Protector of the Enchanted

One more day. One more day and I'll finally have my freedom. I'm counting the hours, the minutes and even the seconds, the wait being almost unbearable. Tomorrow, I’m eighteen. Which means I can finally escape this place, well according to the note I can. You know, the note that was on top of little baby me in the basket. I may never be able to grow up with my parents, but one thing’s for sure, I will find them.

Though I want to find them, that’s not the only reason I can’t wait till tomorrow. Sure, it isn’t the worst situation someone can be in, I could be stuck in the middle of a war or about to be eaten by a starving shark, but it’s not the best either. I’ve been in the foster system since the day I was born, and not all the people I’ve stayed with have been nice. One of them, or well several, have tried to kill me! 

Unbidden flashes of the past come to mind at the thought, until I have to forcibly clear my mind. Phantom aches of injuries long since healed creating a buzz over my skin. They may not have succeeded but the scars remain. The system says that they wouldn't give children to families that may put them in danger, but in my experience, very little is done to enforce good behaviour. 

Becoming an adult means I never have to fear them again. I may not have a place to stay, or even an idea of where to go, but it's a lot better than this place. Besides, I'll undoubtably be kicked out soon anyways to reduce the number of mouths they need to feed. I'd rather leave on my own terms. It's a start to the rest of my life, and I'm damn well going to make sure it's a good one. 

As I plan my escape, I get ready for school. Normally, I’d stay in bed as late as I can, not wanting to bother with the world and all it's miseries, but today is different. This is going to be the last time I see these people so I might as well have some enthusiasm. When I’m ready and have got the typical things you need for school, I run out of the door with a huge grin on my face. 

Most of the day passes in a blur. It might be a special day for me, but it’s still school. Throughout the day people give me strange looks. Probably because I don’t really smile often and now I’m practically beaming with joy. They look at me like a I’m an alien, but why the hell should I care what they think? Honestly, I don’t even know most of them. To me, they’re just some random people I’ve rarely spoken to. The opinions I really care about are the people who really know me, sadly those people are way too rare.

When the end of the day approaches, I'm unable to stop my foot from incessantly tapping on the floor, my finger similarly moving on my thigh. My eyes drifting to my phone any moment I can spare, when the teacher isn't looking.  It was a gift from one of the few foster parents who were actually kind. I'm certain that it was given out of obligation and no small amount of guilt, but it was a useful gift regardless. As the lecture drones on, my hands progress to playing with my hair to distract from the monotone reiteration of things I've already learnt.

The facility I've moved to has somewhat of an intolerance to long hair. They make every child keep their hair tidy and have an obsession with not differing from the norm. It's well enough for me as I normally put my hair up in a high bun, leaving only wisps of a fringe on my forehead and two locks on either side resting just below my chin. It's an odd loophole, exploiting the technicality of it not being below my upper back.

I want to be in the sun. I want to be able to stay outdoors and roam until my skin is tanned by its light. A luxury that I can't have when I stay with the dictators that run the foster system. They don't care about children. They only care enough not to be hounded by the government on criminal charges. I suppose that's why it's prohibited to go outdoors for any reason other than school and compulsory activities. 

It's only when the ringing chime of the bell sounds that I realise my fingers have curled into fists. My nails creating imprints on my palms. It's what I've been waiting for, but I need a minute to regain my composure before I can move. Breath in. Breath out. Relax. A smile pulls my lips as I think of happier thoughts and make my way back to the hell hole I'll soon be leaving. 

The smile is still on my face as I quickly open the door to my room to get my things, only to halt in surprise. There, standing a little way down the hallway, is a little girl who's staring right at me. Her bright blue eyes narrowed in accusation. 

Silence fills the room, creating an odd stare-off between us. When it continues for a moment too long, I decide that it's best if I break it. “Hi. Um... What are you doing over there?” 

She looks at me for a minute before replying, "You’re going to leave. Aren’t you?"

I sigh. If it were anyone else I'd ignore them, but these kids have already been ignored for long enough to add to the list. “Yes. Yes I am.” 

My eyes flicker over her tense form, taking in the distant gleam in her eyes, the way her face is guarded so as to not let any emotion show. It sends an ache to my heart, unexpected sorrow clogging my throat. Reminds me of someone. 

She keeps peering at me with her big eyes, nodding to herself with feigned indifference. “I’m going to miss you.” she says with a blank face. 

“Why? Sweetheart, we haven't known each other very long.” I'm aware that it's easy to form an attachment, but I've been trying my best not to spend enough time with them not to. I don't want to leave broken hearts and loneliness in my wake. 

When she gives me no response, my feet stride across the hallway to kneel in front of her until she doesn't have to look up to meet my eyes. "I'm going to have to leave sometime Maya, it's inevitable." 

Her lips purse into a pout, her nose scrunching up as she fights back tears. "But why does it have to be right now? You make it hurt less." 

This child. She's always putting on a brave face, even when she trips over her feet chasing after her friends. I remember the way she held her bleeding knee and refused to cry. The kids around her are either too small to tell the difference, or too jaded to care. So, what other option did I have to patch her up? I suppose it had a bigger impact than I thought. 

"Sweetheart." I wait until she meets my eyes before going on, "I know that it hurts now, but it's going to be okay. You're a very cute kid. Too adorable to be alone for long. Someone's bound to want to adopt you." 

"But, what if they don't?" She can't keep the insecurity from her voice this time.

My hand moves above her head, waiting for a moment to make sure she's comfortable with it before stroking through her hair. "Then you'll still have your friends for company and a whole world waiting for you when you're old enough." 

I keep stroking her hair and watch as she melts a little, letting her self feel. It's very sad, seeing the difference one kind gesture can make. If only there was a way to make sure every child got the warmth they deserve. But the world is cruel and humans are flawed, so the innocent suffer. 

"In whichever case," My hands gently move to wipe away her tears, "you'll be just fine."

She sniffs as more tears pool. "You think so?" 

I give her a smile. "I know so. You're pretty brave kiddo. I just know you're going to be great."

"Like batman?"

That shocks a laugh out of me for a minute but I immediately smother it, not wanting to offend her. "Like batman." I ruffle her hair as I stand up. "But you need to get some sleep to be a great superhero. And to beat bad guys." 

I'm just about to start walking, when her small body comes barrelling into me. Thin arms wrapping around me as she buries her face into my stomach. My arms move on autopilot as I bend a little to return the hug. I'm not going to deny her when she so desperately needs it. 

When she pulls back, there's a weak smile on her face, but a flicker of light on her eyes where only blankness remained before. "Good night." She takes a step back. "And good luck!" Then she's running off back to her room before I can reply. Ears tinged pink with what's most certainly embarrassment. 

Shaking my head, a fond smile comes onto my face without conscious thought. I suppose she's not the only one who got attached too easily. My traitorous heart melted without me even realising. Regardless, there are some plans that can't change and she's safer here than with me. Especially since I don't know where I'm going to go. Better a familiar place than an unfamiliar fate. 

Once in my room, I pull out the big duffle bag I bought for the occasion. I had to sneak out of school to get it and it did take some stealth to avoid teachers and make it back in time, but it was definitely worth it. As I pack all my belongings into it, my thoughts roam elsewhere. More specifically, Maya. 

With all my heart, I hope she has a better time than I did. She's. a cute kid, but that doesn't mean people aren't cruel. The number of people who want a baby opposed to a young child are shocking. I can't help but equate it to how some people prefer puppies over grown dogs, they want something they can mold into what they want. 

That's not to say it's the only motivation those people may have. I'm well aware that the reason some people may prefer it is because they're afraid of not being able to be attached. Afraid that they won't be able to give the child the love they deserve. Reasons for actions are as varied as people, but that doesn't stop the actions from being cruel. Especially for impressionable children, who might feel like the fault is on them. 

So I'll dare to hope, and assume that she'll have better luck than others. Even if only as consolation to the regret of not being able to take her with me. It would be both illegal and inconvenient if I did and she deserves better. As all children do, she deserves to be safe and worry about the rest later. 

While I'm packing, there's a knock on the door, causing me to freeze and hide the bag underneath the bed. This can't be good. 

"What are you doing in there girl!" A croaky voice rasps through the door. 

Not wanting him to walk through the door, I reply with the only thing that may prevent it. "I'm changing my clothes. They're a little dirty from school." They do have some boundaries.  

A grunt is given in response to that. "Well hurry up! We haven't got all night and you still need ta greet the director." Then without waiting for a reply the disgruntled old man storms off. 

Ah. That's right. I need to greet the director to fill in some paper work if I want to be legally able to leave after I'm of age. Normally, I wouldn't stress too much about standard procedures, but there's a sinking in my gut that screams something's off. Like going there would be a mistake. My instincts have never led me astray before, so I decide it's best to follow them now. 

No waiting till tomorrow. I need to leave now. It's frantic and most probably reckless, but it's what my instincts are screaming at me to do. So I shove the rest of my belongings into the bag and zip it close in a more hurried manner. There's no time to waste. I need to leave before he comes back. I need to go. 

Luckily, I'd printed a copy of the necessary documents and have already filled them out, so I place the envelope on my ragged bed and tighten my shoelaces, slinging the bag across my shoulders so it's resting centred on my back. My eyes roam across the room before coming to rest on the window facing the street. There's a fall of two feet from where I'm standing and a jump of the same to reach it. I'd also have to somehow get it open when I'm on the ledge as well, but it doesn't have a lock so that would definitely be doable. 

Looking down, I realise I’m wearing; black leggings, a red shirt, blue leather jacket and purple leather boots with flat heels. Which isn't ideal for what I'm going to need to do, but it’ll just have to suffice. There's no time to change. There are small shelves along the wall, and some of the bricks are jutting out, which would make good footholds if this doesn't work. I take a step back, giving myself space to propel myself into a handstand, before somersaulting myself onto the ledge. Taking care not to make sound, I slowly push the window open and immediately climb out. 

Miraculously, I managed to keep my movements silent, which means I won't need to deal with unwanted consequences. It's at moments such as these that I'm grateful that I have a background in gymnastics, otherwise I would have never been able to make the necessary movements to land on my feet after scaling the tree. And I certainly wouldn't have been able to do it so stealthily. 

I probably should have thought of a plan before escaping, but the urge to get out was too strong to spare any more time. As soon as I'm at a reasonable distance not to get caught, I make a run for it. I'm not taking any chances. The larger the distance between me and that place, the better. 

My breath feels painful in throat as I reach the bus stop in time to catch the bus already stationed there. It doesn't really matter which bus since it's not like I have a destination in mind. All I want to be is away from here. Thus I just sit there peering out the window until the bus reaches its last stop and I'm forced to get off. I slowly walk out of the bus and sit down in the bus shelter, holding my bag tightly as buried thoughts surface at the worst possible moment.

What was I thinking? I have no idea where to go. I have nowhere to return to and I don’t have enough money for a hotel either. I’m stranded out in the cold. I was so paranoid that I didn't even eat much before leaving. This has got to be the single most recklessly stupid thing I've ever done, and I've done some stupid things. 

I suppose that's why I decide to follow it. It’s a strange noise. It doesn’t sound like anything from this world. If I had to describe it in a sentence, it sounds like a million different emotion from a million voices crying out in unison. It seems oddly magical, which is why it piques my curiosity. It leads me to walk through multiple houses and abandoned streets before my feet come to a stop at the apparent source. 

Looking around, I see nothing. Simply darkness as far as my eyes can see. I’m about to just walk away, when something at the corner of my eye catches my attention. It’s like a bright glowing globe which, as soon as I look, starts to move. You’d think I’d learn not to let my curiosity get the better of me, but I follow it anyway. After what seems like forever, it stops and then, just like the sound, disappears.

Looking around, I see a dilapidated, crumbling building that looks like it should have demolished a long time ago. A small part of me wonders why it isn't. But a larger part of me feels too tired from recent events to give it any further thought. With heavy eyes and aching legs, I decide that it's best to just spend the night here. 

It seems clean enough and there's enough space between the rubble for me lie down. It's also warm as the walls are still standing in the part of the building I've wondered into. It beats sleeping in the cold, so I'll take what I can get. I'll worry about the rest tomorrow. 

It could just be my sleepy imagination, but I swear I saw an arched door with the image of a rose framed with thorns and petals  for a split second before my eyes give out and my mind goes blank. 

When they flicker open, it's to the sun shining down into them and the chirping of birds. A loud yawn escapes as I rub my eyes to clear them of the remaining sleep and groggily stand to gather my bag. 

"Happy birthday to me." Another yawn. "Now let's get out of here." It's a good thing there's no one around otherwise they'd think me crazy for talking to myself. 

The sky is bright blue, with only a few fluffy white clouds. A seemingly perfect day. I'll take it as a good sign and keep moving. Wandering aimlessly, I eventually find myself in front of a sign that tell me I'm near a beach. 

It only takes a second for me to make my decision. I've always wanted to go to a beach but have never been able to whether by circumstance or by choice. I have nowhere to go and nobody waiting for me, so what better to do on my birthday than fulfil an old dream. 

“I am going to the beach.” I whisper to myself, a smile curving my lips. Something at the furthest corner of my mind thinks this small decision will change my life forever.