Tammy's POV

The delivery truck stopped suddenly after what felt like forever and I swear I was going to puke if we went any further. We all jerked forward gasps escaping the girls seated around me. We were the last five out of the great mob and I was the oldest so they all looked up to me for protection and more.

The back door was pulled above letting enormous light into the dark we were engulfed in. I winced placing my hand over my face to spare my eyes from the light.

"C'mon, y'all we're here," I heard James tell us. "Carter! c'mon over and help me with these girls." He hollered into the distance.

We hear scampers on the dry ground and a tall muscular dirty blonde boy approaches the van.

"C'mon," he motions towards us. The girls stand behind me and the blonde guy hided his urge to laugh but I couldn't blame him,could I?

"Its okay. He...he just wants to help us down." I turn to them. The girls nod slowly coming to the front. The blonde guy lifts them carefully to the ground. He grabs me by the waist and effortlessly puts me down keeping my gaze locked with his. I feel the heat of his straight gaze burn my cheeks as I pull away mumbling a thanks.

"That'll be it for now,Carter." I hear James' voice.

Oh,His name's Carter. Like I didn't already hear that,Pfft!

Carter nods walking past us and before he runs off,he shoots me a glance with a tiny smirk curving his lips. My gaze drops while I smile. I really didn't know how to react or what his smile meant but I knew he was being just friendly,right?

"Okay,let's move it." James clamoured snapping me out of my thoughts. We follow his slowly and just around a corner,a large house comes into view and I can't help but gasp silently.

Its foundation was raised to three large stories. The white appearance it portrayed so appealing to the onlookers which I was one of. James led us through a stone run way with red rose trees running in a straight line till the porch. I had to fight the urge of smelling one of the roses. This view of roses reminded me of the Abby's garden. So pleasant and serene and these monsters took that away from us.

James pushed open large hall doors similar with the ones at the Abby. He waited for us to enter before he left it to shut on its own.

"Welcome to your new home," He announced but we all just looked blankly at him. "You'll get used to it," he said before moving deeper into the house and I didn't realise I had my mouth open in awe until Vitani nudged me.

After having a tour and admiring the attractive view of the house, we returned to the kitchen.

"This will be your work point,you'll be meeting Mrs Manchester. She'll help you with your kitchen duties. I must warn you that....

" I'm totally picky about behavior in this house." An old woman about the age of 60 or more appeared with a red haired girl.

"Girls, this is Mrs Manchester and her grand daughter,Estacita." James introduced as Mrs Manchester walked further into the large kitchen.

"I'll take it from here,James. Fetch me their uniforms." She ordered her face void of any emotions and just her expression and body language told me that she was trouble if you went against her but the good thing is I brought my obedience with me same to the four girls behind me,so she didn't have to worry about us misbehaving.

"Yes,ma'am." James quickly exited the kitchen room and disappeared into the large corridors

"Stand where I can see all of you," she snapped at us. The terrified girls behind me spread out leaving me in the middle. Mrs Manchester studied us quietly,looking at each one of us closely till I felt absolutely uncomfortable under her intense gaze but then she smiled warmly something I didn't think was possible for someone like her but she did making me and the girls relax.

"You must be really scared,right?"she asked sitting down at the table.

" yes." we replied in unison

"Its okay to be afraid when your life suddenly takes a quick turn but you have to live with it. You'll get accustomed to our ways soon." she apprized

Okay,I didn't really know how to react to all this but for one,I was calm. At least I knew that their was an older woman who was gonna look out for us. She reminded me so much of Sister Norah and Sister Gertrude. I felt strangely at peace.

"But as you live in this house, we obviously have some rules you have to follow and failure to do so....

" leads to punishment."Anika completed for her and she smiled again

"Yes,that is correct. What is your name little one?"

"Anika,"

"Good. James will go through the rules with you. I just wanted to get to know you because we'll be seeing more of each other." She said

"Granny," Estacita said softly taking Mrs Manchester's attention "their names,"

"Oh yes. Your names please. At least I know Anika."

"Vitani,"

"Ingrid,"

"Dahlia,"

"Tammy," I said and for a reason I didn't know,she smiled at me

"Okay. Anika,Vitani,Ingrid,Dahlia and Tammy," she smiled at me again. Just then, James walked into the kitchen again.

"Right on time,Jameson." Estacita said with a smile

"Uh ma'am,we only have the old uniforms. We'll have to get them new ones," He said

"I'll leave that to you now, James." Mrs Manchester stood up and left with her grand daughter behind her.

"These are your starters uniforms until we get you new ones soon," He handed clothing to us

"When will that be?" Ingrid asked

"Mrs Manchester will have that arranged soon," he replied " I assume you all remember where your rooms are?" He asked,when we nodes in approval,he continued

"There will be a script of the rules on each of your beds. Read through them carefully."

After that,we were dismissed. I climbed the stairs slowly to the second  floor until I reached room. It was cozy with a warm lavender spread about the walls. A comfortable bed in the middle of the room with a side table and head lamb on it.

I walked towards the walk in closet staring at the empty selves and full length mirror on the wall. A washing machine and a drier blah blah blah.

I sat on the bed and sighed. Well, this was gonna be my life now and I had to accept it.

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