Chapter 248 - Interlude: Jack's Upbringing 2

<Day 67>

Hello? I'm back.

I'm guessing this is my third, no, fourth entry? Either way. It doesn't matter.

The reason I'm doing this again is that something happened. Another kid showed up. A girl.

I know, I know. I don't seem like the type of person to fall for something like that. Well, to be honest, I'm not. Or, at least, I don't think I am.

Whatever.

The point that I'm trying to make right now is that this kid is special. I mean, that was what the headmaster told me.

Apparently, she was a kid from a well-off family. For whatever reason, her parents died tragically, and she was thrown here into the same orphanage as everyone else. I don't really get why she was here, though. But, whatever the reason is, the headmaster wouldn't tell me.

He called me over to his office to introduce me to her. And, after that, the guy told me to give her a tour of the place. Now, I didn't really mind, seeing as how everyone apart from me was depressed. Although, I do wonder why the headmaster chose to let me do it.

Anyway, I did what he said.

The girl and I walked around, with me leading the way. Along the way, I kept trying to talk to her, but she was not willing to cooperate whatsoever. She just stayed silent all the way to the end.

I didn't know what to do after that. When I finished the tour, it just so happened that we stopped right where we began. I told her to do whatever she wanted, really, because I didn't have a clue how to deal with her. I went back to the headmaster's office, hoping to get a word or two out of him.

But, ah, I didn't know how to ask it. It wasn't like me to care about some stranger. Asking for more information about the girl's history might be a tall order. Nobody else asked about my history, so why should I ask about hers?

All I did at that point was walk into the office then, walked back out like some insane person.

A few hours later, and here I am, alone in the farthest corner of the building. Nobody really comes here, making it a great spot to be alone. It's a place for me to take a breather and, well, to be away from the depressive atmosphere.

Well, whatever it is that happens, happens.

<Day 70>

It's been three freaking days since I met the girl, and she keeps following me for some reason.

God! What is it with her? I get that she doesn't really know anyone here, but she shouldn't just keep following someone around. I even spent three hours reading, looked up, and there she was.

Okay, okay.

There might be a tiny chance that I'm overthinking it. But I don't think it was a coincidence that she's in every room I enter. I have no idea how to deal with this, or maybe, there might not be a thing to deal with in the first place.

*Sigh*

Let's hope that it doesn't get any worse.

<Day 75>

She sat in my seat.

Normally, the kids in the orphanage would keep out of each other's way, myself included. But. She was in my seat.

MY. SEAT.

I mean, it didn't really have my name on it or anything. It's just — infuriating. So, you know, I decided to do what anybody else would do. I sat at the same table just opposite my usual chair. And, here's the bizarre part: the girl didn't say anything, and we both ate in silence.

Whatever this kid wants, she certainly doesn't know how to say it.

<Day 76>

Okay. I, uh, don't know how to say this. But, uhm, I think the girl's trying to talk to me.

Yes, okay. I sound completely insane in my past few entries. But, this time, I think I have a good chance of finally getting to the bottom of all this nonsense. She sat on my chair again, though. That part still stings a little. But, throughout mealtime, she kept glancing over my way. I pretended not to notice, of course. I'm not going to spoil what she's working so hard on.

That said, I kind of wish she'd just say it.

<Day 80>

God, this is getting pretty annoying.

She keeps looking my way, which I don't mind. But, really, how long is it going to take until she finally says something? In hindsight, I haven't gone out and asked her anything either. I don't even have her name. Then again, neither does she.

If only she had talked to me the first time we'd come across each other. That would've been so much easier.

But, eh, what are you gonna do, right? If this whole thing goes on until the next time we have food, I'm going to say something. Who knows? Maybe she's got a good sense of humor.

<Day 81>

Yeah, she doesn't.

The moment I confronted her, she was dead silent. She looked at me straight in the eye and didn't bother to say anything. I'm starting to think that she's mute.

Huh.

That actually sounds plausible. I can't believe I've only considered the possibility now. Wait. Is that why the girl's here? Because she can't talk?

I.., I gotta get to the bottom of this.

<Day 82>

Shit. Okay, okay. Calm down, Jack.

As it turns out, the girl's mute. I'm not..., I..., don't really know what to say.

But, uh, based on what she wrote, her life wasn't all that great before coming here. I can't really blame her for looking at it that way, especially considering how she couldn't talk.

I couldn't get the whole story, seeing as how even writing things down had its limits. But, she told me a lot. About her family situation. How life was like there in the upper class. I can spend a few hours going into detail. But, at the very end, one thing became abundantly clear.

She didn't miss it.

From what I could tell, she was a lot like me. No, she's probably even worse.

For me, I was happy when I got out. When my dad died, I felt liberated. His death, his absence, didn't haunt me in the slightest. But, that was only for me.

The girl, on the other hand, felt pained. I mean, I'm guessing. I can't really tell from the way she wrote it. But, her expression didn't seem too keen to relive it. Either way, don't quote me on it.

Anyway. Moving on.

Apparently, her dad wasn't too happy that she was born mute. Throughout the many years, it was just her and her mother. His dad minded his business, literally, while her mom took care of her. It was far from a happy family, but her mom was her everything.

Or, you know, at least that's how I understood it. She didn't really tell me all of this directly, but it was what I understood.

God.

Why didn't the headmaster tell me about any of this? Who she was? What she was doing here?

Nothing. I knew nothing. It would've made it easier for her to adjust to this whole experience if somebody had just told me beforehand. But, heh, I guess there's nothing I could do to fix it, huh?

...

It wasn't easy for her to tell me all this.

Even if I couldn't hear her say anything, the air around her had a sense of grief. The worst part about it was, her grief was because of her past. When her parents were still alive. It wasn't because of their death that she was in pain. It was because of the demons that still haunted her.

I can't tell what she's going through. I can't even begin to understand it. Was it a mistake to ask her about all of this? And, how much do I actually know about her, now?

Whatever it is, she's here now. And, the truth is a part of me wants to leave her be. None of this is my problem. Whatever she went through was over now. And, as far as I'm concerned, she can get along with the depressed crowd of children in the orphanage.

But. Will that actually be okay?

I know it's not my job to do anything to help her out. I talked to her because I wanted to know what she was after — why she kept looking at me. But, now that I know all of this, I have to do something about it. Right?

*Sigh*

I'm just a kid. I can't even take care of myself without support from anyone else. I feel bad for her. Really, I do. But, what can I even do to help out? I- I can barely talk to her. Am I—

*Knock! Knock!*

Shit! Who's there?!

...

Oh, it's you.