Chapter Two
Madeline can’t think normally all day. This is alright, because no one else can either. Just not for the same reason. It’s just that the orphanage inspector comes. So the Higglebuns have to be nice. Or at least nicer. So everyone got fresh water, and extra food. Which Madeline
thinks would give the two kids energy to escape. Especially Jack.
Who was no better.
Only worse.
And nothing would help, not even that they were treated better.
Madeline doesn’t think he’d make it. She even begins to hope that the inspector will see her poor brother’s condition and take him to the hospital. But she knows that wouldn’t happen. Mr. Higglebun keeps Jack hidden so that won’t happen. So the twins have no choice but to go that night.
And they do.
As soon as the inspector leaves and the Higglebuns went back to being their nasty selves, it is time for bed. The twins are already wearing their dark clothes, and go to the bathroom, where they meet, and Madeline makes a last minute decision.
She wants them to take a bath before leaving. Who knows when they would be able to get clean again? And besides, it won’t raise suspicions. Everyone else takes a bath. It’s a rule. Because otherwise the inspector would smell the orphanage a mile off, as he could come at any
moment. And then Mr. and Mrs. Higglebun would lose their jobs. And they don’t want that. So everyone takes a bath. Including Jack and Madeline.
The older twin takes a quick bath, making sure not to stay in the water too long. It’s not that difficult, because the water is freezing. And no one can take a shower for more than 15 minutes anyway, because the water is brought from the sewer. The real dirt comes off once a week, on Fridays, when the water is a little warmer. But then they can only stay for 2 minutes. At least it’s warm.
But tonight, it’s good that the water is cold and dirty. At least it is good for Madeline. Because she has to get out before Jack does, to get him, so the boy doesn’t tell everyone about running away, or go back to bed.
Unfortunately, Jack had taken a very quick shower, because he was too sick to stay longer. So he had gotten out and went to bed in his night clothes. Forcing Madeline to go in there after him to sneak out. Which wasn’t part of the plan, but who knew. At least no on e is around to see them leave.
They tiptoe to the kitchen, as it seems safest. Or at least Madeline tiptoes. She carefully rolls from heel to ball of the foot, trying to make up for the noise caused by
Jack. Who can’t be quiet. It’s not really his fault. It’s just that his sniffing and wheezing could easily be heard by anyone.
And it is.
The cook comes out of her sleeping room, a little grouchy from having been woken up. When she sees who it is, she frowns. She thinks she might even tell Mr. Higglebun. But thinks better of it.
Because Jack comes into view.
And he’s in a horrible condition, barely walking. He can’t think straight. He can’t live for much longer like this. And he knows it. But so does the cook.
So she let’s them go on their way. She even offers to come, but Madeline declines the offer, even though she’d really like to. She just can’t force the kind cook to go at risk for them.
Now this cook is an understanding woman. She knew Jack should’ve gone to the hospital a long time ago. She sees him in the cafeteria every day, too sick to eat. She wants to help. So she won’t tell. And she’s a jolly lady, a little plump, but aren’t all cooks? She’d actually be quite pretty, if she let loose her thick, blond hair, and maybe put on a dress. At least to take of her cook’s
uniform. But she’s still considerate, and wants to help.
So she let’s the twins go, even though it is against her better judgment. She even leads them through her secret door, because it’s the only one in the entire building that doesn’t creak, and any sound might wake somebody. So the twins get out of the orphanage, and set off for the hospital.
That’s when Madeline realizes she doesn’t know where to go. The twins aren’t in a good position. They are in serious trouble with the orphanage, so have to get away from there. It’s late in the evening, so it’s dark. Jack is very ill, and is getting scared from the whole situation. He’s falling asleep, and Madeline is about to do the same. Furthermore, they have to get to the hospital, but don’t know where it is.
So Madeline makes a risky choice to wait until morning.
They two curl up side by side in a corner of the orphanage where no one ever goes. The two are asleep as soon as their heads touch the ground.
A few hours later, Madeline wakes up. There was some
sort of rumbling. Thinking of Jack first, she goes over him. He is still asleep. He always was a heavier sleeper.
Madeline turns around, and sees a man walking toward them.
Read the prologue and both parts of chapter one first. Also, how can I link them?
