Chapter 3 Hatred

At midday, I sat in my room, rolling my little finger over my rag doll. A warm smile stretched on my face as I wrapped my arms around my newly bought sweater, with my mind bragging about Mother Stella.

"It's cute isn't it, Mari?" I stared at the one buttoned eye doll, imagining a response.

"I know, Mother Stella is the best!" I loved and enjoyed Mother's presence every time she visited, but it was rather unfortunate she was always too busy with other churches and orphanages, she couldn't stay there to see what I was going through. So we were left there at the mercy of sister Regina.

I looked at myself, poking the tiny bear attached to my sweater. "What should we call him?"

I rose my eyes to the doll, twisting my lips. "Yes! It's a boy, don't be mean", I pointed at my jealous doll.

"I think we should call him Matthew", lifting Mari, "So that both of you could be twins". I smiled widely kissing her.

With my eyes and attention all locked on my imaginary friends, I ignored my creaking open door behind me. There she stood, with her stare locked on my back.

"Lola dear?"

My heart stopped. I could feel my lungs hide beneath my stomach.

"Sister Regina?" I slowly turned, moving Mari behind me.

Her lips stretched, as she walked in calmly, with her hands intertwined in front of her. She quietly stood above me, looking down at me.

"What are you doing, Lola?"

I dragged my stare to the doll in my left hand behind me. I bit my lips, storming my brain for what to say. "I. I was playing..."

"Playing?" She rose her brows.

"...Yes" I nodded slowly. She chuckled lightly, gently seizing the doll from my hand. I resisted. Her facial expression darkened as she forcefully pulled her out of my grip. I looked down scared, pinching my fingers.

She held the doll up to her face, scrolling her eyes over it with disgust.

"Lola?"

"Yes, sister?"

"Where did you get this?" Holding it with two fingers as she turned to me.

"Downstairs, behind the trash..."

"Hmm... I see", holding it down, "How long have you had it with you?"

"... About a month, I think".

"And do you think this doll is... Holy?"

I stared into her eyes, then at the floor.

"Do you think the little girl that left this down there didn't have a good reason to?"

I bit my lips harder. "Maybe she lost it and couldn't find it..."

"And you think you're brave enough to bring this demonic object up here?", She narrowed her eyes.

"I... I..."

"And what if this doll is carrying an evil entity that haunts and feeds off of you every time you play with it?", She bent down to my eye level.

I pinched my fingers harder as I shut my eyes. "But... But I pray with her every morning and- "

I was cut short by a hard slap on my face, sending me to the floor.

"You idiot! How many times have I told you never to talk back at me!?!"

I held my face, too scared to cry, as I dragged myself backwards.

"Do you see now?" She held up the doll, "Do you see what this cursed doll is making you do? Huh?" She strikes at my face again.

"It's making you disobey me?" She launched her fist at my forehead, making me slam the back of my head on the floor.

I screamed, with my palm over my mouth trying to move back.

"Sister. I'm sorry... I'm sorry please..."

As I cried trying to stand up and run, she grabbed my leg, slamming me back to the floor.

"Come here, you little devil!". She started to drag my body on the floor to the door.

"Sister stop! Sister, please stop! I'm sorry please let me go! Sister Regina please!"

She dragged me to the stairs, roughly pulling me down. I cried, clutching my arms around my head to protect it.

"Sister I'm sorry please!!!" We got to the second floor. My siblings ran out of their rooms.

"Sister? Sister?" They called out following us, as she dragged me to the next set of stairs.

"I'm going to make sure I cleanse you from that devil in you!"

"Sister! Sorry!!" I cried, trying to pull myself free.

We made it to the ground floor, the basement. With the huge wooden door in front of us, she pulled me closer.

"Come here!" She jacked my body up, tossing me on the door.

"Here!" She angrily shot Mari to my face.

"Have your little demon toy with you!"

"Sister, please... Sister, please stop", one of my sisters Anna screamed, pulling Sister Regina's leg begging.

"Sister please leave her!!! Sister".

She cried, pulling Sister Regina's sleeves.

"Get out!", She shoves Anna away. "If anyone feels pity for this possessed monster!" She pointed at me,

"They'll join her in all her in all her punishments!"

An older girl behind Anna, quickly pulled her back, preventing her from begging and getting into more trouble.

"Good!"

She turned to me. I clutched tightly unto Mari begging. "Sister I'm sorry... sister please..."

She ignored my cries and pushed open the door. I sobbed, wiping my nose and eyes, slowly moving backwards.

She looked at me. Her eyes were full of hatred and anger as she pushed me into the darkness. I fell into the pool of cold, muddy smelling water. I held my breath as my entire body was swallowed by the water.

Jumping up, I gasped for air. I stood on my feet, with the water just at my chest.

"Sister noo!!!" I stretched my hand forward, charging for the steps, as Sister Regina angrily shut the door, leaving me in complete darkness.

I froze at the steps with my arm stretched forward, crying, as my soaked hair dangled on my face. I sobbed, hanging my head down, with rolls of tears pouring out.

"Please let me out... Please..." I mumbled under my breath. I heard her footsteps, slowly turning around and walking away. I clutched my fist full of pain and anger.

"Regina!!!"

I screamed at the top of my voice, surely echoing at every corner of the building.

Her footsteps immediately froze at the door. I fall flat on the step, panting with my limbs all fully emerged in water. Slowly her footsteps approached the door.

My voice weakened with her standing by the door, with my forehead on my arm.

"Sister Regina what did I ever do to you?... Why are you doing this to me!!!" I screamed again, lifting my head.

I cried out louder, "Why!!! What did I ever do to you? Where do you treat me so horribly?!? Sister Regina why!!? You teach us about the Bible daily, but..." I cry louder, "But you never do what it says!!"

I again broke into tears, lowering my head. "Why??..." I said to myself.

There was a short moment of silence as I continued to cry accompanied by the sound of water dripping from the ceiling. Suddenly the door clicks. I shot up my head surprised.

Sister slowly pushed the door open, with a straight emotionless expression. I locked stares with her, wondering what she would do next. Slowly she took a step in, stepping on my fingers. I groaned, squeezing my eyelids together in pain.

I gasp slightly, moving back a little. She slowly bends down at my face.

"I hate you. So so very much, because you took everything away from me when you were born. And she never deserved it!" She stared straight in the eyes.

She gradually stood up and walked out the door, leaving it wide open.

Without turning back, she walked straight to the stairs, leaving me and my siblings behind.

'She?? Who?'