Chapter 2. Hell

I watched the smile deepen on the face of Mother Teresa as I was called to the front of the line, my heart thundering in my chest. There were so many eyes on me and I had never felt so self-conscious. 

The woman feigned sweetness, but her demeanor alone was already passive-aggressive. “Rue, dear, aren’t you looking stunning in that uniform? A perfect fit, just like the perfect life we have provided for you at the orphanage.” She chuckled. 

I resisted the urge to scoff, keenly aware of the underlying sarcasm, replying, “Thank you, Mother Teresa. I try my best to follow the rules and look presentable.” 

That was the only way to respond to her, with respect and humility. She was the owner and head of the orphanage. She owned us all. We were her property and she could do whatever she wanted with us. 

With an air of false concern, she continued, “Rules are crucial, especially for orphans like you. We must mold you into refined individuals, even if some need a bit more molding than others.” She cast a devious smile at me. 

I suppressed my frustration, nodded, and said, “I appreciate your guidance in making me a better person.” It physically hurt me to say those words, because honestly, I rather be eating dirt and living on the streets instead of being here. 

But as long as you were brought here, there was no getting out. This place was a prison, one that was run by the devil.

The courtyard buzzed with tension as Val and the other caretakers observed the exchange, their smiles sinister and wicked. Fear lingered over the other omegas that stood in line, they begged that they would not be in my shoes. 

“Rue, darling, let me share a little secret with you,” Mother Teresa’s voice took on an eerie sweetness as she ran her hand through her thick white hair. “Those omegas, once they cross that Threshold of 18, well, their destinies become enigmatic tales written in a language only the fates comprehend.”

I swallowed hard, my heart beating so loud that it felt like I could hear it. The words of the woman clung to the air like a chilling fog. It was impossible to cast away what was just said. It was like she was speaking in parables but I could understand it perfectly. 

“Yes, ma’am,” I replied in respect. I kind of knew what she was talking about. I was about to be taken away, like all the other omegas that had turned eighteen in this awful place. 

A part of me wanted to believe that maybe I would taken to a better place, but with Mother Teresa and Val in the picture, that was a distant dream that would never come to pass. 

I needed to wake up from dreamland and smell the roses…or in this instance, smell the crap. 

“You are now eighteen, precious one. Wipe that look of fear off your face…” She touched my face, her thumb rough against my skin. “Rejoice! You had no purpose when your parents forsook you at our doorsteps, but now you do!” She chuckled, withdrawing her wrinkled hand. 

I felt tears filling my eyes but I dared not to cry, it would just be a cause to get beaten or whipped in front of everyone. So I sucked it up, staring at the evil woman, patiently begging for this all to be over. 

I forced a smile and sniffled dryly, trying my best to keep my tears from falling. Then finally, she let me go, waving her hand for me to flee her presence. 

As I resumed my place in the line, the air lingered with her words before the courtyard suddenly began to echo in a haunting melody, a deceptive chorus of unity, peace, and happiness that was masked by the suffering within the orphanage’s desolate walls. 

This was what we sang every morning before being treated like slaves. It was an anthem created by Mother Teresa, and it was very traumatizing for us all. 

But we had no choice but to sing, our voices trying to drown out the harsh reality. 

The song ended, leaving a heavy silence in its wake, and we dispersed to our designated chores. Scrubbing the corridor floors felt like an endless task, each stroke of the brush a reminder of the hidden struggles we faced. 

The illusion of unity shattered as we toiled in solitude. 

The water was cold and even though the sun was now up, it was a cloudy and cold day, so it was torturous. Midway through my scrubbing, a familiar face appeared. My friends discreetly signaled me, a silent call for us to meet up. 

This was risky but it was one I was going to take. Especially knowing that any second, I could be taken away by strong huge men to god knows where. 

With a nod, I surreptitiously followed them, escaping the watchful eyes of the caretakers. I did it smoothly and not one of them noticed. Living a life like this, you learn to move like a snake every once in a while. 

In the dimly lit, room, away from prying eyes, my friends gathered. They were Vanessa and Sue. They were a year younger than me, so it would not be long till they reached the age where I was; an age that seemed cursed when you lived we where lived. 

Vanessa’s dark skin glimmered under the low lighting, her beautiful eyes trained on me. Sue’s Asian features blended with worry. As we huddled together, they probed, “Rue, what’s the plan? We’re scared.” 

Reassuring them, I whispered, “There is no need to be scared.” Even I did not believe that. 

“Without you, how will we get our supplies and necessities every month? You’re now 18, they will take you away,” Vanessa expressed her concern. 

“Gosh, we are going to die…” Sue’s voice cracked when she said this. 

I always escaped every night from the orphanage to work at a place called XP Club. It’s where bigshots hang out; Alphas and Betas. It was hard to get a job there but I had managed to do so, but only by pretending to be a guy. 

So every night I cross-dress and work as a waiter to get money to help myself and the other omegas in this hellhole. What we are given regularly by the caretakers is not enough, it’s barely. 

So I try my best to be able to help out, making sure to keep this a secret. 

“I’ve got a plan, don’t worry…” I told them, flashing them an assuring smile. “I’ll make sure you guys and every omega here is taken care of. Trust me, I’ve got a plan.” 

I anxiously wondered if my risky plan would unfold smoothly, knowing any misstep could shatter everything.