Saint Anges
Chapter 2
Melinda’s POV
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We Slowed down and turned into the orphanage, parking into a dirty and lonely parking lot, the only things keeping it company being the other parked cars, and trash littered amongst the ground. At first look, St Agnes looks to be an old abandoned building. The only thing that prevented us from turning around was the big worn sign to the right of the building that said, “Welcome to Saint Anges Orphanage '' in large faded letters. It helped also that there were other couples entering the building for the same reason we were: to find a new addition to our crazy, but always loving family. This was definitely the right place even if it didn’t look like it.
As we got closer to the building vivid red flags popped into sight that made me question if this was really a place for children. I saw large rusty bars decay and cover every window on the first floor. It started to look like the building housed violent criminals rather than innocent children.
“Phil, this place looks more like a prison then an actual orphanage. How could any child live in such a place as this?” I whispered with a mix of worry and anger as I grabbed Phils hand in a tight grip. His touch seemed to mirror my concern.
Phil looked at me with a puzzled expression. “I don’t know babe, I don’t know. All I know is that no child should have to live in an environment like this.” He stood silently for a moment and thought to himself about where we were. I didn’t want to interrupt him, he was probably thinking the same thing I was. “ Mel”
“Yes”
“I have a feeling that we’re not going to like what we see inside. It could be worse on the inside rather than what’s out here, but remember to take a deep breath. We came here to find a new addition to our family. Appearances can be deceiving you know. Lets give this place a chance”.
I Shake my head. Phil is right, I cant let the sorry state of this building judge the children I could meet before I even see them. I take a breath, and follow Phill into the building.
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Skye’s POV
As families walk in all I feel is the need to run. Run as fast and as far as I can. Everytime a new family comes into this dump ready to foster, I feel terrified. Terrified that I will leave with an abusive family that's worse than my previous ones . The worst part about this whole situation is that I'm more terrified to stay here at the orphanage. Staying here means that there's a higher chance of me getting hurt, and I really just don’t want to hurt anymore, I’m sick of being used and I'm sick of being hurt mentally and physically. As Families come up one after another I really do try to make a good impression,but why am i trying to fool myself there's a pretty low chance that any foster family would like me, or want me for who I am.
feeling weak from the previous beating from Ladon and the emotional rollercoaster from talking to so many foster families, I walk away from all the children, and families lingering around the area and step into the Library.Finding some markers and paper I sit down and draw.
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Melinda’s POV
As Phil and I walk into the building, I notice chipped paint on the dark brown walls, skinny children in clothes that don't fit properly, and a small amount of toys pieced together by duct tape being played with by the younger children in some sort of playroom.
squeezing Phil’s hand to control my anger , I turn my head and Whisper into Phils ear “I think you were right I don’t like what I see, I don't like it one bit. These people who are supposably nuns can't even get these poor children proper clothing to wear that fit them or enough food to be healthy, and look I don't even see one toy that isn't at least ten years old and pulled together by ugly black duct tape.”
“ I hear you babe. I am completely disgusted, I wish we could take every last child in this place home with us, like we did for Hunter and Natasha ”. Phil said in a tight voice
As I was talking with Phil I felt a light tug on my sweater, I looked down and saw a boy who looks about 3 years old with dark brown hair, big blue eyes, and the biggest smile ever. “Hi, I’m Jackson Corey what's your name”? Bending down to the small boys level I say “ My name is Melinda and this is my husband Phil, how old are you sweetheart”? I ask in a gentle tone. “I’m four and a half years old,” he says showing his 4 little fingers to us.
Once Jackson left we talked to a few more children ranging from 3 to 17 years old. While we were walking to the next child Phil tapped my shoulder, “Hey mel I think someone is in there, and hurt ” he said in a serious voice, which kind of concerned me.
“ In where”?
“In here the Library , listen it sounds like someone is pain”
I stopped walking instantly, looked through the dirty window and heard the quiet sobs and grunting of what seems to be a child . Opening the door as quietly as possible to prevent scarring whoever is in the room, I see a little girl who looks about 7 years old with long brown hair , clutching her stomach with her eyes squeezed closed.
Concerned I walked up to the little girl bent down to her level and asked “Hey Sweetie, you okay”?
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Skye’s Pov
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“ Dam this sucks” I cried out as another sharp pain traveled through my body from that lack of food I have consumed in the last few days. Trying to distract myself I picked up my bright red marker and tried to continue drawing the outline of my picture. “UGGGG” I cry even louder as the hunger pains irritate my injured ribs. As I squeeze my eyes close I Clutch my stomach determined to stop the immense amount of pain I’m feeling right now.
As big fat tears stream down my cheeks I hear a gentle voice next to me say, “Hey Sweetie, you okay”?
Jumping up out of my seat I see two people in the room, a man and a woman. Feeling surprised and boxed in , I try to move but end up tripping over my chair and falling on the ground.
Sitting In a tight ball I tried taking a deep breath to control my erratic breathing as I forced myself to do everything in my power to control the growing feeling of anxiety swimming in my belly from being surprised, and the agonizing pain I feel from aggravating my injuries more. As I finally start calming down I hear the same voice as before, but gentler “Hey kiddo your okay we are not going to hurt you.I’m Melinda Coulson and this is my husband Phil Coulson .Whats your name”?
“I’m Skye” I say eyeing them worriedly
“Hi Skye, that's a beautiful name”!
“Thanks” I utter as I give them a tiny smile
“ Hey Skye, It looks like you’re in some pain sweetheart, Is everything alright.”? As I was about to answer her question I saw her husband move forward and Melinda move closer to my body. Out of reflex I flinch and move my body farther away from the couple “I’m fine, I’m fine nothings wrong” I exclaim
As I move back ,I see the couple look at me worriedly, and have what looks to be a quiet conversation with their eyes. After a few minutes I hear Melinda again“I’m sorry for scaring you honey, I was just going to help you up from the floor. You really don’t seem alright Skye,you have a black eye, and a bruised Jaw which looks like it really hurts. you were also crying pretty loud and clutching your stomach! Are you positive you're feeling alright”?
Feeling angry all the sudden, I scream “I told you I’m fine”. After a few seconds I realize what I just did and start rocking back and forth feeling helpless muttering “I’m sorry, I’m sorry I didn’t mean it, I didn’t mean to yell at you please don’t hit me”.
“It’s okay” the man named phil said “We just want to make sure your alright thats all we are not going to hit you”
Looking up at the couple , and seeing their concerned faces and also feeling slightly upset with how I just exploded on them I decide I'll try to trust them. What's the worst that can happen? “ My stomach hurts real bad” I mumble just loud enough for them to hear me.
“I’m sorry your stomach hurts, do you think Phil and I can take a look at your stomach to help you feel better”?
Sitting back in my chair stiffly I considered the pros and cons of letting them help me. After a few moments I nodded my head and said “Only Melinda though”.
Melinda and Phil both nodded. As Melinda came closer Phil sat in a chair at the end of the long table which helped me somewhat feel less tense.
“Skye I’m going to lift your shirt and check your stomach now okay” As I was about to deny her that request Melinda lifted my shirt and gasped as she saw the large reddish purple bruise along the left side of my tiny body “Skye what happened to your stomach”?
Clutching my eyes closed I rubbed my fists against my eyes and said “ Most of the kids don’t like me, but i’m fine this isn't even the worse I got.” I mentioned with a tight smile
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Phil’s POV
As I heard Sykes reaction I looked at my wife with a concerned expression.
“Skye it’s not alright sweetheart no-one deserves that sort of pain, and no-one deserves to be hit.” I said in a firm but gentle voice to avoid scaring the little girl anymore.
“Even if your bad”? Skye asked as she scrunched up her face confused
“Even if your bad, no-one should hit you” I state
Sykes confused expression didn’t leave but she didn't ask any more questions, not wanting to push the girl any farther I decided to put this conversation to rest. I guess Mel had the same idea, because now she is telling Skye that we need to put some ice on her ribs.
As Skye stood up out of her chair, Melinda slowly pulled her hand back showing the young girl that she wanted her to hold her hand. Skye looked at Melinda's hand like she was contemplating if it was safe enough to take. After a few moments Skye took her hand and said,”I’ll show you where we keep the ice”.
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Skye’s
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As I was Sitting on a bench by the entrance with ice on my ribs. Melinda sat at the end of the wooden bench and Phil stood across from me a good five feet away. At first I felt really uncomfortable especially when they started asking me who hurt me again. I’m happy that I’m so good at reflecting questions because I really don't want Landon to hate me anymore than he already does. After a few minutes of what felt like intolerable silence I heard Miss Coulson ask me with a curious expression, “ how old are you skye ”?
“I just turned ten years old” I replied happy that the painful silence disappeared
“What do you like to do for fun” Phil asked, I turned, looked at Phil and thought about the question, what do I like to do? “I like drawing I guess, I don’t really know”
As I started talking to the couple, I realized how nice and funny they seemed but they also confuse me a little too. They said that even if you're bad you still should never get hit but that makes no sense. I almost always get hit if I'm bad, it doesn't matter if I'm at the orphanage or a foster family, they always hit when a child misbehaves. I didn’t like the families who beat me just to beat me, but I was alway taught if you're bad you should expect a lot of pain and privileges like food or sleeping on bed taken away. After a long while of contemplating I decided that they probably aren't telling me the truth and I continue cautiously with the conversation.
After about 20 minutes of talking May gently takes the ice pack from my stomach and tells me that my ribs should be good for now, and that I should reapply the ice three times a day for 20 minutes.
I look at Melinda and Phil and give them a big smile “Thanks for helping me,people don’t usually help!”
“No problem Skye, It was our absolute pleasure” Phil said with a giddy look on his face as Melinda nodded
“I think i’m going to go up to my room now. I'm pretty tired, thanks again for helping me. I really appreciate it”! When I was halfway up the old creaky stairs I heard Melinda call my name and ask me to come down for one more minute.
“Yea whats up Miss Coulson” I asked with confusion written all over my face.
“ Phil and I were wondering If you would like to be apart of our family”
“What”? I asked surprised
“We would like you to come home with us and be part of our family” Phil said with a huge smile on his face.
“You want me? Why? I’m just a stupid kid who causes to many problems trust me you dont want me, no-one does. I’m as bad as the devil and no-one will ever want me”.
“Skye that is not true. I may have only known you for a little while but I know you are an intelligent, sweet child with a bright future ahead, and we would love for you to be a part of our family”. Phil declared with so much conviction that I actually wanted to believe him.
I don’t remember anyone ever being so nice to before and I definitely rather be with the coulsons even if they turn out to be abusive, because I definitely don’t want to stay here and be tortured by the other children and nuns. , without a second thought I nodded my head, “Okay i'll come home with you”.
“They both smiled really big nodded their heads and said “I’m happy your coming home with us” at the same time