Lola: Lady Misery

I stared into the darkness of the sky without a single star, digging my small fingers into my scarred arm. I sighed. My stomach rumbled, begging for at least a drop of water.

I looked down, gently patting it. Raindrops continued to slap harder against the glass, followed by a strike of lightning, lightening the pitch-black abandoned room.

My eyes caught a glimpse of the analogue clock hanging on the wall.

12:56 AM.

I craned my head back, with the door slowly creaking back and forth. I slowly returned my stare to the partly broken window in front of me, getting used to the daily haunting sounds that echoed in the old room I stayed alone in.

For a seven-year-old, darkness wasn't even the least of my fears. I clutched on tightly to the dusty worn-out doll in my arms, trying to count the raindrops on the glass. Footsteps began to echo in the hallway.

My eyes widened, as more than a chill ran down my spine.

"She's back...." I whispered to my doll.

Carefully but hastily I jumped away from the window, rushing for my empty metal bed. Without a mattress on it, I roughly straightened the paper-like sheet on the iron bars and springs. I hurryingly threw the doll behind the bed.

As quietly as I could, I rose myself to the bed and laid, shutting my eyes immediately. I felt the sharp pointy ends of the bed strings, piercing into my flesh, adding to the numerous injuries on my back.

The door slowly creaked open. My body froze, unable to breathe. Slowly the sound of shoes tapping on the floor approached me.

My heart couldn't even skip a beat, being too petrified.

"Lola?" Her hand gently landed on my arm.

I exhaled silently, gently lifting myself, "Sister?"

I turned to her scratching my eyes, pretending to be sleepy. With the candle lamp in her hand, I could see her all-black long gown and the veil around her head to her neck.

She gave me a warm smile, appearing innocent and gentle. I gulped my saliva, feeling the aura of pure evil and wickedness from the grown woman in front of me.

"Welcome, Sister Regina", I added, dropping my head.

"Have you eaten today, Lola?" She rose my head with her index finger.

I hesitated, afraid to respond. I timidly played with my fingers.

"No sister".

"Do you want to eat?"

Again, I felt a huge lump in my throat. I fell my eyes to the glowing Rosary around her neck, hoping for a miracle to save me. I looked down at the floor. My stomach pounded against my abdomen begging.

"... No sister".

Her smile widened, showing her upper teeth, as she straightened her back. "Good girl". She took a step back, stretching her hand out to me.

"Come". She ordered.

I stared at her palm, hesitant and scared. I stretched my hand forward.

"Yes, Sister".

We walked down the hallway, to the staircase, with my head fixed down. My room was on the top floor, the third floor, which was under construction but later abandoned, leaving me as the only soul up there. We made our way to the kitchen floor, the first floor.

"Where are we going to sister?" I said unable to suppress my curiosity.

"Patience Lola..."

We walked to the kitchen and then towards the storeroom door. She slowly pulled out a bunch of keys, unlocking the door.

"... Patience is a virtue Lola", she pushed open the door, releasing my hand. She walked down the three steps into the store, slightly lifting her gown.

I stood by the door, staring at her. She walked towards the shelf full of grains, pulling down a half-filled bag.

She turned to me, "Lola? Come!"

I didn't move, staring at her with a plain expression. She dropped the bag on the floor, untiring it.

"Lola?" She called out again, this time, standing up straight, right next to the open bag.

"I said come!"

For my safety and well-being, I immediately walked toward her, seeing the content of the bag.

"Rice?" I rose my head confused.

She gently placed the lamp on a shelf and walked close to me.

"Lola dear..." she placed her hand on my cheek. The top of her fingers slowly caressed my skin.

"Yes, sister Regina?"

"Mother Stella gave me some work to do this night, but unfortunately I also have to pick out the rice for tomorrow's breakfast. So, since I won't be able to do two things at once, I thought you could help me", Her voice deepened, "Pick out this half bag of rice".

"What?..." I mumbled unconsciously as my stomach grumbled in hunger.

She looked down at my belly then at me. Ignoring my pain with a smile, she continued, "I want you, Lola, to help me pick out each grain of rice from this bag, into this bag, without any single dirt in it".

She extended her hand to go to the side, pulling out an empty bag.

"So tomorrow, we can have rice for breakfast. For you, me and your dear siblings of course". She smiled.

She stood up straight, "Is that okay?"

I ran my eyes in different directions of the floor. "But... But why ... What. What about my siblings??" I stammered.

She took in a deep breath and bent down to my eye level. She gently grabbed my jaw, slowly applying pressure to my cheeks.

"Are any of your siblings named Lola?" I shook my head looking down.

"Answer Me!!" She squeezed my cheeks harder.

"No Sister Regina..." I mumbled, shutting my eyes.

She released my jaws, standing up and smiling, "Good". She walked to the small wooden window of the room, pushing it open. The cold wind blew in, alongside the flashes of lightning.

She walked back to me, picking up the lamp from the shelf.

"Now Lola... I expect you to be done within an hour. Okay?"

I nodded.

She looked out the window, "The lightning should be more than enough light for you to see. After all, you're still young... Your eyes should be sharp enough".

She smiled, walking towards the door.

She placed her hand on the doorknob.

"Oh! I almost forgot".

She turned around, taking a few steps back to me. She kicked the half-filled bag of rice down smiling. I looked up at her surprised.

"When you're done with this, then maybe you can have dinner". She turned to the door. "Lazy girl", she walked out, shutting the door.

I stood there with an ocean of tears filling my eyes, which unfortunately could fall out.

I slowly went to my knees, grabbing the empty bag by the side. I slowly began picking each grain of rice from the floor. In a few minutes, placing more than two handfuls of grains into the bag, I stood up and began to pull up the fallen bag. I grunted with all failed attempts.

My scream echoed through the hallway, shooting my arms in the air as I cried for help.

"Sister, please! Sister, please stop!!!" I cried, with mucus and tears mushed all over my face by her slaps.

"Sister please!!!"

Sister Regina slammed my body to the floor, causing me to hit my back on the sharp edge of my bed. She turned to the side, picking up a cane from the floor.

She walked closer, thrusting her left hand to my face, with a Rosary tangled between her fingers.

"I'll ask you again Lola, why didn't you say your morning prayers!?"

I sobbed, with tears pouring from my eyes."I'm sorry sister..."

"I said. why didn't you pray Lola!!!"

I shut my eyes, moving my red swollen palms to my face, "I'm sorry..." I sobbed. "I overslept, please I'm-..."

Before I could finish my sentence, she began slashing and wiping the cane against my body. I screamed.

"Say it! Say it!" She pushed my Rosary to my face.

"Say your prayer you God-forsaken satan! Say it!"

I rose my head slowly, feeling a drop of blood running into my eyes. I stared at her, looking into her eyes.

"Hail. Mary ... Mother of-"

She stroked my face.

I screamed, slamming my palms against my mouth, so as not to anger hear my cries.

"I said! Say it! Aloud!", she held my neck.

I shivered on the floor gasping for my breath as she choked me. She released me, letting me gasp for air.

I slowly drew my stare from the floor to the open door. There my other orphan sisters stood, terrified and pitiful, as they watched me with teary eyes unable to help.

"Lola! Say it!!!" She slapped me.

I held my cheek, lying sideways on the floor.

"Hail Mary... Mot-... Mother of God..." I couldn't continue, feeling the pain on my face go in flames.

"I knew it! You can't say it because you're nothing but pure blood of the devil himself".

I shook my head as she spoke pleading. She swung her foot at my chin, pushing my weak battered body further to the wall.

"Say it, Lola! Say it! Say it, Lola!!" I held my wounded jaw crying, hearing her scream.

"Lola! Lola!..." Everything slowly started to fade into blackness, with my eyes shutting. "Lola! Lola!"

"Lola? Lola?" I pinched my eyelids together.

I felt a gentle pressure over my arm, slowly thrusting my body back and forth on a grainy surface.

My eyes slowly opened. My sight was blurry, but I immediately made out the figures on the shelves in the storeroom.

"Huh?"

I started to recall my dream, a memory of one of my daily routines here at the orphanage. But unfortunately for me, I couldn't forget any.

"Lola? Lola?" I heard a warm elderly voice call from behind. It was Mother Stella. A fortyish years old grey woman, calm, sweet, caring, and protective of all of us... At least when she's around. I gradually pushed myself up, seated on the bag of rice.

"Mother Stella?" I scratched my eyes sleepy.

"Lola darling? What are you doing here?"

"Doing where?" I rubbed my eyes trying to come back to reality.

"Here! In the storeroom", her expression was full of worry and confusion. With my brain still half asleep, I answered, "I slipped".

"Slipped?" She looked surprised. I held my eyelids together, letting out a yawn and nodding.

"How did you slip into the storeroom from your room?".

I rubbed my palm over my face, unable to understand her question. I slowly tilted my head to the side, seeing my siblings by the door, all waving at me with pity.

"Yes..." I answered again without thinking. Mother Stella pulled back and thought, then looked back at me.

"No, no, no, no, no, no... come, my child". I heard her say, wrapping her arms around my waist, gently lifting me.

She rested my head on her shoulder, patting me gently as she turned to the door. My siblings immediately moved to the side, allowing her through.

KNOCK KNOCK!

Mother Stella knocked at Sister Regina's door, shaking my sleepy self on her back.

"Regina?" She called out calmly.

"Mother!?" She responded.

I could hear her footsteps rush to the door, and then unlock it.

"Mother?" She pulled open the door.

Mother tapped me, trying to wake me. She slowly got up, her placing me on the floor.

"Lola?" She tapped my cheeks. I widened my eyes, staring at her nodding. A soft smile stretched on her face, as she stood up straight, turning to Regina.

"Good morning, mother", Sister Regina said, giving her a slight bow. Regina's eyes slowly traced at me, then at my mother's feet.

"Regina? Why was this child sleeping in the storeroom?"

Sister's brows immediately shot up to the roof of her forehead.

"What!! The storeroom?" She held her chest, turning to me. She quickly went down on her knees in front of me, rubbing her palms over my face.

"Lola sweetie? What were you doing in the storeroom this morning?" She said with an innocent voice.

"It's not this morning", Mother started, "She slept there!"

I stood there watching them. Mother Stella was unaware of the fact my room was on the third floor, the floor under construction. She thought I shared the same room as my sisters, and unfortunately, she never stayed long enough to know the truth.

"Oh my!" Regina threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly. She released me, slowly standing up.

"Mother, I honestly don't know how she got there? I don't understand how she left her room to the storeroom".

"Oh really? Who else has the key to the storeroom?"

Sister's face immediately went cold, being caught in a corner.

"Oh!" Sister slapped her face. "I'm so sorry, mother, I accidentally left the keys on the lock, and..."

She stood directly in front of me, intentionally blocking me from mother Stella's sight.

"... Maybe she left her room without my knowledge, finding her way to the storeroom".

My eyes immediately cleared as I felt her sharp nails dig into the skin of my cheek. I immediately knew what I had to say.

"What rubbish!?" mother began, "How and why will she leave her room for no reason and go to the storeroom, sleeping on a bag of picked rice for the breakfast in the next five days!?"

"But mother..." Regina tried to defend.

"Don't but me, young lady!"

Sister Regina dropped her head in shame.

"I don't understand why you will be so cruel to this young girl and give her such work at such a young age!"

"But mother I didn't tell her to-..."

"To what? Pick the half bag of rice I saw her asleep on!? Do I look like a fool to your sister Regina? Why would you-"

"I did, Mother..." I pinched my hair behind Sister Regina.

"What?" Mother tilted her head, trying to catch my eyes.

Sister Regina moved aside, making me visible. "What did you say, Lola?", Mother went down on her knees, placing her palms on my face.

"... I went there willingly to pick the rice last night..."

I slowly rose my head to the evil nun, who hung her head down seeming innocent.

"Because...", I looked back at mother, "... Because I heard you instruct sister Regina to do it, but because she had been busy with us the whole day, I decided to go help".

"And that was the only time you could help? At night? Alone?... There wasn't even any lighting in the room, Lola".

"I wanted to surprise her, mother... That's why I went there late. And I was too scared to take a lamp in there because I was afraid I may be careless and burn the place".

I fell my head down, pinching my fingers. Mother sighed, taking a glimpse at sister, then back at me.

"Come, dear, let's clean you up". She wrapped me in her arms, lifting me as she gently patted my back, walking towards the stairs.

"Don't ever do that again, that's not your job", she whispered in my ear.

My eyes were fixed on the woman at her door, staring and smiling straight at me, as mother and I walked away.

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?'