Wishing Only Goes So Far

Chapter 1

Ding, ding, ding, the dinner bell began its ominous shrill through the corridors of the

orphanage. And there I sat on my cot, trying to drown out the sound of gloom, and despair

of the lonely children I'd grown so used to. Ever since my parent died a year ago-leaving me

and my younger sister, Madeline, who had already been adopted- I'd spent my days in this

dungeon of a place.

"Maggie!" The old witch Ms. Lewis, who was the supervisor here, called my name. "Quit

your dilly-dally and get in the Dinning Hall!"

Ha! I thought humorlessly. Dinning hall! It might as well be a garbage dump with all those

mice running around! And that smell! Oh, that awful stench! Unhappily, I made my way to the

gruesome dinning room.

When you look inside the strange orphanage I was staying in, it seems all the color had

been sucked out of its walls. But, with all the sadness and sorrow, colorful walls wouldn't

feel right.

Luckily, my eleven year old sister had escaped its hold. Now, she would probably be

eating ice cream, or playing with her new brothers and sisters. I usually spent my time

imagining her somewhere happy, and hopefully, the opposite of this nightmare.

Greeting me just outside the confines of the double doors, was the disgusting smell of

sour milk, and rotting fruit. Although I had been in the grotesque place hundreds of times

before, my nose still sent signals of protest to my brain.

"Maggie!" A small red-headed girl claimed my attention. She was waving her hand towards

herself, urging me to come see her.

"Hey, Suzie." I said when I began to cross the linoleum floor. Sitting beside Suzie was her

twin sister, Scarlett. Not unlike the other kids there, they were also orphans. They were only

two years younger then my fifteen years.

When I sat down next to my friends, I realized that they both had their noses scrunched up.

Clearly, they were as used to the smell as me.

"Hi," Scarlett said unenthusiastically.

"Did you hear about what Ms. Lewis is gonna' say?" Suzie asked. You could tell she was

about to jump out of her seat from excitement. Suzie and Scarlett had two completely

different personalities. While Suzie is outgoing and rather giggly, Scarlett is more quiet, but

just as lovable.

I shook my head, puzzled. "No."

"Neither have I! Scarlett said she heard someone say that she has a special

announcement. The suspense is killing me!"

Beside Suzie, Scarlett rolled her eyes at her sisters enthusiasm. "Its probably just another

'visit' from some rich family, looking for little kids, if anything."

Scarlett had a point. Teenagers don't usually get adopted. Usually, they stay in the

orphanage until their eighteen, then they're on their own. Sighing with grief, I tried to look at

the positive: at least someone was coming.

As the dinner hall continued to be filled with noise from the many people, I saw Mrs. Lewis

step cautiously into the smelly area.

Unsuccessfully, Mrs. Lewis forced an angry cough out of her throat, a sad attempt to cease

the babble. Finally, out of frustration, she whistled loudly. Abruptly, all conversation came to a

halt.

"Listen up!" her agitated voice rang out. "Tomorrow afternoon, we have a special guest

coming. And, you must be on your best behavior. I've heard the very woman coming that she

is looking for a teen specifically." Shocked gasps filled the air.

"So, I expect you all to at least try and behave." She shrugged, "If not, the you're not going to

get a home. That's all" Quickly, she stepped out of the room, grasping for air, I assumed.

Instantly, shouts of joy and anticipation came from everywhere. A rare thing there, since

most of the occupants were teenagers like myself.

"Can you believe it, Scarlett? We might actually be able leave!" Suzie's face was full of

happiness.

Even Scarlett couldn't hide her shock. "Suzie, do you know what this means? We might

actually be able to have food that actually tastes good!"

Suddenly, my mind filled with possibilities. I could be free! Free to go outside, and not worry

about being late for supper, and going to bed on an empty stomach. I might even be able to

see Madeline again! Slowly, a smile crept onto my lips.

Since we were all hyped up about the coming day, the rest of the evening went by

sluggishly. No matter how tired I was, I found no rest that night.