Mistakes

Chapter 1

The catalyst of my doom awaits before me. The tall, ancient building bears rickety wooden walks that creak perpetually. Vines have overtaken the surface, entwining their way through every crook and cranny. The pointed roof, of which scrapes the sky with its peak, glistens in the sunlight.

I scan below me, searching for smallest sign of people roaming the streets. Half of my conscious is reminding me that its Night, and everyone would be asleep. That everything would be alright.

The other, more, realistic half, invokes the countless mishaps that could take place. Families could have forgotten to hang up their blackout curtains to block the constant sunlight. Restless citizens could be observing the scene out their window. If one happened to glance up, well, that would be the end of me.

Shaking off the plummeting of my heart, I propel myself over the edge of one rooftop and onto the next. My feet dance over endless gaps between the buildings and drain pipes littered across the floor. I trapeze from one roof to the next, the Orphanage looming up ahead.

I freeze dead in my tracks, seemly glued to my spot. I had been out of the orphanage before, usually for the thrill of it. I hadn't been caught, at least not for this. Most people would call me crazy for pulling a stunt like I was. Especially because I had reached my Fifth Mistake. That meant I had only two chances left. Two more chances until they took me. Forever.

I could prevent any of this from occurring. All with one simple choice. To run away. Here and now. Run for the hills, start a new life. Leave what little I had behind to gain a new slate. No more worries about Mistakes, or the eyes of Ms. Chamlee constantly on me.

But I couldn't do that. Not to Rachel. She was the closest thing I had to family, to a sister. I couldn't abandon her. Not now, not ever. Rachel was the only ting keeping me from leaving. She had been there for me when the other girls pushed themselves away, afraid of my track record for mischief. She stood by my side when no one else would. Even risking her future to assist me. How could I possibly leave her to rot in this sorry excuse for a home?

Rachel would begin Counting soon, and I have to make sure she didn't follow down my path. Poor, sweet, innocent Rachel can not suffer my inevitable fate. I won't let it happen. I can't.

Breaking out of my stupor, I shake out my numb limbs. Pins and needles sweep over me, the prickling sensation bringing movement back into my legs. One after the other, I get my feet moving until I gain back my mobility.

I leap over the last chasm between the roofs, finally arriving at the Orphanage. I walk to the edge of the building. As I have countless times before, I swing my legs over the side, one by one, digging my feet into footholds. I slowly let my hands drop down, clinging to notches in the wooden wall.

My feet come in contact with the ledge of my window. I carefully reach down and slide my fingers under the slit created by the rock I left. I push open the window enough to slide in, feet first. I silently land on the ground, turn back, and close the window.

I begin to walk towards my bed, but a chilling voice fills my ears. The voice that haunts my nightmares, plaguing me endlessly.

"Miss. Georgie, I see you're back from your midnight stroll."