Posted:
Hie friends.
I am Nidhi. I am new in this forum. This is a short story written by me. I am so very elated with the response I received for my first OS, Before The End - http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1511152
Hope you all like this piece.
VANESSA - An Orphan
Parents. The first people a child gains acquaintance with. For every born human, parents means a whole world. We all love our parents, our Mom and Dad. We need them along every path in life for their love, care and guidance.
As kids, we all loved to hug our parents, demand for toys and visit the park with them. But, at the teenage level, it many a time happens that we start disliking our parents for poking their nose in all our affairs, restricting us for various activities and checking upon the company we keep. This is a very normal teen psychology and is not a matter of serious concern unless it holes deep inside creating ill-feelings. But, those are seldom cases. In general, we all are somewhere in our hearts aware that our parents love us and we love them. But how many of us really acknowledge their importance in our lives? Do we not often say, "everyone has a mom and dad, what's the big deal?". If yes, we are unaware of those people for whom it is a very big deal as they are not as lucky as we are.
This is the story of one such girl, Vanessa.
Vanessa van der Woodsen is a 16 year old teenager living at the St. Joseph's Orphanage, Ohio, USA. Vanessa was brought to the orphanage 5 years ago. She is taken care of by Sister Rossie D'mello. She treats her in the best manners possible. But, can she fill the deep hole in Vanessa's heart which longs for her parents?
Vanessa, or V, as friends call her, is a beautiful, intelligent but shy lass. She spends most of writing poetry and reading literature. She lives in her own world, most unaware and least bothered of her surroundings. She often gets scary dreams and wakes us yelling and weeping. Everyday is more grief and pain for her. What are those dreams about? And, why does Vanessa live in the orphanage?
Six years ago, 17th May, 2004.
Place: Ohio International Girls' School.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, we now present a ballet by Vanessa van der Woodsen and group."
It is the annual function at the school. Vanessa is performing on stage with her friends. Everyone is mesmerized with her moves but there's someone whose mesmerism is a bit excessive.
"Vanessa is the best ballet dancer in the whole world. I love your moves, shakes and twirls Vanessa, I love you", said Mr. Bart Dickens, the 22 years old Physics professor.
As the dance gets over, Vanessa comes down the stage and moves towards the green room. But, then, someone holds her by the wrist.
"You rocked Vanessa, you rocked!"
"Thanks a lot Professor Bart. That is so appreciative of you, sir."
"Please Vanessa, how many times have I told you, please don't call me sir. I am not like the other old professors." As Bart goes on, he moves his fingers over Vanessa's bare arms making her immensely uncomfortable.
"Excuse me sir, I have to go." Vanessa runs away awkwardly.
"I love you Vanessa, you are only mine", murmurs the Professor.
A month later..
"Mr. Principal, I want Professor Bart to stay away from my daughter. He should not be seen even a 100 meters close to her." Vanessa, Mr. and Mrs. van der Woodsen are in the Principal's cabin. Professor Bart has been torturing Vanessa in all her classes and she is extremely scared.
"Don't you worry Mr. Van der Woodsen. We have fired Mr. Bart Dickens today morning. He'll now never be seen in this school. You may comfortably bring Vanessa here."
"Thank you so much sir. I hope now my daughter is safe here."
"Absolutely."
The van der Woodsens leave.
"Don't you worry my dear, he'll never hurt you again, we promise."
"But Mom, please, I do not want to stay here. I am really scared about this place now."
"You have to complete your semesters my child. We cannot take your transfer before them. Don't worry, everything is fine now."
"Okay Dad, I'll try."
"Okay honey, we are leaving now. See you at home."
"Bye Dad, Bye Mom!"
"Bye love!"
Vanessa turns back and heads towards her classroom. She consoles herself and trusts that everything is proper. She stops at her locker to pick up her books.
As she closes the locker with the books in her hands, "Aaaa!!!" Vanessa sees Prof. Bart standing next to her. She is extremely terrified. He comes closer.
"You cannot escape me Vanessa. I love you and you have to love me. You're mine Vanessa, you're mine." Bart holds Vanessa by her arms and attempts to kiss her.
"Help!! Please help!! Leave me!! Let me go... . No!! Leave me!" Hearing Vanessa yell, some professors come running towards her. They hold Bart away and Prof. Michelle caresses Vanessa. She is crying pitifully.
"Get off the girl Mr. Bart. How shameful can you become?"
"Leave me professors, I said leave me!!"
One of the Professors informs the cops. They arrive and take Professor Bart away.
Everyone tries to console Vanessa and take her to the Rest Room.
"Its okay my girl, relax." Professor Michelle condoles Vanessa and offers some water.
"He will never come back Vanessa, the cops have taken him away to the cell. You take some rest now."
Vanessa lies down and soon falls asleep.
A week later..
"Mom. . .I am back!" Vanessa shouts as she enters her house but does not receive any response. The room is not properly lightened with only a table-lamp on.
"Mom! Oh Gosh, where is Mom?? Why do I feel as if something is wrong.." Vanessa begins to worry when she sees someone sitting on the couch, facing the back to her.
"Mom? Is it you?" Vanessa holds the person and turns the face. Just then she yells!!
"Gosh, its Martin! This boy, sleeping on the couch! Wait, I'll tell Mom." It is Martin, Vanessa's younger brother. She turns back and heads towards the kitchen. Suddenly, someone keeps a hand on her shoulder.
"Vanessa! You're back from Jenny's party?"
"Finally you are here Mom! Where were you? I was looking all around."
"I was just upstairs. Sorry, I didn't hear you coming honey."
"Anyways, see Martin is sleeping on the couch. Shall I drop him from there?"
"No, no dear! I'll see to him. You go, take some rest."
"Fine, then. Good Night Mom."
"Good Night honey."
Vanessa leaves for her room but then, her mom stops her suddenly.
"Vanessa!! Don't go upstairs!"
"Why Mom? My room is upstairs, right?"
"Yeah but, I was thinking, you could go for a sleepover at Lydia's house. She had called for you in the evening. Mrs. Thomson was eager to have you there."
"But I am really tired.."
"Please Vanessa, Mrs. Thomson would feel denied."
"Alright then. I'll get my night dress from my room."
"No! No! I have already sent to the Thomsons. You should leave right now."
"Fine Mom! Bye!"
"Bye dear!"
Vanessa gets out to the Thomsons. Here, Mrs. van der Woodsen looks scared and tensed. She goes towards Martin and. .. . .She starts crying bitterly. Martin is dead and so is Mr. van der Woodsen upstairs in Vanessa's room.
"Is she back??" Suddenly, a loud voice enters the house.
"No.. .. she is not. And you'll never be able to catch her, you understand??? You will never be able to catch Vanessa!!"
Mrs. van der Woodsen yells at the intruder who is none other than Professor Bart who escaped the jail last night. He broke into the house looking for Vanessa and when Martin yelled at seeing him, he killed the little kid mercilessly. Hearing Martin's voice, his parents came out and saw their innocent kid murdered by the maniac professor. Bart ran towards Vanessa's room and Mr. van der Woodsen ran after him. When he tried to stop the prof., he too was ruthlessly murdered. His blood stained the walls of Vanessa's room. When Bart discovered that Vanessa was not in the house, he decided to kill Mrs. van der Woodsen as well but he heard a cop car checking around on patrol. He had to go away. Mrs. van der Woodsen was devastated. But, she had to keep it from Vanessa and protect her. So, she sent her to her neighbours.
But, Mrs. van der Woodsen's plan did not work its aim.
"Mom. . .Mrs. Thomson said that she didn't... NO!!!" As Vanessa entered into the house surprised that Mrs. Thomson had not called for her, she saw a drastic scene, the Professor in her house and Martin murdered.
"No!!! Mom!!"
"Vanessa!! Go away!! Run!!" cried her mother.
"Vanessa, you will not go anywhere. You will come with me", Bart roared.
"Mom!! I cannot leave you with this guy."
Just then, Bart ran towards Vanessa, but Mrs. van der Woodsen caught his leg. He couldn't move. Infuriated, he poked the blood-stained knife in his hand into the woman's chest.
"MOM!!!!"
"No! Vanessa, you have to escape! Go, run!! Leave me here. RUN my child, you swear me! He has killed your whole family, you have to punish him! RUN!"
"DAD!!"
Vanessa is broken. She turns and runs as fast as she can.
"Vanessa!! You cannot escape me! Come back!!" Bart follows her.
Vanessa cries and cries, terrified with the flashbacks of his dead parents and sibling. She reaches a garbage drum and hides behind it. Bart looks for her all around. Just then, Vanessa escapes in front of him. He follows her.
"He has killed your whole family, you have to punish him!" The words of her mother ring out loud in Vanessa's mind.
Suddenly, she trips and falls. Bart nears towards her.
"No!! Please. . ..leave me.. .Please leave me..let me go, please!!"
"Don't worry, my love, I will not harm you. I love you dear. You'll be a part of my family. Don't be scared." Bart reaches Vanessa and leans on her.
Tears roll down Vanessa's eyes.
"AAAHH!!!" A loud yell is heard by the skies.
Bart gets up. He looks at his hands. They have blood over them which is none other than his own. Yes, Vanessa has pierced a sharp glass piece in his belly which she got near the garbage drum.
She picks up Bart's cell which fell from his pocket while leaning and calls the cops. They arrest him and take him away.
Professor Bart was hanged two months later for the charges of three murders and mental and physical abuse met to a girl.
TODAY..
That was the incident which still terrifies Vanessa in her dreams. Years have passed since then but she has all those drastic memories afresh in her memory. She visits the graveyard every Saturday to spend some time with her lost family. They say that time heals all, but can it heal Vanessa's pain? Can it really fill the vacuum in her life created by an inhumane monster? If yes, we would love to see Vanessa dancing again.
I hope you guys liked it. If yes, please leave some lengthy comments and if not, criticism is ever welcomed. Do hit the LIKE tab.
Regards,
Nidhi. =)
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