"Are you crazy, Ella?"
Yeara tilted her head, her eyes narrowing in concern. Her words came out worried rather than insulting. She looked outside—the place was pitch dark, and the rain hit harshly against the ground.
"This is our only chance, Yea."
Ella spoke, calling her by the familiar nickname, as she straightened her posture.
Yeara calmly nodded. She and Ella had talked about their escape plan, but never had she imagined they would carry it out during heavy rain.
They were orphans, raised in the orphanage with no families of their own. Adoption was rare, and only a few girls were ever chosen by specific families. Those who were not adopted and grew of age were forced to remain behind, working in the orphanage as cleaners and servants.
As if that fate wasn't enough, Yeara and Ella later discovered that their future had already been decided. When they turned nineteen, they would be forced into marriage to men they had never met.
That was when the two girls decided to escape. They did not want marriage, nor did they want a life where every choice was made for them. They wanted simple things—to sit freely, enjoy tea, and watch dramas with other people, instead of living trapped in a place where they were never allowed to go outside.
Yeara had questioned this fate once. When the Sisters told them about the marriages, she asked why they spoke of such things when they were Reverend Sisters and were not leading by example. Her question had earned her nothing but harsh scolding and raised voices.
From that moment on, Yeara and Ella knew they could not stay. Escape was their only option.
Yeara turned, making sure no other person was awake, then turned back to Ella.
"Well, let's leave now… but where are we going to stay if we leave?" she asked worriedly.
Ella turned serious, determination filling her expression as she spoke.
"Heaven will find us a place."
Yeara calmly nodded. She knew she needed to trust her friend.
They walked together, tiptoeing toward the door, making sure their shoes made no sound at all. Yeara stayed behind Ella. Just then, Ella slowly turned the round doorknob. It made a soft creaking sound as it turned.
Yeara's hands tightened on her gown. Her heart began to pound. When she had talked with Ella moments ago, her body felt okay…but now fear hit her fully.
"What if I get caught… what if I put Ella in trouble? What if I get punished what if they punish Ella as well…"
So many thoughts were running through her head, but they were suddenly interrupted.
Ella finally pushed the door open. She and Yeara stepped out. Yeara held the door carefully as she shut it, letting out a shaky breath once it was closed.
"Yea, don't be nervous," Ella reassured her with a smile. Even though deep down she was scared, she didn't want to show it—it would only make her friend more afraid.
Yeara nodded frantically, as if convincing herself.
They walked calmly to the end of the hallway and began heading downstairs. The floor below was two levels down. The hallway was dimly lit, so if one wasn't careful, they could bump into the wall.
They tiptoed. The hallway wasn't as silent as usual, which they were grateful for, thanks to the pitter-patter of rain on the roof that seeped through the ceiling.
Their hearts raced as they reached the second stair, but then they heard voices.
Yeara's chest rose and fell rapidly. Ella's hands flew to her mouth. She nodded slowly, breathing calmly, silently telling Yeara to do the same. Yeara followed.
They hid at the corner of the wall. It was a tiny, dark spot—you wouldn't see anyone there unless it was a bright sunny day. But it wasn't.
"You have to warn Sister Ava to watch her tone. I do not condone disrespect toward myself."
Lady Lorece spoke angrily voice slightly raised, her eyebrows knitting together in anger as she addressed it to Mister Kindness in the hallway.
"You need to respect yourself as well. I swear I will deal with you if you call my name with such a filthy mouth."
Sister Ava spat back as she walked toward Sister Lorence and Mister Kindness.
Ella gently covered Yeara's mouth to keep her from making a sound. Her other hand moved to her own mouth, her eyes wide with shock. Her hands trembled as she turned to Yeara.
They couldn't go back—if they climbed up, they'd be caught. If they climbed down, they'd also be caught. They were trapped at the corner of the wall.
"That's enough, Sister Ava."
"Then why don't you correct her, Father Kindness?"
Sister Lorence spoke, a wide smile creeping onto her lips, her eyes filled with barely contained rage.
"Is it because you two are hiding something?"
Mr. Kindness fell silent. Lady Lorence immediately spoke, her face still pale with sudden shock.
"What do you mean?…."
Sister Lorence's words were cut short as a resounding slap connected with her left cheek. Her vision blurred momentarily as she turned to Sister Ava in another shock. The once calm sister was nowhere to be found.
Tears fell down Yeara's cheeks. She began to regret her decision. She knew she was in great danger. She would be punished badly—and the fact that she knew exactly what that punishment was made her body tremble.
She refused to make a sound, praying she wouldn't be caught.
Ella turned to her, lips quivering as she whispered in the lowest tone possible,
"I am sorry."
She had brought the idea of this escape…why had she?
Back in the hallway, Mr. Kindness stood unmoving, with no words to say.
"Oh dear, you two are fools to think I do not know what goes on. Complete idiots."
She said as she turned sharply back to Sister Lorence.
"A parent will be coming this midnight to get a girl for adoption," she added.
"Do not worry about the rain—they are coming with carriages."
She paused, then continued, her voice thick with authority, no longer soft or feminine.
"The girl who spilled tea on the couple this morning."
The moment those words left her lips, Yeara's heart skipped.
It was her.
Sister Ava continued, directing her words at Sister Lorence, who nodded silently. She couldn't talk back—not when Sister Ava now held the power. She knew their little secret, and if she told the other members, they would be doomed.
"Bring her here. Her new adoptive parents will be taking her today. And you, Mister Kindness, will be coming with me. Let's prepare the tea for the couple."
Her words were a command.
Yeara pressed her body against the wall, her eyes wide with fear. Ella breathed heavily, covering her mouth to avoid even the slightest sound.
Footsteps echoed softly as they climbed the stairs. Every step deepened Yeara's fear.
Finally, the lady passed—without noticing anything.
They were gone.
Yeara turned to Ella.
"T-they are going to find m-me," she said, fear shaking her voice. She knew that once the lady entered the room and found the bed empty, they would catch her.
"Yeara…"
Ella called softly. A small, painful smile stretched across her lips. She moved swiftly, wiping Yeara's tears and steadying her own voice before speaking.
"Run."