Sins of our fathers

True to her words, Mary returned with everything Ellie would need to wash herself, and some oversized clothes for her to change into.

Despite her downcast mood, Ellie appreciated the cold shower. She had been longing for one ever since that Clara girl poured beer on her. The dire situation she found herself in made her completely ignore that basic need.

After spending what she considered as enough time, which, in fact, was a very long time, Ellie finally stepped out of the cubicle, fully dressed. Surprise registered on her face when she saw Mary waiting for her right by the door.

"You really took your time," Mary commented, pushing herself away from the wall.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know you were waiting for me." Ellie apologized.

"It's fine. You needed it. Moreover, I'm just doing my job as you are my responsibility for today." Marry looked her over before saying, "Let's go."

Ellie nodded and followed her despite being confused about the responsibility part.

Halfway to their destination, Ellie couldn't hold back her curiosity. She was already here and didn't know when she would be able to leave. It was better she gathered all the information she could.

"What do you mean when you said I am your responsibility for today?" She queried, deciding to start by clearing her most recent confusion.

"It means I am in charge of your welfare for today. Your food, drink, clothes and basic knowledge about this department will be provided by me. If you want, I can also show you around." Mary elucidated.

"Really?" Ellie questioned in a slightly raised pitch, her eyes twinkling in surprise. She thought she would be locked up continually since she clearly heard Storm pronounce her judgment to be imprisonment.

"Yes." Mary narrowed her eyes at Ellie. "You sound excited. Why?"

"Uhm… I'm just happy I can stretch my leg instead of staying in one place all the time." Ellie quickly provided an explanation, suspecting the girl might change her mind.

"Oh, you will do a lot of leg stretching. There might not even be enough time for you to stay in one place."

"How do you mean?" Ellie probed.

"You will find out soon."

"Were you serious when you said this place is Alada's Royal House?" Ellie threw another question, deciding not to press on Mary's previous answer, even though her curiosity was pushing her to.

At this time, they were already in front of the door of Mary's room.

"You didn't believe me?" Mary pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Ellie couldn't answer the question immediately because as soon as she stepped inside with Mary, she realized the three girls were still there.

The room was large, with walls coated in blue paint, and in it were three small beds. Two of the girls were seated on one of the beds, while the last one stood by the opposite bed.

Among the three, only one wore a friendly expression, and that was the smiling girl from earlier. She was the one standing, and a sweet smile was plastered on her face.

The other two were looking at her like she fell from Pluto. Ellie wasn't sure if she was thinking too much into nothing, but she felt one of the girls on the bed was sizing her with slight disdain on her face.

"Hey, I'm Ginger. Nice to meet you." The smiling girl moved toward Ellie and stretched her hand for a shake. Her beautiful smile, which reflected and enhanced the beauty of her brown cat eyes, became even broader when Ellie accepted her hand.

"Nice to meet you too, Ginger." Ellie returned the smile. It was almost impossible not to. "I'm Ellie."

"Your name is pretty too, just like you." Ginger giggled, not letting go of Ellie's hand.

"She knows she's pretty, Ginger. We all are. No need to announce it." The girl Ellie caught eyeing her with disdain, spoke.

"Come, Ellie. Let me introduce you to the others." Ginger spoke with such enthusiasm that indicated she wasn't the least affected by what the other girl said.

Ellie followed her. She glanced at Mary, who was uncovering some plates on a tray before she looked back at the two girls she was now standing before.

"This is Gwen." Ginger introduced the first black-haired girl, who just had a curious look on her face.

"Hi, Ellie." Gwen managed a small smile, and Ellie returned with equal energy.

"And this is Layla. She can be annoying sometimes, but she is a sweet soul." Ginger introduced the other girl, who Ellie was already beginning to dislike.

Sweet soul? Ellie doubted that. What kind of sweet soul looks at someone they just met like that? A bitter soul would have been a better description.

"Who's your father?" Was the first question that flew out of Layla's lips, as she fixed her disdainful gaze on Ellie's face.

"Hey, what's wrong with you?" Gwen scolded Layla, hitting her slightly with her shoulder. "That is no way to welcome a new person. You should say hi first."

"Stop being a meanie. Be nice. You didn't even let me finish with the introductions." Ginger also scolded the girl.

"There's nothing wrong with the question I asked. I need to know why she's here, and that's the only way to get that info." Layla spoke defensively. "I can say hi after that."

"What has the identity of my father got to do with why I'm here?" Ellie asked curiously, with a hint of arrogance, which usually shows up when someone was trying to bully her.

"Because we are all here because of the sins of our fathers or grandfathers, and we all know ourselves. But you are a totally new face I've never seen before. So I'm wondering what your father did for you to be here." Layla answered.

Ellie became confused. Sins of their fathers or grandfathers?

"Keep all your questions for later. She needs to eat now." Mary offered her the tray.

"I hope you're hungry now?" Mary asked, lifting her brows, and Ellie deduced she was hinting at her earlier refusal to eat when offered food.

"Yes, thanks." Ellie accepted the food. She moved toward an empty bed, and plopped down on it. Without waiting, she dug in, all the while trying to understand what Layla meant by 'sins of their fathers or grandfathers.'