The Dragon's mate

Trouble

Emily

I preferred school to the orphanage on any day. At school, I could at least study hard and aspire for a better future. Here, at the orphanage, I was treated as a slave. My warden hated me and made me do all sorts of menial jobs. Fortunately enough, till date, she had not asked me to clean the toilets.

"I hope that, you scrub the floors well. Also, change the sheets and the curtains of the guest room. We may have an important guest at our orphanage soon."

I wondered who that guest was. The warden was rarely enthusiastic unless someone offered to donate generously for the orphanage. Most of that money rarely went into the welfare of the orphans. I was absolutely sure that, the warden used a large sum to finance some illegal business of hers. Other than that, she would often use some amount to indulge herself. Her appearance as a chaste nun was just a facade. All the children in the orphanage knew exaclty how celibate a life he led.  

Some of the orphans, who had dared to divulge her secrets lived a life even more miserable than I did. These kids often diasappeared without trace. I was sure that I had seen one of them begging on the streets on my way to school last time. I kept mum as I did not have the power to reveal the warden's misdeeds. I knew that, being silent was perhaps against my ethics. But, I had no choice. I just had to bide my time till I turned eighteen. After that, I would be free.

I was busy scrubbing the floors when I saw Ling walking past. My heart did pain a little as my former best friend Rita was next to her. Rita, it seemed had been humoring me. She had completely discarded her facade now and treated me like garbage.

Something wet trickled down my forehead as I was busy working.

"How are you darling?" 

Tears threatend to flow but, I refused to give this satisfaction to Ling. I kept on working as I knew that the warden would punish me even more severely if I was unable to finished the work.

'It seems as if someone has become deaf and mute."

"Well good then. That's the way it should be."

Ling kicked me hard and while I refused to give them the satisfaction of having caused any pain to me, once they were out of sight I groaned. Ling's kick had really hit a vital point and I knew that, with all the work yet to be completed, sleeping tonight would only be a nightmare.

#####

Emily

"Please come in. Welcome to our very humble place. This way please."

It seemed as if, I was right. A rich merchant had decided to donate a large sum for our orphanage's welfare and, our warden was all smiles. I was shocked to listen to that fake sweetness dripping from her mouth. What disgusted me was the way our warden was behaving. Swaying her hips vulgarly and wearing a blouse that was too tight, she thought that she looked appealing, but, in my eyes it seemed that she was very tacky. The merchant, it seemed, did not mind and enjoyed the show that, the warden gave him.

Ling who was dressed in finery looked impressive. Even though I disliked her, I admitted that, she was looking like a princess. When the warden introduced the merchant to Ling a bright smile bloomed on the merchant's face. It looked as if, he had seen light at the end of the tunnel. Ling too was very polite. She knew how to suck up to those in power.

I don't know why but I was glad that, I remained hidden from the merchant's eyes. Dressed ordinarily, and bestowed with average looks the merchant did not spare me a second glance when he walked past me.

"You have an excellent orphanage."

"Thank you so much sir. It is very kind of you."

Our warden, was blushing.

"Are all the children in your orphanage only girls?"

"Yes Sir."

"Excellent ! Excellent!"

I could not understand what was excellent about it.

Our warden went all out to treat this visitor well. When he departed he looked at Ling again.

"You are very pretty Ling. My son would be glad to know you."

Ling blushed like a newly married bride. 

"It would be an honor sir."

"You are really well mannered Ling. We will meet each other soon."

Ling and the warden personally saw the rich merchant out.

"You're so lucky, Ling. Wow! There's Jake at school and now the merchant wants to introduce his son to you. You're so lucky Ling."

Ling's sidekicks buttered her. 

Ling tried to behave modestly but failed in her attempt to do so. The smile on her face gave her away.

####

A Few Days Later

Our school had been off for a week as, some renovation was going on. The young chief guest, Mr. Vern King had donated generously for the same. I still remembered the jolt of electricity that, I felt, pass through my body, when, our fingers had brushed accidentally against each other. I wondered why, I had ducked down. I came out from my daydream when I saw Ling alight from a car. The car was huge and seemed to be an expensive one. A very handsome guy stepped down andd kissed Ling. She giggled.

"Bye sweetheart, the guy said."

"Bye."

Ling batted her eyelids and looked shy. She looked sweet and demure, just like an innocent sixteen year old should. It was enought to make any man fall for her. I wondered what happened to her toy boy Jake from school. Perhaps he was not rich enough for her. I sighed inwardly. Life was indeed unfair. Here, I was mopping the floor and here Ling, it seemed had impressed the merchant and had gone out on a date with his only son.

When Ling entered I could feel her gaze on me. I did not look up and continued working. I did not want to land into any unnecessary trouble. Ling too went away quietly. For once she did not cause any trouble. That night when thirsty, I went down to have a glass of water. The lights in the warden's room were still on. Curiosity got the better of me and I tiptoed quietly to see what was going on. The door was slightly ajar and I peeped in, while trying to remain unnoticeable.

"Rest assured Sir, we will do our best to satisfy you."

"I really trust you and that is why I am speaking to you about this matter."

"Sir, Ling's happiness is the most important thing for me. Afterall, she is my deceased sister's child."

"I understand. The child has gone through a tragic infancy. She is very well behaved too. My son likes her. I'd like to get them engaged this year and these two can marry whe Ling turns eighteen."

"Thankyou for this honor sir."

"Don't be so polite. I am a businessman. You know the deal."

"Yes I do."

"Ever since my older son's wife passed away he has gone astray. He has promised to rejoin the business if I can get a young girl to warm his bed. Ling showed us the photos of many girls and my son wants this one."

I could not see the photograph that, the merchant was showing to the warden.

"Are you sure that, your son wants this girl, sir? We have better girls at the orphanage."

"Ah, don't worry. He does not have the intention to marry her."

"Then..."

The merchant laughed maniacally.

"My son, you know has these weird needs. He wants to fulfil those fantasies with this girl. Once he has had her fill we will sell the girl to the highest bidder."

The warden looked happy.

"That is an excellent idea sir. I fully support your decision."

"By the way, what is this girl's name?"

"Emily sir."

The words struck like thunder. I was too stunned to move.

''Where is she now?"

"She is asleep in her room sir."

"Very well, lace her food with sedatives tomorrow. We will take her with us after tomorrow's breakfast."

"Sure sir. Anything else sir."

"Yes, one more thing. Please me tonight. I'm sure you want it as much as I do."

"I'd be honored sir."

The rich merchant followed the warden into the bedroom. I hid behind the huge flowerpot and was not noticed by these two people drunk in lust. From what the warden had spoken, I was in deep trouble. It was two a.m right now. I just had four hours to escape.

I wondered where I could go. Sometimes life was indeed unkind. If I stayed back, I'd be thrown before an unknown stranger, who woud use me to satisfy himself. If I went out, anything coud happen to me. I was torn from inside. I quietly went to my room and packed a few essential items. After that, I walked out. I felt that, my chances of surviving were higher outside the orphanage.

The watchman as predicted, was asleep. The gate was locked and I could not risk opening it. It would set off the alarm. I summoned my energy and wished to jump the gate. To my immense surprise when I was standing outside when I opened my eyes.

"You are a special child. As long as you make a wish, it will come true."

I remembered my previous warden's words. 

I did not have the time to stop and ponder. I ran. I did not know where my legs were taking me. It seemed that, they had a mind of their own. I continued running. I ran for a very long time. The first rays of the morning sun were coming out now. I was getting tired. I do not know if I had managed to run away successfully. I was panting. My legs were screaming. My chest, it seemed, was in pain. Tears were rolling down my face. I wanted to escape from trouble. But, I wondered if my effort would be enough. I did not have any answers. I was angry inside. 

Fate, it seemed had been unkind to me. I was unable to think more as, precisely at this moment I fell down. My body was aching all over. I was hurt. My eyes closed as they were very tired now. Perhaps, I was dying. This was much better than allowing someone to strip me of my dignity. I smiled. I would welcome this death. It would end all my troubles.