Chapter 1:The count down begins

I've lived in the orphanage for 19 good years of my life. I was told I'll be let go after my 20th birthday,which I've always looked forward to

I'm zara, a resident of Zion crest orphanage. It's a place that has taught me to be tough, resilient and focused

It's a tough environment with many challenges

Being bullied was like everyday training for me,Yes! I always tried my best to stay away from trouble by not crossing paths with the bullies until one day, I became their target

They forced me to do their chores and sometimes, they'll search my belongings to steal my savings.I know what you're thinking, why don't I report to the mother superior or the reverend sisters in charge right? Of course I did once, and it backfired.

One day she got punished by the mother superior after I reported her for trying to drown me in the bathroom only because I refused to do her cleaning and tried to fight back, fighting back was a bad idea because they outnumbered me.

But the night after her punishment, was a nightmare.

We live in a different quarter from the reverend sisters and caregivers, so after the usual night roll call and lights were turned off, I felt a chilling cold water pour on my and as soon as I tried to get up from my bunk bed, someone covered my mouth while others ganged up and beat me, I did fight back again and this time I managed to save myself though I sustained some injuries.

The next morning when the mother superior and two other reverend sisters came for a roll call, they noticed I was boiling hot. I was taken to the orphanage clinic for treatment.

After a few days, I got back on my feet healthy and shiny.

As I laid on my narrow bed, staring at the cracked ceiling, my mind wandered to the countdown I had written on the wall in expectation of my 20th birthday

The day I'll finally be free from the walls of this orphanage. I've heard many horror stories about life outside the walls of the orphanage. But to me, anything will be better than staying here.

I was loved by many except a few who wore jealousy like cloth. Of course I deserved the love and attention I got. I'm very smart,humble and intelligent so who wouldn't love me? Well, the bullies and other children in the orphanage didn't and that made me a loner.

My days blended together in a haze of routine,but my nights were filled with dreams of freedom