Beyond the Locked Gates

It was 2 A.M in the morning when I heard a knock on my door. I knew at that moment it was time to leave. I somehow dreaded yet anticipated for this moment since we made the plan; the plan to leave the orphanage and go to the city and explore the world outside the locked steel gates of the orphanage. We had made a plan to leave after midnight and catch the 3 o’clock train in the morning, and since the train station was near, we felt that it was the best choice.  The orphanage had a large dormitory for the younger ones, since I was the oldest I had the privilege of getting a single room.

 John and Andy were the two friends I grew up with and we were a family. Andy was always on the wild side and he had a reputation of being rebellious and uncontrollable. He would come up with all sorts of absurd ideas and we all will end up in trouble time and again. The runaway plan was his idea and it was something he had planned for a long time.

John had stolen the main door keys and we had saved enough for the train ticket and some extra cash for food and lodging. They would come and knock at my door and we would sneak out. There was a long passage between the main door and my room and the warden’s room was right in the middle between the two. We figured that the best way to slip noiselessly was to tie our foot with rags or clothes and climbed out of the gate and run towards the train station. The gate was the main obstacle but with the energy of a seventeen year old, nothing was impossible.

So, there I was, sitting on my bed wondering what the future holds for us. But, the plan was to only get to the train station and let faith toy with us for the rest. I stood up, wrapped my foot with clothes, picked up my bag and walked towards the knocking door, my heart beating loudly and praying that fate will be kind to us.