Orphaned Alone
By: Cat Kid
Tags: London, Fiction, Short Story, Poverty

My name is Henry Johnson, and I’m ten years old. I have had a very rough past. See, I don’t have any parents. And I’m extremely poor. I live on the streets trying to find a way to eat. I sometimes steal from the stalls in the market. It would either be a loaf of bread or an apple. But I always get caught. The seller of one of their stalls actually threw a shoe at me, which hit me on the head. But sometimes I’m extremely sneaky, and manage to get away with the stolen loot.

People already know that I’m a beggar. They always look out for me. But there is only one, extremely kind person that I like. She’s called Sophie, and she sells scrumptious buns. She always lets me have a little treat, especially when I look extra hungry. It’s not hard, you just pout and make your eyes go wide. One day, when I was looking particularly forlorn, she let me have a chocolate eclair! It was delicious.

Sophie’s very pretty. She’s about thirteen or twelve, and she is very tall. She ties her blonde hair in a ponytail everyday, and she’s got unforgettable blue eyes. She’s got dimples when she smiles, and some freckles, which makes her even prettier than at first glance. She always rushes up to me when she sees me, and then takes my hand and drags me to her stall. She sometimes lets me choose a bun. It can’t be very big, she says, so I sometimes take a little cupcake or a muffin or a macaroon. I always give her a big grin and a thank you, only to come back another day to repeat the process.

I woke up one day, feeling extra hungry and weak. I’d known for a while that I was ill, but I couldn’t tell Sophie. She would fuss over me too much. I clambered upright, and a wave of dizziness nearly made me double over, but I ignored it. I could tell that I was getting sicker everyday. I stumbled towards the stalls, and there was Sophie. She smiled when she saw me but noticed that I looked a bit pale. ‘Are you alright, Henry?’ She asked caringly, running her hand through my red hair. ‘I’m okay,’ I assured her. She looked at me as if she knew I was lying. ‘Are you selling well?’ I added, hastily changing the subject. Sophie snapped into the presence, looking worried. ‘I don’t know,’ She said anxiously. ‘I think the bank might shut me down. I’m not making enough money to pay the fees.’ I just stood looking at Sophie, feeling agonized. ‘They can’t shut you down. What about me? What will you do?’

I knew that Sophie was poor, but I never thought that the bank would shut her down. ‘They can’t do that to you!’ I cried, as tears sprang into my eyes. ‘They can’t shut you down! It’s not fair.’ ‘But I can’t do anything about it. they will shut me down, whether it’s today or tomorrow or in a week,’ She said. Her eyes sparkled with tears. I know she was as sad as me. She had sold buns for years, trying to make a living. And the bank was going to shut her down. ‘Come on, cheer up. It’s not that bad.’ she was trying to make me feel better, but it wasn’t working. We stood there looking at each other for a moment. ‘I, uh, I need to go,’ I stuttered. I turned and ran off before Sophie could give me a word of comfort.

I glanced over my shoulder and saw her watching me helplessly. I continued running and emerged in an alleyway. I leaned against the brick wall, breathing hard. Sophie was my only friend. She couldn’t go. I needed her. I knuckled my eyes roughly. Just then I heard screaming. And yelling. Two men and a young woman ran into the alleyway. I recognised the lady immediately. ‘Sophie!’ I yelled.

She looked at me. Her face was filled with pure terror. The two men dragged her into the alleyway and pushed her away. She fell on the ground with a thud. I let out a tiny squeak. One of the men leered unpleasantly, showing his blackened teeth. I gagged. ‘Well look who we got ‘ere, Mike. A boy. What’s yer name, kid?’ I wanted to speak but I couldn’t. From the ground sophie mouthed something. HELP.

I had to do something. But before I could the men turned back to Sophie. ‘Leave her alone!’ I stammered. Mike and the other ignored me. Sophie looked as if she were about to pass out. Her face was ghostly pale. Mike kicked her in the stomach. Sophie screamed. ‘Stop it!’ I cried. They ignored me. ‘Why don’t you finish her off, Jack,’ Said Mike. ‘And leave the little runt to me.’

I didn’t think. I just ran. I ran and kept going. As I turned the corner I looked behind me. Mike and Jack weren’t chasing me. I could see the figure of sophie lying on the ground blood was trickling down her forehead. I think she was unconscious. I panted as I ran. I clutched a stitch on my side. I wasn’t looking where I was going. I was too upset about Sophie. I tripped over a small ledge that led onto the footpath. ‘Ow,’ I muttered as I picked myself up. I shook myself off and looked around. My eyes popped.

I was surrounded by banknotes. There were swirling all around me. Before I could think, I tried to snatch one off the air. And another. I wondered where all the money had come from. I stuffed my pockets with the notes. There were fives, tens, and I even spotted some fifties. I laughed madly despite of what had just happened. I had never been this rich. My pockets were full to the brim with the money. I even stuffed some up my sleeves. I looked back. There was a man there, that I had never seen before.

‘Buy yourself some food, kid,’ He chuckled. I stared.

He had soft green eyes that twinkled and a warm smile. He walked away without another word. ‘Wait!’ I called out. He stopped and turned around. ‘What’s your name?’ I asked breathlessly. I had a million questions zooming around my brain. Who was he? Why did he give me that money? where did he come from? Is he an enemy? ‘Bill Cook’ He replied, after hesitating. I just stood there.

‘Well, goodbye then, Henry,’ Bill Cook said with a twisted smile. With that, he walked away. ‘Wait up!’ I called. I couldn’t believe it. I had never told him my name. ‘How did you know my name?’ I added desperately. But he ignored me this time, and then came to another bend, and vanished from sight.

I snapped back to the real world. I was immediately worried. Was Sophie okay? And what was I to do with all the money? I was scared of going back to the alleyway. The men -Jack and Mike- could still be there. and I was only ten. I was no match for them. I stood there considering what I should do. The notes felt itchy on my skin. I couldn’t keep them there. They would either be blown away or stolen. It was too much risk.

I looked around. The street was empty. A few paper bags blew around my feet. I thought of keeping the money there, but I thought it was insecure. It needed to be kept in a safer place. I trudged up and down the street miserably. Just then I saw it. It was leather pouch. This would do. Apart from it being slightly musty and old, it was in perfect condition.

The strap was still intact. I opened the pouch delicitaly. An explosion of dust met me. I coughed and spluttered. After a bit I was able to stop but my eyes were still streaming freely. I looked around, then stored the banknotes inside. There was so much money that it nearly overflowed. The pouch was bigger than both hands put together, so imagine how many notes there would’ve been.

It was then that I wondered two things: What should I buy with the money? And, should I go check on Sophie, or are they waiting there for me? I put the pouch around my neck, hoping that if I went through any struggles it would stay there. Then I retraced my steps, before coming to the alleyway where poor Sophie had been ambushed. There was no sign of the men. I thought I could see Sophie lying on the same spot, so I went there to check. Sophie was there and I felt relieved that it wasn’t Jack or Mike in disguise.

I crouched down beside Sophie. She was still knocked out. I shook her. ‘Sophie,’ I muttered. ‘Wake up, Sophie, please wake up.’ I shook her some more. Her head lolled limply on her shoulders. I sighed. She might not wake up for hours to come. I clutched her hand, willing for Sophie to wake up. But she didn’t.

Suddenly I knew what to do. I glanced around, then took Sophie by her arms. I dragged her behind some dustbins and sat her up against the brick wall. Then I ran full speed out of the alleyway, trying to find the nearest phone booth. I spotted one not so far away, and sprinted to it. I opened the door, shut it behind me, and dug around in my pouch. There was also a lot of coins, so I picked up 20p, and pushed it into the slot. I waited for a bit, unsure of what to do, because I’d never used this before. I copied of other people doing it, but I didn’t know what to do at the end. I just saw people pushing the buttons.

I peered around hopefully, looking for a sign of help. There was one poster someone must’ve stuck on the side of the booth. I’ve never had much experience reading, but Sophie had recently taught me to read and recognise sentences. The poster said:

An emergency? Has someone been injured?

Dial 999 or 112 for the emergency number.

This was it! I pushed a few buttons. There was a sound of ringing at the other end of the line. Then I heard someone reply.

‘Hello. Is it medical or police attention that you require?’

‘Medical,’ I replied nervously.

‘And what is the situation?’

‘My friend, she’s been attacked by two men, in an alleyway. She’s unconscious and I don’t know what to do. Her head is bleeding.’

‘Okay. I will pass you over to the ambulance.’

‘Right’

‘Where was this alleyway?’

‘Faulkner’s Alley, Farringdon.’

I heard the sound of the phone being passed. Then I heard a man’s deep voice.

‘Faulkner’s Alley, Farringdon?’ He said.

‘Yes, that’s right.’

‘Were you with your friend when it happened?’

‘Yes, I saw it all. I told them to stop, but they ignored me. Then one of them threatened me, and I had to scram.’

‘Do you know the name of the men?’

‘Well, one is called Jack and the other one is Mike. I didn’t catch anything else.’

‘So, no last names?’

‘Nope.’

‘Okay,’ Said the man. I heard him scribbling at the other end of the line.

‘Thank you for the help. We will send an ambulance there as soon as we can.’

‘Thank you,’ I answered, and hung up.

I stepped out of the phone booth. I had to check that Sophie was still there. I sprinted back into the alleyway, and crouched behind the dustbins. Sophie was still there. She seemed better than before. In fact, she looks more asleep than unconscious.

‘It’s okay,’ I whispered into Sophie’s ear. ‘Help is coming’. I realised then that the pouch was still hung around my neck. I took it off and placed it beside me.

The sky was already darkening. I shivered. The late Autumn breeze ruffled my ginger hair. I was in for a rough night. I stayed closed to Sophie. My eyelids felt heavy. I badly wanted to sleep. But I couldn’t sleep. The ambulance ought to come soon. I didn’t want to miss it. I wanted to say goodbye to Sophie before she was lifted into the stretcher.

I don’t know how long I stayed awake. But not much. Maybe only ten minutes. After that I drifted off. I must’ve slept for about twenty minutes, maybe more. I was woken up by the sound of tyres along the road, the squeal of brakes and the loud rumble of noises.

I blinked, feeling disorientated. It was still dark. The people talking grew louder as they came closer. I tried to cower behind a dustbin. But then two people in fluorescent jackets saw me. They ran up to me. They were two women. Nurses, I realised. This must’ve been the ambulance coming to pick Sophie up. I sat up straight. ‘Sophie’s here.’ I gabbled. ‘She, she got hurt by these two men and I-’ My speech was cut short as a nurse placed her hand on my shoulder.

‘It’s okay, dear,’ She said. ‘ We have been told about it. Sophie will be okay.’ I heard them shouting to some other people. Doctors. They dragged a stretcher over. to Sophie and lifted her into it. Sophie’s foot knocked something as she was moved.

My pouch! I’d totally forgotten all about it. I hugged it to my chest feeling closer than ever to it.Then they started to carry Sophie away. I tried to follow them ‘Please,’ I pleaded. ‘Sophie’s my friend. I need to know if she’s okay!’

‘We will contact you when she makes a full recovery.’ I knew the doctor meant well, but I couldn’t help feeling upset. I watched the ambulance drive off until I couldn’t see it, then I started to walk away. I felt empty. What was I to do without my best friend?

I had all that money, but it couldn’t buy friendship or love. Suddenly I detested that money. I growled. ‘Bill Cook,’ I muttered angrily. I kicked a pebble at my feet.

I didn’t know what to do. As much as I hated that money, I needed it. It would buy me shelter, clothes, food, I could be like any other child in the world. I walked out of the alleyway, wanting to leave the bad memories behind. Shops began to open. It was around nine o’clock. I realised. Shops open at about now.

The sky began to lighten up. Birds chirped. People started up their cars. Dogs barked. I wondered what shop to go to first. Maybe the supermarket. I didn’t know much, but I think it opened about an hour ago.

I went to the nearest supermarket- Sainsbury’s -and stepped inside. It was the first time walking into the supermarket. I’d only been to stalls, but they barely sold five things. The supermarket was like a mansion to me. Glorious food. Refreshing drinks. warm, comfy clothes. All I’ve ever had was was fast foods. Sometimes I stopped at the diary. Or forgotten microwave food I’d found in a charity shop.

I had never had a vegetable in my life. And the only fruit I’d had was an apple and a clementine. As for water, not any better. I had once found several buckets either in a junkyard or tip. Then when it rained I had held up those buckets to the sky. And I only ever owned rags. I had jeans that were ripped at the knees and a patched shirt.

It used to be a tartan shirt, but it was so filthy that it looked brown with dirt, and discoloured with age. I also had another shirt. This one had long sleeves. It was cleaner than my tartan one. Sophie had gifted to me a year ago. It was plain white with a little yellow star on the breast pocket. It was several sizes too big for me, but I liked it.

I glanced around. No wonder people were looking at me strangely. I was undoubtedly the most scruffiest kid here. But I ignored me. I wandered through the aisles. Then I started buying food. First I went to the fruits- I bought the freshest apple, the yellowest banana, the juiciest orange, The roundest kiwifruits, the tiniest cherries, the sweetest grapes, the biggest mango and the greenest pear.

The I started buying some savoury- The goldest pies, the fattest sausage, the biggest slice of quiche ( whatever that is ) The brownest meatball, and the yummiest looking sausage roll.

Then I moved onto the sweet stuff- The cookie with the most chocolate chips, the biggest handful of candy, the most chocolatey kit-kats,the packet with the most pancakes in it, the largest box with ice blocks in it, and finally, an enormous box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates.

I also bought some junk food- The meatiest burger, the chewiest fries, the crispiest chicken nuggets, the greasiest chicken drumsticks, the most cool looking pizza, the fattest hot dog and the longest rashers of bacon.

After that I bought several bottles of water. Well, more than several. Liters and liters- enough to last me more that a month.

Then I went to the clothes section. Here I bought some shoes. I bought two pairs of sneakers, one pair of sport shoes, slippers, gumboots, some fancy converse shoes and then some more sneaker.

For the actual clothes, starting with the pants, I bought jeans, track pants, shorts, winter pants, and sport pants.

For the shirts I bought a lot- Long sleeves, short sleeves, plain black and white ones, ones with tigers on it, ones that said ‘Born to eat’, stripy shirts, checked shirts, and shirts about rock bands.

Then I bought the second layers- Hoodies, sweaters, jumpers, ponchos and jackets.

I also bought three pairs of pyjamas, thick winter ones, cooler summer ones and a onesie.

Finally! All the needs were done. But I still needed much more. I bought toiletries, books, toys and a puzzle.

It all cost over three hundred pounds, but it wasn’t even half the money gone. I could’ve bought three houses with all the money.

A house! Of course. I had bought all this but I needed a place to live, after all. But how? I peered around Sainsburys. There was a technology aisle further along. I ran to it, the basket bouncing up and down. ‘Excuse,’ I said to a kind lady on the counter. ‘Can I try out a computer, please?’ ‘Sure,’ She replied. I went on the nearest one — a macbook — And started typing away. I went on some sites that sold houses. I went to options. There were cheap, luxury and other. I clicked on luxury. There were house that cost four million pounds.I breathed out deeply. Wowie. I looked at the picture of the house. It had four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a backyard of a hundred metres across, a pool, a garage, and it had three storeys. I casually clicked on ‘buy’. I don’t know how I was supposed to buy it. I saw numbers- a phone number — and beside it said, ‘Call me if you want to see this house’.

At the phone booth, I rang the number.

‘Hello,’ A bored but familiar voice replied.

‘Hi,’ I said. ‘I would like to see the house you were selling? Four million pounds?’

The voice laughed. ‘Oh, young Henry,’ It chuckled. ‘I’ve been expecting you.’

‘Bill Cook!’ I cried out.

‘That’s me,’ Bill said. ‘I knew you would buy a house with all that cash I gave you.’

‘Yeah,’ I murmured, feeling dazed.’I’d like to buy the house.’

‘Wouldn’t you like to see it first?’

‘No. You see, I bought all this stuff… I’m going to be robbed if I don’t have anywhere to keep it.’

‘Do you have the stuff with you?’

‘Yeah,’ I said, patting one of the bags.

‘Okay,’ he answered. ‘Meet me tomorrow at the alleyway. You will give me the money, and I show you the way to your home, ‘kay?’

‘Yep,’ I sighed. Then I hung up.

That night, I crept into the alleyway again and behind the dustbins. I dreaded being here, again, with the fear of Jack and Mike growing stronger each minute. But I managed to calm down, and I settled down to sleep. I used the bags as my pillow and my jumpers as blankets. I actually fell asleep after a little bit, and woke up to the sound of birds. I jumped up.

‘Bill!’ I called out.

‘Henry,’ Bill said calmly. He was right in front of me. I jumped back, startled.

‘Get your stuff,’ Bill said. ‘And let’s go.’ He helped me carry some of my bags as we walked.

‘So,’ I said, wanting to break the uncomfortable silence. ‘Where’s the house?’

‘Up the road in Benjamin Street,’ He replied dully.

We walked a bit more, then we arrived at Benjamin street. ’14 Benjamin Street,’ Said Bill. ‘Here we are.’

The house was huge, and make of white brick with a red,tiled roof. It was the biggest house on the street. Bill handed me the bags.

‘Now,’Said Bill. I noticed he looked a bit nervous. ‘I have to say something to you.’ He took a deep breath. ‘I’m your father.’

There was a long, shocked silence. Suddenly he looked familiar. His eyes looked the same to mine. The exact shade. Even if our hair wasn’t the same color, he did look alike. He had the same eyebrows. The same nose.

‘But.. how?’ I said. My father took a deep breath. ‘My name is not Bill Cook. It is Brett Johnson. Your mother, Linda, left me when you were a tiny tot. We were poor then. I couldn’t keep you. I didn’t have the money to spare. I gave you to an orphanage. You were there a week. It is said that a hateful boy put you into a box and into the river. Then you appeared here. Fortunately I’d gotten a fantastic job. I made buckets of money. Then when I saw you that day, I couldn’t believe it. My Henry. After all those years. My little boy.’

We looked at each other in the eyes. Then Brett hugged me.I didn’t resist. I had never been hugged, and it felt good.

‘Can I live with you, Henry?’

‘Of course!’ I said.

He took me by the hand. Suddenly Brett’s pocket vibrated. he took his phone out of his pocket. He beamed as he listened to the call. He took the phone away from his ear.

‘Good news,’ He said. ‘Sophie made a full recovery.’ This was my new life now. And I loved it.