The Killer Fire Read online

  Chapter

  3

  Where am I?

  Stacey awoke confused; she had expected to see her own room at the break of dawn. Her embroidered red sofa arranged tidily at one end of her room, wasn’t there. Why? It startled her greatly when she sat in bed with another child within several yards of herself. Why? It shocked her that she could feel rounded bars (Presumably metal) digging into her spine. Why? Her walls were cream, not pink like at home. Why?

  Sadly, when Stacey left for the orphanage, she hadn’t realised the fact that she wouldn’t ever set foot in her old house again. It concerned her that any random stranger could move right into her house and claims it as theirs. The dreaded thought upset Stacey. She had adored her old house.

  When you walk in through the fine red door; directly in front of you are three neat pairs of shoes- one big, one medium and one small. You take a few steps into the house, after removing your shoes to prevent mud from sneaking in the house, which is always super clean, in front of you are six pegs. Because you want to stay in the pretty house, you pick a peg, red, orange, yellow, green, blue or purple, and hang your coat or jacket neatly on it. Next you wonder to the left to a dazzling white kitchen and you’ll notice the wooden table directly in the middle. The precious table had been made by the ancestors of Stacey and had run through her family for generation after generation. The heart stopping thought of the tradition of that table coming to an end was so appalling it caused Stacey to gag in horror.

  When you wonder out of the kitchen, if you can manage to stop admiring the table, you’ll come across a small, humble room. In the room were three comfortable seats and a table. This was the lounge. Unfortunately, Stacey’s family couldn’t afford a television, although many could.

  Later, when you are tired of downstairs, you can evacuate yourselves to upstairs to gaze at the bedrooms. The first bedroom, at the top of the stairs, is bigger than all the other rooms in the house therefore it was just for the adults. Stacey wasn’t allowed in there but she liked to dream- bright white walls, a gigantic king sized bed at one end and a sofa or two in the other. Next along was the bathroom, then the room belonging to Stacey in which held all her belongings such as her bed, sofa, and her precious book collection. Stacey owned a simple room, but she loved it even so!

  Stacey whished she had a relative to give the house to be her family was history- as far as she knew. Occasionally, she would hear brief, mild rumours of an aunt, uncle and cousins, but her family could never afford anything expensive such as a ticket alone to go to Florida on the ferry, yet three tickets to Florida. They could scarcely afford a single first class ticket each for the train. That was why the traditional, priceless table had meant so much to Stacey and her family.

  Later on in the day, when Stacey had recovered from her thoughts, Miss Battle-axe and Miss Cherry arrived in Stacey’s room. They declared that now Stacey had spent the night at the orphanage, it was time to try and find a guardian for her. Stacey’s spirits suddenly dropped when they suggested sending her off. What had she done that had been so awful they didn’t want her anymore? Miss Cherry considerately explained there are three reasons to send her off being; they were running out of space in the orphanage and that Stacey had other relatives. Miss Cherry didn’t have time to even start on the third reason because Stacey interrupted her-

  “What relatives?” Stacey didn’t know she had relatives! Stacey bottom jaw dropped in awe and shock.

  “Didn’t you know? Oh! Well haven’t you heard of Aunt Mary and Uncle Jim? They even have three children- bless them! The first one is called Jack and he is 19 now! I expect he might be living with his lady by now or possibly away working! The next son is called Matthew, he is only 13! A similar age to you I suppose. How old are you Stacey?” said Miss Cherry.

  “I’m only 11 years old,” Stacey replied obediently.

  “Great! Well their thirds, youngest child is called Tabitha and she is 11! I expect she will love to have a girl of her age around!” Miss Cherry bubbled with excitement- more excited than Stacey; she was as bubbly as oil when it makes contact with a hot frying pan!

  “Now what is your surname? Stacey _____?” Miss Cherry questioned.

  “Brown! She is Stacey brown,” Miss Battle-axe spluttered, feeling excluded from the conversation, however Miss Cherry didn’t seem impressed. “On to the interview then, let’s not get carried away like old ladies.” Miss Battle-axe ordered with a pitiful look on her stern face, as her stern face turned to Miss Cherry who was only in her late twenties!”

  Gradually, a blurred sound of footsteps began to meander up the stairs. Almost silence. Were all of the girls in trouble? “Dear. I guess Miss Battle-axe and I will have to decide what will happen to you.” Miss Cherry muttered, head held low- clearly hearing the silence coming from the girls.

  Once again, adults were choosing Stacey’s destiny.