Dark Friends Read Online Free PDF Page B

Amelia and she's remarkable.” Nancy felt that her words were insufficient to do Amelia's mind justice.
                  “I remember her. She disrespected me after that test; she tried to get above her station.” Ellis stated matter-of-factly. Nancy didn't disagree, at least, not out loud.
                  “I heard about that. Well, she has learned her lesson and now she's keeping the kitchen in tip-top shape.” Nancy smiled, hoping to dis-spell Ellis' sudden tension.
                  “Well, if she's so valuable, maybe I'll put her in a more...advantageous position here.” Ellis said. Nancy had feared this. She feared that Ellis would take Amelia away and put her somewhere to confine her mind. She could not voice her fears to Ellis, who could lose his temper at any moment and fire Nancy on the spot. He had a reputation.
                  “I'm sure you'll do what's best with her.” Nancy said, eager to be out of the room.
                  “I will. Dismissed.” Ellis said as he swiveled his chair around to glance out of his fourth story window. He heard Nancy get up and shut the door behind her and he seethed. There was always one! While Ellis valued having a helpful orphan, the girl could become dangerous. She had clearly already manipulated Nancy into letting her do more than any orphan had ever been allowed. What was next? Handling phone calls? Public relations? No, Ellis decided. He had to break this upstart young girl. He didn't need a genius orphan. He needed obedience. With these dark thoughts in mind, Ellis started making his way towards the kitchen.
                                                                                        Chapter 5
                  Amelia was ecstatic. Her trash-line had worked brilliantly and orphans were constantly lobbying for the duty of unclasping the bags at the gate. Amelia had become the hit of the kitchens. Everyone gushed over her, vying for her attention. They did whatever she told them to do and they loved her for it.
                  As Amelia was chatting with Neena about future improvements on the washing line, the kitchen started to gradually get quiet. Sensing the change in the air, Amelia glanced about, looking for the disturbance. There was nothing. Everything was exactly as it should be, but some of the kids' faces were registering fear, as though they sensed that something was coming. The change in vibe was unmistakable. Within a minute the kitchen had become completely silent, save the hum of the great tray lift. The kids all looked at each other in confusion, unsure if their companions felt the same dread in their chests that they felt. Finally, the main door from the orphanage opened and Ellis stood in the doorway...
                  There were so many of them! Ellis did not come down to the kitchens often, but he never thought there was this many kids! Maybe it was how they stood. No one was hunched over their work station, or huddled behind a machine. The kids were all standing straight and looking each other full in the face, unashamed of their various disfigurements.
                  “Get to work!” Ellis screamed, sending the kitchen into a frenzy of activity. He walked around the workplace, peering over kid’s shoulders and basking in their fear. Unsure of what Amelia looked like, Ellis did the only thing that made sense,
                  “Amelia Gannerson, get over here right now!” Ellis called out. A girl of no more than twelve broke away from the washing line and hurried to face Ellis. She was of average height and build and dirty from head to toe.  Ellis only needed to see her eyes. He knelt down and looked right into Amelia's eyes, searching. He found two things: overwhelming fear and deep intelligence. Even her eyes could not hide what she truly