and sleep. As he reached the bottom step of the stairs he paused at the sight of a little girl sitting by the front door. He turned his head to look at her, uncaring if his bandaged face and asymmetrical eyes scared her. It wasn't a strange occurrence to see other children in this place. Sometimes the orphanage was crawling with kids of all ages that were soon either shipped off somewhere else or adopted out. Other times he was the only occupant that resided in the large home. Most of the time it was just him and a few straggler kids he would end up burying in the backyard.
The little girl gave him pause, though. She had long blonde hair that pooled down her back and skin so porcelain he was certain if he stared long enough he could see through her. She wore a sleeveless white dress that came just below her knees where she had them sticking out, the edges somewhat frayed. It was her eyes, though, that puzzled him. They were a bright, ocean blue, and yet they were hollow. They were glassy and seemed unreal. Was she a doll? Instead of going up the stairs as intended, Zack instead approached the doll, kneeling down in front of her to where they were eye level. He watched her intently for any movement and when the doll blinked at him he leaned back. What the hell? So she was real? What a creepy kid! When he moved to stand he heard footsteps approaching from the hallway behind him. He glanced over his shoulder to find the owner and his wife walking with an unfamiliar man, all smiling at each other.
"Thank you for bringing her here! Rachel will be taken care of like one of our own until we find her a perfect home." The wife gushed, her smile widening in such a way Zack was certain it would split her face. "Yes! The poor girl will get the proper care she needs! I hope our home can be of help to her. Lord knows she needs something to help her heal." The owner stated and the unfamiliar man laughed softly. "I'm glad. She does need someplace to make her happy."
When the three finally noticed Zack the fake smiles the owner and his wife wore were quickly wiped away at the sight of him. The woman's eyes narrowed and her mouth formed into a sneer but Zack barely blinked at her. It was the only acknowledgement she would get out of him.
"I guess Isaac has been getting to know our newest resident." The woman said, her voice touched by a small hunt of venom. "He's another orphan that has suffered great trauma. The poor boy barely speaks because of it. I'm so glad he's at least welcoming Rachel into our little family." The owner added and by the glint in his eyes Zack knew it was better he leave. "Go get upstairs and take a bath. You must have been playing in the mud all day!" The wife babbled, reaching out to pinch Zack's cheek but he stepped back. "My! You weren't kidding! What a quiet kid." The stranger said as Zack turned away back towards the stairs.
As he climbed towards the second story he gave one final look towards the little girl. She had turned her face somewhat and was watching him with her dead, blue eyes. He felt a shiver run down his spine at the sight. What the hell was her problem? Whatever it was he did not care. He just hoped she would be gone quickly. He didn't want to bury anyone else just yet.
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Zack had followed instructions and had taken a bath despite the pain it was to rewrap his bandages over his body. It was a tedious task that took him over an hour to finish but it seemed not worth it in the long run. He had to reuse his old wrappings that were already covered in blood and dirt and whatever else. Even bathing seemed like a waste since he had to put on his dirty clothes again after he was finished. By the time he was done pulling his shirt over his head he could smell the faint scent of food cooking down stairs. His stomach gave a loud growl and he winced, placing a hand over his abdomen, willing the gnawing pain of hunger to just go away. He couldn't really remember the last time he ate. Was it two? Three nights ago? Maybe even longer? He moved towards his bed, a mattress placed under the window with a few blankets and pillows on top of it, and when he placed his knees on the ratty mattress a knock came at his door.
"What?" He asked coldly.
When the door didn't open and no answer came outside he pushed himself back to his feet. What was he supposed to do now? Maybe the wife wanted him to clean the dirt he left on the floors. Maybe he'd have his head knocked in for making a mess in the first place. When he finally reached the door and pulled it open the last thing he expected was to see the little blonde girl from before standing in front of him. She had to tilt her head up to look at him since her head barely came up to his shoulder and her placid face wore a small frown, like she was thinking of something.
"What?" He asked again.
What a ballsy thing she was. Most kids that saw him ran the other direction, screaming that he was a monster, terrified by the way he looked. He remembered a kid that had come to stay in the orphanage for a short time before he was "adopted" out. He had taken one look at Isaac Foster and began crying. Instead of tears, though, the girl in front of him simply tilted her head to the side.
"I was told that is was my room. I must be mistaken." She said, looking past him into the barren room he called his.
Zack huffed. Of course the caretakers would send her alone to find her room. Instead of telling her to find her own way he simply pushed her back and pointed towards a door down the hall next to the bathroom. "That's yours." He told her and the girl nodded. "Oh. Thank you. Do you know when dinner will be ready?" She asked and it made him want to laugh at her.
She had no idea, huh? Had no idea what sort of hell she would be living in? Despite himself, a cruel smirk crossed his features, a light glinting in his mismatched eyes. What a stupid kid. Whatever bad place she'd come from would compare nothing to this place.
"Dinner?" He questioned and when she nodded he pushed her again, hard enough to make her stumble back. "There's no dinner for us. You want food? Go dig in the trash. That's where we belong." He sneered.
When those doll like eyes didn't so much as blink at his words he grit his teeth in annoyance. Why couldn't she act like the others? The least she could do was cry! He stepped back into his room and moved to close the door, and when he found the girl was still watching him, he glared at her.
"Do me a favor and die quickly. You're annoying."
With that he shut the door with a resounding 'click' and returned to his bed. For her sake he hoped she would take his advice.