Chapter two

           Coal awoke to a pounding head and side, groaning, he opened his eyes, staring sullenly at the creaky old beams rotting on the ceiling. He lay there, trying to recall what had happened, There had been the yard and, .... and Ben! Yes, he remembered now! Ben! Suddenly he realized why his side hurt so much. He carefully pulled the blanket off of his side, then slowly pulled his shirt up, then he sat there for a moment, before letting a long whistle out between his teeth. His whole side was green and purple, it hurt just to look at it! He stared for what seemed like an eternity at it before their was a knock and the door suddenly opened. His head jerked quickly to look at the door for a moment, as he hurriedly pulled his shirt back down and pulled the blanket over him.  He turned his head, and didn't comment when Breeze came in. She was wearing a drab grey orphanage dress, and a sorrowful look as she came and stood by his bed, staring into his eyes for the longest time. Coal noted with interest that her eyes were rimmed with red before he finally croaked,"what's wrong?"

           "Kish was adopted." She replied softly.
"What?!" He cried, wincing as he sat up in alarm. Breeze nodded sadly,"He was adopted yesterday morning."
           "But, ... how?!" Coal cried," He and I are never adopted!"
"Well he was." Breeze replied,"After they took you up here, Kish and I talked all day long, He's really not so bad. Then they came down, and said that you only had a couple of broken ribs, and that you weren't going to die. The next morning, an awful looking man came and talked to the Matron all morning, then they came and got Kish."
           "They didn't even line up all the kids in the orphanage so the man could pick?" Coal asked incredulously,"They just came and got Kish?"
            "Yes." Breeze nodded,"He was excited about it, even though I didn't like the look of the man. He told me to tell you he was sorry he couldn't say goodbye."
            "That's not the real reason you were crying, is it?" He said softly.
She started, then teared up before saying,"No. I was crying because of what happened after he left."
           "What?" Coal asked. Tears poured down her fair cheeks as she handed him a letter stained with tears.

         To the daughter of Marn,
             Breeze, we are sorry to inform you that your parents have met with a terrible accident, and that they are now deceased. We are going to leave you in the orphanage, seeing as it is where you belong now.
                                                                                              Informant Guild

          Coal looked up to see Breeze haunched over, sobbing, and said,"Oh, Breeze, I'm so sorry!" She merely nodded in reply. Coal in an effort to cheer her, started to get up, his mind was racing to find ways to divert her focus from the letter,"Let's go find out the truth." He said. He had no Idea if that really was the truth, but he had to think of something to make her feel better!

         "What?" She blubbered, looking at him through tears.

         "I said, let's go get the real story!" He cried, more sure of his idea now. 

        "What do you mean?" Breeze choked. He stood up straight, wincing at the pain in his side before putting on a thoughtful look and saying,"I don't believe that letter for one minute! So we are running away. Tonight." He might as well, the orphanage wasn't worth living in if there was no Kish. He knew it was abrupt, but after a life in the orphanage, he needed to have an adventure. "Let's meet at midnight." Everything was happening so fast, he could hardly believe it. Breeze, after getting over the initial shock, finally nodded and left to go get ready. Coal also decided to get ready. He was still in his nightclothes, so he peeled them off, wincing in pain every time he jostled his side. Then he got ready, pulling on his hardiest clothes and toughest shoes. Granted, they still weren't very strong anyway. Now all he had to do was wait.

        

Author's Note

This chapter might seem rather abrupt, but I wanted it that way. :) ;) more fun, right? Well, please review, and tell me what you think. :)

Reviews

[Stars and Whales]

Short chapter, but a great twist to the already intriguing plot! I loved it. Very fast paced: I like that in a novel. Very nicely done.

[Calibaster]

Thank you.

[RainDancer1997]

Adopted, good twist!:) This is getting pretty good:)!! Great chapter:)

[Calibaster]

Good, I was worried that it was too abrupt. :)

[RainDancer1997]

Nahh I think a story should always have twist and surprises to make it more enjoyable:)

[Calibaster]

Phew. Well, that's a relief! :) ;)

[Low C]

I concur! I like twists.

[Calibaster]

Thank you!