Unfortunately, I spent a good two hours trapped in the Morston morning traffic. One of the things I hated the most. I would have made it to the quarter faster if I'd walked. That thought made me smile.
Climbing out of the car, I was greeted with the fallout of the storm. Some of the roof panels were missing and a few windows had been broken.
I rushed my way inside to check on everything. I was afraid that one day, that might happen.
When I opened the door, I quickly concluded that I needed a boat to make it to the kitchen.
The soup kitchen was flooded, and more water kept pouring in through the roof, and the broken windows.
" Great," I deflated, as I stood in the door, and watched a few tin trays float in front of me.
I looked up at the darkened skies, it showed no signs of relenting. There was no way, we could open the kitchen under those circumstances. I turned on my heels and jumped back into the car, to shelter myself from the downpour. I looked up at the shabby building, desolate. I had no clue what to do.
Mason was not in Morston, and Enid was not well, those were the two people that came into mind that I would have turned to for help.
I racked my brain for a good few minutes and set the car in drive and decided to speak with Ellie.
I never went that deep into the quarter, I had a vague idea of where I was going, but everything looked the same hidden under the thick curtain of rain. After driving around for a god forty minutes, I finally decided to stop and knock on a door, to get some directions. Despite the dire conditions that they lived in, the people in the quarter were close to each other.
I had forgotten the umbrella at home, so I stepped out of the car and made my way to the door.
The metallic sound sent shivers through my spine. My eyes fell on the faded-out green, corroded paint, and the light seeping through the tiny holes.
" Hello," A small voice sobered me up, making me look down. It was a little blond girl with hazel eyes, and a frown way too deep for such a small face.
" Hello. I was wondering if you could point me in the direction of Ellie's house," I said as I lowered myself to my heels, trying to smile.
The little girl's frown got deeper, worried. Her scrutinising gaze, sort of made me a little wary, not of her, but it made me think that maybe she was afraid of me.
" Hazel," A boy's voice echoed through " Who is it?" He asked, and I felt like I recognised that voice.
" Some lady. She wants know to where Ellie lives?" The girl replied with her eyes on me and became clear that she was distrustful.
" How many times do I have to tell you not to open th-, "The boy began admonishing the little girl as he stepped from behind the curtain, finally revealing himself, and I would have recognised those eyes anywhere.
" Miss Lily," The boy quickly changed tone, and I stood to have a better look, around the barack. There wasn't much, two beds, a table and one chest of drawers, hidden behind a curtain.
" Nicholas," I knew his name but I had no clue that he had a sister.
" I'm sorry to disturb you, but I'm looking for Ellie. The soup kitchen is flooded and I need to speak with her," I began with that hoping to ease the little girl's worries.
" Hazel, go finish your studies, " Nicholas coldly said and nudged the little girl back to the table.
" She lives further up the plateau. You'll recognise the house because of the metal elephant hanging on the side of her house," Nicholas pointed in the general direction where I should go.
" Thank you. Are you alright? I know many of you rely on the soup kitchen for meals. Is there anything you need?" I decided to check since there was no sign of any of the parents around. It was astounding.
" We will be alright. Father will be home soon. You shouldn't worry Miss Lily," The coldness felt familiar. Mason was like that.
Nodding, I already knew the conversation was over. David and Laira were different.
" Thank you again," I smiled, even though I was soaked, and shivering.
" Have a good day," Nicholas said before pushing the door to a close into my face. That went well.
I didn't ponder in the rain any longer and made my way back to the car. I was cold and wet. Slowly, I worked my way through the plateau and finally, my eyes caught the elephant Nicholas was speaking about.
I was relieved, to say the least. I had no idea how much time I had spent circling the quarter looking for the damn house.
Unwillingly, I stepped out of the car and back into the rain. The raindrops and the breeze that swept over the land were ice cold.
Shivering, I knocked on the door and didn't have to wait long before it opened.
" Lily, come, come," Ellie exclaimed the moment she laid eyes on me, surprised to see me at her door and pulled me inside.
Cole waved and smiled as he sat curled up on the bed reading a book.
" I'll make some tea. You look pale as death itself," Ellie chuckled as she made her way to the stove.
" I'm good. I'm just here because the soup kitchen is flooded and I had no clue what to do with myself," I stopped Ellie in her tracks.
" It happens each time there is a storm. The foundation will take care of it when it stops raining." Ellie took a seat on the bed next to Cole.
" And what happens to the people that rely on the soup kitchen until then?" I didn't know how it worked and who made the decisions.
Ellie shrugged "Usually, we get by until it does, however we can," She sighed, and caressed Cole's hair, who smiled showing his missing front tooth. He was adorable.
" Oh," I whispered, a little surprised that there was no other solution.
" I know it is a little out there but how about I go into town and get some things," It was just a thought, to keep the ones that needed the most going. Hazel and Nicholas alone at home kept playing on my mind. Hazel looked like five years old and Nicholas looked like ten, maybe eleven.
" It would be appreciated, but I don't have that kind of money," Ellie wistfully sighed but I did.
All the stipends that Mason had given me, I hadn't spent. I was frugal; it was something that my parents had ingrained in me and I didn't know how to be otherwise.
" Don't worry about it. I'll be back in a few hours," I said as I stood up and made my way out the door, leaving Ellie and Cole behind.
I jumped into the car, I knew exactly what to do.
By the time I slipped into Morston traffic, the number of cars on the road had drastically thinned. The downpour was a big part of it since the road slowly began to swell as well.
I made my way towards Northenhay, as fast as I could. I needed to change clothes since mine were dripping.
When I reached home, I didn't bother to rush through the rain. What was the point?
" Enid," I called as soon as I walked inside the house. I knew that her medication usually took about twenty minutes to kick in, and by then she was probably roaming around the house doing things that she shouldn't.
" In the kitchen, dear," Enid answered, and relief washed over me. I was worried, even though I knew she would be alright.
" The sou-" I frowned when my eyes fell on Ava who sat at the table with a cup of tea in her hand smiling.
" Hello, Lily, " She said in an amused tone, smiling at a private joke.
" Hello, Ava. What brings you here? Mr Kinnaird is not home. I believe he'd already informed you," Or weren't you listening? It irked me that she was in the house again.
" Oh, I know," Ava giggled " I'm just getting acquainted with Northenhay. Amazing mansion, just like the owner," Ava hid a smile behind her cup, while Enid just shook her head in disbelief.
Bewildered, I gaped at her. What was she planning? How far was she willing to go to get what she wanted?" Those questions played out in my mind. Or was it just a ruse?
" Suit yourself. How are you feeling Enid?" I turned my attention to Enid who sipped on her tea watching Ava with a curious eye.
" Much better, but no tanks to you. If it weren't for me she would be probably dead by now," Ava haughtily replied, with an ' I saved the world' look on her face and I wanted to choke her to death right then and there.
Enid shook her head " No, you woke me up," Enid sighed " I'm alright dear. You're home. So, I'm guessing that something happened." Enid shifted the topic and I was grateful.