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11) LAKE DAY

Brad watched a few children leave with Priest Damon. For a few moments, he was glad that he wasn’t joining them and then frowned as Wilson and Greg joined the group that was leaving. He looked over to Taylor who had some of the same emotion flash over her face. Brad clenched his fist under the table and didn’t move to do anything. He tried to relax himself. Today otherwise was supposed to be a good day. One that came around on occasion when the weather was nice and things in the orphanage were calm. They had a trip to the lake to go to.

The mood lightened after the group left. The toddlers who had little to care for were excited. Rarely would they leave the orphanage grounds and even rarer would they go to the lake. Brad only remembered visiting the lake a few times and each had been more memorable than the last. The reasons they had gone varied, but it often came down to the weather was nice and the school work and other jobs were ahead of schedule for the majority of children. As a result, they got a break from the monotony of the orphanage and could go outside the city and a bit further beyond. Greg cared little for the true reason and was just glad that they had the afternoon off. It was a few hours of fun that they wouldn’t normally have.

The excitement of the other kids built off one another to the point where it even influenced the usually more stoic oldest kids and the ladies in the kitchen. They stepped out of the kitchen finished with serving for the day and hung up their aprons. The younger of the two ladies, in her young forties, stepped forward to the kids left behind.

“I’m sure all of you have heard the news by now and yes we will be going to the lake,” she said. There were a few cheers at that news. “I will be joining you all and so will our esteemed Priest Grant. We only have a few hours available to us so let's make the most of it. Gather your things and we will leave in ten minutes.”

Those who hadn’t already left to prepare hurried out of their seats and ran to their room. There was a rush toward the door as they almost trampled over each other to reach their rooms in time. The kitchen lady just chuckled lightly at the sight.

Brad entered his room where another boy was already halfway through changing into his swimwear. He followed suit. For a while, there was a bit of chaos in the orphanage. If Priest Damon was here to see it he surely would have thrown a fit. None of that mattered now though and Brad set himself in the mindset of relaxation and fun. He looked over to the other beds in the room. Wilson and Greg were missing. An unfortunate side effect of Priest Damon’s wrath. He sighed wishing they were with him.

Brad met Taylor and Ash by the door. The other kids were already forming small groups. Priest Grant waited outside with them and accounted for each child waiting to go to the lake. Soon everyone was out of the orphanage, and they started their trek to the lake. He led them out of the city with the assistant cook following from the back.

Past the city walls opened up to the surrounding forest to one side and rolling hills to the other side.

The journey to the lake was a welcome escape from the confines of the orphanage and the bustling city. As the group ventured beyond the city walls, they were greeted by a breathtaking landscape that seemed to stretch endlessly before them. On one side, a lush forest stood tall, its trees reaching towards the sky, their leaves rustling gently in the warm breeze. The dense foliage blocked one side.

On the other side, rolling hills undulated like gentle waves, their slopes covered in a vibrant carpet of green grass. The hills seemed to dance in the sunlight, their contours casting ever-changing shadows as the day progressed. Wildflowers of various colors dotted the hillsides, adding splashes of yellow, purple, and white to the verdant landscape. Cutting through a piece of the hills was the main road built up through years of use. Travelers of all kinds used it and often carted the beautiful flowers and plants away for use in crafting.

As the group made their way towards the lake, a sense of excitement and freedom filled the air. The children chattered animatedly; their laughter carried by the gentle wind. The worries and troubles of the orphanage seemed to melt away with each step they took, replaced by a newfound sense of joy and camaraderie. Even the older children, who often carried the weight of responsibility on their shoulders, allowed themselves to be swept up in the moment, their faces softening with genuine smiles.

The path to the lake wound through the forest, dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy above. The air was filled with the sweet scent of pine and the gentle chirping of birds. The children marveled at the towering trees, their trunks weathered and wise, standing as silent guardians of the forest. Squirrels darted among the branches, their bushy tails flicking playfully as they watched the group pass by.

As they emerged from the forest, the lake came into view, its crystal-clear waters shimmering like a mirror in the sunlight. The surface was calm and serene, reflecting the surrounding hills and trees in perfect symmetry. The shoreline was dotted with smooth pebbles and soft sand, inviting the children to kick off their shoes and feel the cool water on their feet.

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The excitement reached a crescendo as the children raced towards the water's edge, their laughter echoing across the tranquil lake. They splashed and played; their worries are forgotten in the pure joy of the moment. The assistant cook and Priest Grant watched from the shore, their hearts warmed by the sight of the children's unbridled happiness.

Entering the lake was an old dock. The wood had held up after years of use and creaked as the children jumped from the end. Priest Grant followed them to the edge and found a spot to sit before pulling out a used fishing rod. He unspooled the string and waited to see if he could catch anything.

Brad crashed into the water feeling its coolness wash over him while the sun beat down from above. He swam out toward the center. The loose sand kicked up between his feet. As he got closer to the center he felt a cold wave crash over his head and then laughing followed. He spun around to see Ash. His hand slapped the water, and he splashed Ash back. She shifted to avoid most of the water.

“I’ll dunk you. If I can catch you,” said Brad with a playful grin.

Ash kicked up more water as she swam away from him. She raced toward Taylor trying to drag her into their games. Taylor realized quickly what they were doing.

“Don’t bring him to me,” she said with a splash. She pulled her arms away and then closed as she kicked and started to swim as well.

Brad, Taylor, and Ash continued to play in the cool, refreshing water of the lake, their laughter and shouts of joy echoing across the tranquil surface. They splashed each other, engaged in playful races, and dove beneath the surface, exploring the wonders that lay beneath. The sun's warm rays danced on their skin, and the gentle breeze carried the scent of the surrounding forest, filling their lungs with the invigorating aroma of nature.

As they played, the trio forgot about the troubles and responsibilities that awaited them back at the orphanage. At this moment, they were simply children, free to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. They chased each other through the water, their feet kicking up sand and creating small ripples that spread outward, merging with the gentle waves that lapped against the shore.

After a while, exhausted from their aquatic adventures, Brad, Taylor, and Ash made their way back to the shore. They plopped down on the soft sand, their chests heaving as they caught their breath. The sun's warmth enveloped them, drying the droplets of water that clung to their skin. They lay back, their eyes closed, basking in the peacefulness of the moment.

Brad’s meandering thoughts were broken by the crack of stone.

“Hey, what the hells,” he said as he spun his head around. His hand went to his head, and he eyed the thrown stone resting on the ground.

Distant menacing laughter ensued from the tree line. He could barely spot the older kids from before. Mentions of ‘nice shot’ whispered by. Ash and Taylor turned at the disturbance and scowled with Brad. He shifted his feet to stand. Taylor grabbed his arm.

“What?”

“Don’t go after them. Don’t play their games.”

“You know exactly why I don’t want to stay here. I’m done with their games, so I am going to end it.”

“That is exactly what they want you to do. They will get you in trouble before they see any of their own. You chase them and they will ruin your day more than it already has been.” Another rock sailed by and plopped into the water. Taylor looked to the woods. “Their excuse will be that they are just practicing skipping stones and will be the sympathetic and apologetic older kids for a few minutes. We should move spots, however. That is clear.”

Brad grumbled and stood up and this time Taylor didn’t stop him. Brad's mind raced as he contemplated his options for dealing with the older bullies. He knew that chasing after them and confronting them directly would likely only lead to more trouble for himself. The bullies were skilled at manipulating situations to their advantage, and Brad feared that any retaliation on his part would be twisted against him.

As he walked away from the shore with Taylor and Ash, Brad's thoughts turned to the injustice of it all. These older kids seemed to take pleasure in tormenting others, and yet they always managed to escape the consequences of their actions. It frustrated him to no end, and he longed for a way to put a stop to their cruelty once and for all. Brad briefly considered going to the adults for help, but he quickly dismissed the idea.

In his experience, the adults at the orphanage were often too busy or too preoccupied with their concerns to truly listen to the children's problems. And even if they did intervene, Brad feared that it would only make matters worse in the long run. The bullies would surely find a way to retaliate, and he would be labeled a snitch among his peers.

As they walked, Brad's mind churned with possible solutions. He knew that he couldn't let the bullies continue to torment him and the other children, but he also recognized the need for caution. Any action he took would have to be carefully planned and executed, lest it backfire and make his situation even more miserable.

For now, Brad decided to bide his time and observe. He would watch the bullies closely, looking for patterns in their behavior and seeking out any weaknesses he could exploit. Perhaps, with a bit of cleverness and patience, he could find a way to turn the tables on them and put an end to their reign of terror once and for all. Settling on his decision, Brad continued on his way, his mind already working on a plan. He knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but he was ready to face the challenge head-on. One way or another, he would find a way to stand up to the bullies and protect himself from their cruelty.

Brad, Taylor, and Ash distanced themselves from the older bullies, keeping a safe distance between the two groups. They watched the other side closely but neither side made further moves. Brad tried to enjoy the water for the rest of their time there, but his heart wasn’t in it. He felt relieved when the call to return to the orphanage rang out. Those in the water dried off and they started their march back to the Henoes. The older kids stayed near the back of the line and Brad checked his rear regularly. He ran back inside as soon as he saw the orphanage building.