Did anyone really think that Sam posting from London wouldn't be the start of another "play"?
Does anyone really believe that from Gran Canaria until now, nothing else would appear if they were really together?
Wow, only CaitrĂona seems to have stalkers in Glasgow... Too bad Sam can't use this in an interview. đđ
At this point this whole shitshow seems more about generating content, engagements, likes, views, hashtags... buzz... whatever...
What I see is the same story and it continues to have the same effect in this fandom... We are all here giving our opinions, theorizing, refuting this or that, posting about and joking...
I'll say again I'm curious to know what happens in moments of total silence, in trips that aren't shown, everything that isn't posted, what "fans" and russians don't capture... đđ Where was CaitrĂona during the "Hyrox Circus" Weekend? Isn't she the one who keeps being stalked? With detectives after her? đ€đđ
Hey Sam... I'm curious to know what happened between you and Graham... Because you guys didn't stop being friends just because of whiskey, right?! What else is there?
I didn't see you and CaitrĂona get into a fight over the gin. Forget me not, however forgotten it may be, was still the first. By that logic, you would have "robbed" Cait just as much as Graham would have "robbed" you.
I hope I'm wrong about everything I think and say... But considering this here đ You were right when you said that "there's always a Tony" and apparently you're "Tony" this time... #shame đ«Łđđ
I follow accts that 1) post original content, or 2) interact w my original content. // I quietly love on accts that reblog content like mine, bc they'll prolly reblog me at some point. // I block accts that post AI art/plagiarize in general, bc eschew bootlickers
First multi-chapter fic Iâve ever written, so critics please be gentle, but feedback is much appreciated. This chapter is just about introducing the reader to the story, but I do have more chapters ready to go out. Lemme know if you want them âșïž
Slow burn and mentions of childhood trauma/abuse
Find Pt.2 here
Reader is an orphan about to turn 18 when a wealthy man visits the orphanage looking for an older girl. She is put up as a possible option and she isnât happy about it.
Masterlist
Growing up in the orphanage was horrible. They treated us all like workhorses from the moment we arrived. They would demand so much from us from such an early age and when we couldnât do it, we would get beaten or starved or have to spend the night in the basement with the rats. If not all three. And then they wondered why we didnât have the strength for all the hard labour they forced upon us.
They didnât care about us one bit. They used to send us to clean rich people's houses to make money off us. I remember one girl got sent out and came back covered in bruises. She tried to tell them she didnât want to go back, that the guy was a creep and he touched her. They still sent her and one day she just disappeared. We all knew what happened, but we didnât dare say anything. We were the weak ones and in Gotham, nobody cares about the weak ones.
I remember praying every night for some nice couple to come and save me. Adopt me. But year after year passed and I learned to abandon those dreams. Iâd read in the paper about some guy called Jerome Valeska. Heâd murdered his mom. I also saw him when Iâd been sent out on maid duty, on a client's TV when they were watching the news. He seemed unhinged, like a rabid dog, talking into the camera about sanity and how we were all just prisoners and cogs. He said was the leader of a gang called the Maniax. Weâd all heard of them at the orphanage and what theyâd done. I decided if that was what family could do to you, then maybe it wasnât for me. It wasnât like anyone was coming for me anyway.
Instead, I focused on counting the days to my 18th birthday. They kicked you out once you turned 18, but it was a time everyone in the orphanage looked forward to. I remember how excited I was when the time crawled ever closer. It was just a few weeks, but time seemed to slow down as they were passing. It was painful.
I had everything I was going to do planned out in my head. First, I was going to punch the head master square in the nose and tell him just how much I hated him. Then I was going to walk my ass straight to the GCPD and let them know everything. It was my chance get that place shut down forever. To help the other kids and get them sent somewhere decent. I would be stood out front watching the day it closed. Watching with the biggest, tooth baring smile on my face.
I still hate that I never got the chance.
My 18th was a few weeks away and I could taste my freedom. Everyone was hyping me up for it and some of the younger ones were telling me how much they were going to miss me and trying to spend as much time with me as they could. There were a few sour apples because they were jealous, but I understood and I would squeeze them all so tightly before I left. Â
âStop daydreaming and get back to the floor!â A harsh voice came and I was brought back to reality with a smack to the back of my head.
It was the head master's assistant, Mr Grimes. A name that suited him well. He was stalking the halls again, looking for the daydreamers like me so he could tear them down. I was supposed to be scrubbing the wooden floorboards, but I let my mind run away with me for a minute. I shouldâve known better by then.
He got halfway down the hallway, trapsing dirt over where Iâd just cleaned, when he stopped in his tracks and turned back to me.
âYouâre up tomorrow, by the way.â He said, in that matter-of-fact tone that made everyone despise him that extra bit more.
âWhat?â I mustâve heard him wrong.
âYouâre up. Some rich guyâs coming in looking for an older girl. That means you.â
âI canât be. Iâm getting out next month.â
âItâs right here in black and white. And you know I donât make mistakes.â He gestured to the folder under his arm that had the details for tomorrow in it and apparently my name was listed inside.
I stopped to let the wheels in my head turn and try and figure this out. Being up meant that you were going to be presented for possible adoption. I couldnât be... could I? Not now I was this close? Mr Grimes turned to leave, but turned back once more.
âBy the way, says here this guy's 26. So, heâs probably not looking for a daughter. And if heâs coming here instead of some maid agency... Well, I'll let you think about that.â Â
Mr Grimes smiled one of the slimiest smiles Iâd ever seen before walking away. I knew what he meant and I also knew that nobody here cared. I threw the scrubbing brush into the bucket of soapy water, causing a splash. I was so angry. Angry that my plans could be potentially ruined, that I could be adopted by some rich guy with nefarious intentions, angry that they would let that happen to any of the girls here.
I allowed a few tears to escape my eyes, but quickly told myself off for it. I had promised myself I wouldnât cry for this place any longer years ago. It felt like giving it power or losing to it and I was not going to give this dump the satisfaction. I didnât sleep at all that night. Knowing what tomorrow was going to bring sat on my shoulders like two boulders. I was either going to see one of my sisters be taken away to god knows what, or be taken myself. I hadnât told anybody about it. I didnât want anybody else feeling this dread. Â
Morning came. The wakeup call was 7am sharp. Everyone stirred and groaned, but they knew theyâd regret it if they didnât get up with the bell. Now began the battle for the showers. First come, first serve for the hot water. If you were too slow you had to shower in water like ice. However, I wasnât in the mood to battle it out for hot water. I would feel terrible if I got some and the girl that got adopted today didnât, so I let them all have war without me. I was used to the cold water anyway.
Downstairs at breakfast I couldnât eat. I felt like I had a pit in my stomach and if I ate anything I would just throw it back up. The food was disgusting anyway. Â I sat there with a glass of water deep in thought until a bell rang that caught all of our attention. The only time that bell rang was when the head master was going to be joining us for breakfast, which was rare. But in he came and sat at the front in front of all of us, Mr Grimes standing at his side like a loyal dog. I knew why he was here. He was going to break the news.
âGood morning children.â He said in his dull, boring voice, looking over the room as if scanning it.
âGood morning, head master.â Everyone replied in unison. We knew the drill.
âI have an exciting announcement.â
Everyone was gripped. You couldâve heard a pin drop.
âNow, this does only concern the girls. Boys, perhaps next time.â
A few whispers could be heard as everyone looked around at each other. Â
âThere will be a man coming in later. A wealthy man. He is going to take one of you home.â
Smiles could be seen on my sisters faces and they continued to whisper to each other curiously.
âUnfortunately, not all of you are candidates. Mr Grimes has a list of everyone that is going to be presented. When he calls your name, you are to go back upstairs and change into your display clothes. We must make a good impression if we are to find homes, girls.â
Mr Grimes opened the folder he had with him yesterday and pulled out a piece of paper. All of my sisters were on the edges of their seats, biting their lips, fingers crossed. All of them hoping today could be the day. I was hoping for the exact opposite.
âShelby... Lisa... Mary... Joanne... Bethany.... And...â Then he called my name. The girls smiles reached ear to ear and they giggled to themselves as they stood up. We were all the oldest girls, 17 or few months away. Â
âCongratulations, girls. Today could be the start of a new life... for one of you.â The headmaster also rose from his seat and he left the room leaving Mr Grimes to finish.
âYou girls, upstairs and make yourselves look half human. The rest of you, better luck next time.â
Back in our dorm all the girls were laughing and smiling. They were all so happy, getting their presentation clothes ready. They were all the same. The outfit we had to wear if we were up. A black skirt that reached just below the knees with a black, quarter sleeve shirt with a white collar. Our only pair of good, clean white socks and black plimsoles. We were all identical in these outfits, except for different things we would do with our hair. Some would do braids, some pony tails or buns. The lucky ones managed to scrounge up some cute clips and bows. It was all very exciting for everyone. Everyone, but me.
âI canât believe it! One of us is getting out of this soggy shack!â Laughed Shelby.
âI know! I knew keeping that lucky penny was worth it!â Â Mary giggled as she pulled a penny out of her shoe and kissed it.
âWhoever it is that goes, weâll still always be sisters, right?â Joanne piped up. She had always had a nervous disposition. Â
The girls all stopped. They were so giddy with the news that they forgot today was also goodbye for one of us. The sudden sadness in the air was palpable. I could see tears start to gather in their eyes and my heart broke.
âStop it. Stop it all of you. No matter what happens today, we will all always be sisters. Weâve been through so much together that even if we are scattered to all corners of the globe, weâll still all be sisters. Nothing can change that. Ever.â I forced, half scolding them. We huddled together and began saying how much we loved each other, going over memories we had. We stayed like that until the bell rang, letting us know we only had a little time left before the line-up.
We stood lined up by the front door. Iâd never liked this bit. It felt like we were on display in a shop window. Like we were on sale.
âIs this the best you could do? Iâll be surprised if he doesnât just walk away.â Mr Grimes scoffed as he looked us up and down. He was the one who was going to be introducing us. The head master stayed in his office, he only dealt with the paperwork of it.
âAnd donât say anything, unless he talks to you. Nobody buys a cow for its personality.â Â
We heard a car pull up outside and the nerves kicked in.
âSounds like heâs here. Stand up straight, girls. Somebodyâs lifeâs about to change.â
Then there it was. The sound Iâd been dreading since yesterday afternoon.
