Chapter 1

In the busy streets of London amongst the towering buildings stood a womans tall figure in the shadows. Her name was Heidi. She had freckles from ear to ear, a petite nose, pronounced lips complimented by her rosy cheeks and daringly brown eyes. Her chestnut hair drapsed down her back in waves and tangles. Her view on life was incredibly different to everybody else.  As a child she grew up in an orphanage, this is where her story began. 

St. Marshalls London Orphanage and School was home to hundreds of abandoned children. It was known as one of the most prestegious orphanages in the whole of London. The orphanage was held in a high-fenced victorian building topped with a brick red roof.  Throughout every hall there were nuns passing through checking for any disruptive chilldren out of bed; The orphanage was known well for its strict culture.

I was 15 when I was dropped off at the orphanage by my Aunt Elizabeth. I was still struck with confusion as to why I was here, I didn't know where my parents were and why I could not see them. I was struggling to hold an old buckled suitcase in my hands and my Aunt had a look on her face as thought she could start to cry any second. As my Aunt appproached the oak front doors leading into the orphanage and was about to knock, one of the nuns came rushing out as if she was expecting somebody. She had an aged face and clear blue eyes, but the rest of her body was covered from head to toe in black and white robes so no other features were known of.

"My dear, you'll be safe with us." cried the nun as she placed her hand on my shoulder acting sympathetic towards me. I did not know why she did this and I wanted an explanation. 

"Come along with me dear, I'll take your bags." She did so and I followed her into the unknown. But before I could do so my Aunt pulled me back.

"Heidi dear, I know you are confused but you must do as you are told as this is the safest option for you." 

I did not reply. As a matter of fact I didn't think I wanted to. Instead i just embraced her in a hug as I did not know when I would see her next. We waved our goodbyes and I turned back to the nun who was encouraging me to come over with a smile on her face. I slowly walked over to her while I examined what I would be living in. We were locked in by pitchforked gates and I wondered why you would need these at a childrens orphanage. I knew one thing for sure that I didn't trust anybody. In front of me was a monstrousity of a building that made my house seem miniscule. Was this where I was going to have to live?

I was sitting down on my metal framed bed taking in my surroundings. The nun who I figured out was named Annabeth had lead me up here. She also showed be where I would be having supper, the toileteries and where I would have classes. I was disspointed to find that not one person told me what was happening. I felt as though I had been cut off from the world, like I was the last endangered animal left. My room was very cold, damp and the least bit welcoming. There were six indentical beds in the room and each of them had a personal belonging such as a photo on their bed side tables. I noticed a boy about my age sitting by the window looking glumly out of it, I wondered if he knew I was in here. 

"Hi...  I-I'm Heidi." I hesitated nervously.

He wiped his eyes of the back of his hands and turned his head to face me. His hair was a beautiful brown and he had styled it scruffly on his head, his skin was pale and reminded me of the snow I had seen in Canada with my parents. Then I saw something beautiful amongst his grieving face. Behind his red, puffy eyelids were the most intruiging eyes I had ever seen. Piercing blue eyes shot out at me and I felt hypnotized by them. He smiled at me but not the kind of genuine smile you would see from a happy child, it didn't seem real, as if it had been painted onto a blank canvas. There was something about him that make me want to know more, he seemed like a book of secrets and there was a lock in between me and him. I did not know why but I felt as if we were in the same boat. His smile faded away into the shadows and he continued to gaze out into the damp grey November sky.

I stayed in my room until supper, my mind was ocupied with enough thoughts to keep me entertained. I guessed it was 7' o clock when the nun came knocking on our door anouncing that supper was ready. I stood up and glanced over at the boy who had not moved. 

"Are you coming to supper?' I asked nervously.

"No... I'm not hungry." He didn't bother to look at me. I didn't want to argue so I made my way downstairs.

Sitting in front of me on a cold metal tray was cold mashed potato, peas and some type of meat in a stew. It was not the most appetizing meal but my stomach was craving it. The children around me looked duller then me, as though they had had this meal countless times. As I looked down the long wooden table I saw a little girl who seemed as happy as can be. She made me smile but then I wondered how long she had been here. She may have just arrived. How long will she be here for?Its not the most appealing place for a child to grow up in.