Fresh Freedom

The menacing growl from my stomach brings me out of my unconscious spell. It reminds me that I've only eaten once today, and that was hours ago. I look at the small window with aluminum foil on it.

I slowly get up using my elbows to steady me. I put one hand on my knee and the other on the ground to support my weight.

I get to my feet and trudgingly walk over to the window and rip off some of the foil. The sun has set, and the sky is colored in pink and orange hues, letting me know it's almost dinner time.

I am on kitchen duty tonight. I have to be in the kitchen and start prepping for dinner before the kitchen staff get there.

I can't be a minute late, or I'll have to suffer Ms. Steven's wrath. Im too weak to bear another beating. Since I plan on escaping, I need to eat and save energy.

I can't do that if I'm locked in the basement with no food. I scurry to the kitchen, trying to avoid being noticed.

I go down the dormitory and make a right to go down the stairs. The interior of the orphange is really plain with a minimalist design. There's an old chandelier hanging from the ceiling, with smooth white tiled floors.

The walls are eggshell white and bare without any paintings, pictures, or portraits. There aren't any plants placed throughout the building.

There's nothing exceptional to look at; just the walls, the ceiling, and the floor. When I make it downstairs, I continue down the hall and through the double doors into the dining area.

The dining area is spacious, with long tables set in five columns and in rows of six. The tables have chairs attached to them. It resembles a school cafeteria.

The kitchen is separated by a thin door with a small window at the top. I push the door open and enter the kitchen. I walk straight ahead to the kitchen sink, running some hot water and adding dish soap.

The dishes are piled up from yesterday's dinner. Instead of the kitchen staff washing the dishes, they leave them and let them pile up.

The tasks are left for me to do on the days I'm assigned for kitchen duty. Adults are the worse, and in my opinion, the most petty.

I sigh to myself as I look at a pile of dirty dishes."They won't wash themselves, sis." I roll my eyes and groan as I start putting plates and pots in the dish water.

I wash the plates and kitchenware in haste. I have to get started on prep before the kitchen staff enters in thirty minutes.

Once the dishes are cleaned, dried, and put in their designated spot, I wipe down the counters and sweep up the mess.

I go the double door refrigerator, that's on the wall to the right of the kitchen sink, and gather up the ingredients for tonight's dinner.

I get out the cutting board and place it on the counter adjacent to the kitchen door. I wash the vegetables, and then I began chopping up a few carrots, potatoes, and celery.

The head of the kitchen staff walks in and takes a quick glance around the kitchen, making sure my duties are complete.

The rest of the kitchen staff enters shortly after, and the rest of the hour is blur.Pots and pans clang and clash together as the aroma of seasoned beef waffs through the kitchen.

My stomach growls as my patience thins while waiting for the food to be prepared. I set out the carts that hold the lunch trays and silverware by the door of the dining area.

I hear a multitude of footsteps outside the dining area. The doors fly open when the stampede of kids rush through the door.

After everyone gets their food and is seated to eat, I go inside the kitchen and make myself a plate.

Scraps won't do for tonight. I need enough food to keep me energized for my escape. I also don't know when I'll eat again.

I finish my stew and clean my plate. I look at the clock that is hanging on the wall above the sink.

It's 8:30 pm, and the kitchen is now closed. They clean up and put everything away. Except for the dishes, of course.

I start washing them right away. I want to be able to sneak out of here at the right moment.

The guards change shifts at 9 pm, leaving the halls unattended. That will be my only opportunity to leave. If I miss it, I'm fucked.

I finish up my kitchen duties, and look at the clock. Its exactly 9pm. Shift change. There's a backdoor on the other side of the kitchen.

It's at the end the hallway where the freezer and cooler are. It's how the kitchen staff gets their food deliveries. They store majority of in the cooler or freezer, and the rest goes to the dry foods shelf.

The door at the end of the hallway leads to the back of the orphange, which is fenced in.

With it being shift change, I notice the guard coming into the kitchen from the back door.

He's going to the office to clock out. That gives me about ten minutes to get out and get over the fence.

My heart is pounding as I watch the lanky man, in a brown collar shirt, walk past the kitchen, and into the hall through the dinning area's double doors.

As his footsteps fade into the distance, I bolt out of the kitchen and down the hallway. I push the door open and run towards the fence.

If I had to guess, I'd say the height of the fence is about seven feet. I don't have long. I use every ounce of strength, in my arms and legs, to lift myself off the ground.

I steadily and carefully climb the fence. I can hear the faint sound of the double doors opening and closing.

I start climbing faster, and finally make it over the fence, landing firm on my feet.

Lexington Orphange is in the middle of downtown, and therefore is surrounded by busy streets full of local shops and diners.

There are two dark green trash bins in front of the fence. As I hear the back door open, I jump behind the trash bins to conceal myself amidst the shadows.

I step back slowly, still in the shadow's mask. The oblivious guard puts his down, giving me the opportunity to turn and dash across the street.

My legs have a mind of their own, as they carry me past several buildings, and across many different streets.

I don't look back. I don't stop. I have no idea where I'm running to but I feel a wave of relief wash over me the further I get from that goddess forsaken place.

The first time, in a long time, a smile is spread across my lips, and almost touch my ears. I can't hold back the happiness I feel in my heart.

The fresh taste of freedom, my hair whipping against the brisk wind, and the adrenaline coursing through my veins are all so sweet.

I'm finally free, and it is exhilarating.