The Red Riding Hood Society for Lost Girls

The New Girls

Red watched the bus as it came down the drive to the main parking area. There didn't seem to be many girls on the bus this time - she could only see about ten heads bobbing up and down as the bus made it's way over the gravel. She just finished checking the dorms and was glad to see that Doc Brown was here to see the girls. Sometimes the girls that came to this place had suffered horrendous abuse in the previous life. That's what Red liked to refer to her past - as her previous life. Not her life now. She felt it helped her get through the days when she'd wake up with bad dreams. It was like her mantra. She would repeat it in the mornings while brushing her teeth. With each brush she'd think, "Not my life now."

She snapped out of her reverie as the girls stepped off the bus. She was right, there were 10 disheveled, scared and hungry girls. They looked like their ages ranged from 8 to 17. The smallest girl stood away from the others, with her head bowed. Her long, limp braids hung to her tiny little waist, and the sack she wore barely covered her. Red could see bruises on her arms, and also noted that the girl wore no shoes. Her feet looked ragged, as if she had ran long distances through stickers and weeds. Red walked to her, and knelt down in front of this sad little girl. She had come prepared, and pulled a worn stuffed rabbit out of her bag.

She softly said hello to the girl, as to not startle her. The little girl raised her eyes slightly. Red handed the stuffed rabbit to the girl. She hesitated briefly, before reaching one grimy and bruised arm out to take the gift. She looked at Red with wide green eyes. She had a scar of her own, that almost matched Red's. Red smiled at the girl and said, "What's your name?" With barely a whisper, the girl answered, "Gretel." Red stood up and reached a hand out to Gretel. Gretel took Red's hand in her own. She looked up at Red and said quietly, "I'm hungry." Red smiled and led this little cherub of a girl to the dining hall. She thought cook would have something ready for this wayward bunch.

Gretel washed her hands and face at the sink before getting a plate. Red smiled at the little girl's manners. She thought back to the day she came here, and she didn't have that much discipline. She had rushed right to the food line and piled her plate as high as she could. Gretel gracefully walked to the end of the food line, picked up a white ceramic plate, placed it on a tray and proceeded down the line. She politely asked for a few things, and thanked the ladies that dished up the food. Red trailed behind, and picked up a few small bites for herself, then directed Gretel to a table and chair and sat down next to her.

She tried to engage Gretel in some conversation, but Gretel was too interested in eating. She held the stuffed rabbit in one arm while scooping up some mashed potatoes. Red glanced at Gretel's plate. The only thing the girl had taken was some mashed potatoes and some applesauce. She studied the girl for a moment, and noticed that there was more bruising across her jawline, as well as some swelling. "Does it hurt to chew?" The girl nodded. "After you've had enough, let's go see Doc Brown. He can help you with the pain, and also see how much damage has been done." Gretel looked frightened and started shaking her head. "It's okay, I will go with you. Will that help you feel better?" Gretel nodded her head. Red smiled and nibbled on her plate. The only thing she had taken was a muffin, and it was suddenly dry in her mouth. This little girl had been through a lot.

She went to the food line and grabbed a carton of chocolate milk, and a straw. She headed back to the table and set it down in front of Gretel. She was rewarded with a smile from the shy little girl. Red thought for a moment. She didn't know if putting her in the dorm would be a good idea as she was much younger than the other girls, and seemed the most scared. She knew it was against protocol, but she thought she would let Gretel stay with her for a few days; at least till she became used to this place. "Gretel, would you like to stay in my cottage with me for a few days?" Gretel smiled and nodded her head in agreement. "It's settled then. After we see Doc Brown, we'll go to the clothes closet and grab some stuff for you. Then we can go to my place and I'll show you where you can sleep. I also have a big bath tub and you can take a bubble bath." Gretel pushed her plate away and stood up.

Red and Gretel took their trays to the cart that held the  trays that were used to carry the dirty dishes. They scraped their food off into the trash can, then neatly stacked their plates for the cleaning crew. Gretel reached for Red's hand and they took off to Doc's place. She knew that Em was taking care of settling the rest of the group, so she was free to focus on Gretel.