TUH
Written and illustrated
By Kidwoman N.H.Lin
Copyright © 2014 Kidwoman N.H Lin
Table of Contents
Chapter 01. Beanie L.
Chapter 02. Laketuh House
Chapter 03. White Room
Chapter 04. Monsters
Chapter 05. Highway 44
Chapter 06. Blue Pearl
Chapter 07. Snow White
Chapter 08. Shape of the Sound
Chapter 09. Shapeless
Chapter 10. Goodbye
Chapter 11. Stop
Chapter 12. Secretary
Chapter 13. TUH Station
Chapter 14. TUH School
Chapter 15. TUH Student Hall
Chapter 16. 3D Maze
Chapter 17. School of Technology
Chapter 18. White Board
Chapter 19. School of Art
Chapter 20. Tuher
Chapter 21. Achilles’ School
Chapter 22. 11
Chapter 23. The End
Chapter 24. The Start
Beanie Says.
1
Beanie L.
Had you ever wished to be one of the characters in the movies you watched or the stories you read? Someone once lent me this book about an orphan boy who became a great wizard with great powers. I never got a chance to finish it but let me tell you something, I wanted to be him in real life. Though I didn’t want his power and I didn’t want to fight bad guys. Unlike most kids I didn’t want to experience magic or go on some grand adventure. What I wanted was much simpler. I wanted to have a family and friends like he did.
Sound crazy?
I often wished that I had relatives like his despite the fact that in the book they were quite evil and treated him like an outcast. Time spent with them might seem painful to most but at least he could still call them his family.
I wished to have true friends like he had to share laughers and tears with. Spending time with them must felt like he was in some sort of paradise. I never known any family and I had no friends to call my own. I travelled all over and bounced from one orphanage or foster home to another. I had never been to the same place twice and never stayed long enough to consider anyone a friend. Through it all this endless cycle had become a boring chore to me. I didn’t share the enthusiasm others might have when it came to travel and meeting new people. In fact, I had grown to dread it.
Nights after nights were spent staring into the mirror looking for a scar or birthmark like the one on that orphan boy’s face. All I ever wanted to know was if I belonged to anyone who cared for me or if I had an actual history to call my own?
Seven year ago I was left on the doorsteps of an unassuming woman, wrapped in a blanket with no other clothing except a ragged maroon beanie with the letter L sewed on it. With nothing else to determine my identity or where I came from I was given the unremarkable name Beanie L. Ever since that faithful day that beanie and I became inseparable. It was a part of me, like a piece of my very own body. At times I would stare at it for hours on end hoping it would talk to me. Did my mother make this for me? What did the “L” mean? Was it the first letter of my real name? Or was it my family name? Or…maybe…maybe it was just a random piece of clothing placed on me before my parents abandoned me on a stranger’s doorsteps.
Morris and Annie was a married couple who had problem having a child of their own. They came to my orphanage several times looking for a suitable fit to start their family. While the other kids prayed hard every night to be adopted and put on their brightest smiles during each visit, I was the only one that never cared much.
That enthusiasm other kids had was something I just didn’t share. I was adopted 10 separate times since I was one. None of my adopted families were bad people and they treated me well enough, but that just made it that much harder when they would ultimately decide to send me back. It seemed that no matter how clear and beautiful the sky looked right now dark clouds could roll in at any time. After years of listening to every excuse and apology I would always end up back in some orphanage, back to my empty life. It was probably unfair to describe my life as empty because I truly believed that these people were trying to help me, but had you ever walked by a thrift store and noticed a particular piece of clothing? They were once new and proudly wore by someone at some fancy party or displayed in a closet somewhere, but once they became old and outdated they were tossed away along with the other old and forgotten items waiting desperately for someone to buy them for a cheap price. I often felt exactly like that and after years of disappointment could you really blame me? Could you blame me for not showing the same enthusiasm and hope the other kids had? I simply didn’t care anymore if I get adopted or not.
Now, back to the story…One afternoon Morris came in alone. All the kids rushed to the front desk in their Sunday’s best fighting for a chance to impress him. I instead was sitting outside in a dirty dress that was noticeably too large for me playing with a stray dog that would come by the orphanage from time to time. The stray was a golden retriever who had cripple legs and grimy fur that covered his entire bony body. I called him Mr. Golden.
“Is he your dog?”
Morris suddenly appeared and squatted down next to me. Mr. Golden instantly moved a few steps back while looking alert and frighten. He didn’t like strangers because I was sure that he was afraid being sent back to the pound.
“It’s okay, don’t be scared, I won’t hurt you.” Morris gently patted Mr. Golden’s head and scratched his neck. Mr. Golden stuck out his tongue, looking relaxed and content.
“I wish he was my dog.” I murmured.
“I’m sure he needs a home, why don’t you keep him?” He asked.
You had to be kidding me! I didn’t even have a home of my own. How could I possibly care for this dog? - I shouted in my head.
“I can’t, but YOU can.” I glanced at Morris with a bitter smile, he laughed in return.
“Does he have a name?”
“I call him Mr. Golden.”
“HAHAHA. Such a cute name, I like it.”
“So, Mr. Golden?” Morris leaned closer and whispered. Mr. Golden’s ears perked up.
“Do you want to come home with me?”
I was shocked, so much so I was shaking. That was the last thing I expected to hear.
“And do you want to ask this young lady sitting next to you if she wants to come too?”
After two days I moved in with Morris and Annie into a pink bedroom on the 2nd floor of a big gorgeous house. Mr. Golden greeted me at the door. Annie didn’t like my name so she started calling me Avril. She was a beautiful but dull housewife. Her everyday routine included cooking, cleaning, watching TV and painting her nails. Morris, a skinny and tall man with a ponytail, was a talented artist. He had a workshop in the back yard filled with his paintings, sculptures and tools. Mr. Golden especially loved to nap outside listening to the tapping sounds Morris made while he worked. For me, I loved sitting in corner in this small chair painted in different bright colors Morris made for me from leftover wooden scraps and watch him create his artwork. He would occasionally turn back, wink at me and say, “Yes boss, I’m working on it!” That would put a smile on my face every single time.
“Beanie, remember, a perfect piece of artwork always starts from the perfect observation.”
I gave a shrug, confused as to what he meant. Morris then grabbed one of my hands and stared at it like a palm reader.
“You see all these lines? You see all these intricate details? They are beautiful and you should learn to appreciate them. To me, everything and everyone is made up of these beautiful details and qualities that are unique. They can never be dup
licated or replaced. If you can see the world and yourself in this way, then nothing can bring you down.”
Three months had passed and we all seemingly got along well. Every evening Morris and I would take Mr. Golden to the park for a walk. Mr. Golden was getting healthier and stronger. He was doing his best to run with the other dogs. Most of the time he couldn’t keep up but you could tell he was happy. Sometimes Morris would sneak us into this abandon train station with a small and rickety platform near the park. I loved climbing into the ticket booth and pretend that I was a ticket agent. Morris enjoyed lying on his back on the rusted train tracks while watching the clouds roll by.
“Are you sure there are no trains coming?” I would always ask nervously.
“If one did come it would take me away to a beautiful and magical paradise.” He would always reply.
One evening while we sat around the table getting ready for dinner I noticed something out of the ordinary.
“Annie my Honey.” Morris loved calling her that. “Did I forget about something? Dinner looks like a Thanksgiving feast tonight, is it a special day?”
I sat there slipping on my apple juice and stared curiously at the huge roasted chicken on a white flower-patterned dinner plate at the center of the table wondering if indeed it was a special day
“Of course it’s a special day! I just got a call from Dr. Millie? I’m pregnant!”
I nearly choked and juice came out my nose. Morris rushed over to the other side of the table to kiss and hug Annie. I was coughing uncontrollably but at the same time tried to show my support the best I can.
“Beanie, you’re going to be a big sister! Are you happy?” Morris walked by and gently patted my head from behind.
I lifted my head and forced a smile. Across the table I saw Annie rolled her eyes as she forcibly poked her fork into a piece of carrot and bit into with a clear look of discontent.
It was unusually quiet in the house that evening. I was alone in my room and the mood was noticeably gloomy. At midnight I was awaken from a dream by the distinct sound of Morris and Annie arguing from downstairs. Annie intentionally made her voice louder as the argument progressed and at one point she ran upstairs and shouted outside of my door.
“I DON’T CARE! YOU CHOOSE HER! NOT ME! WHO KNOWS WHERE SHE CAME FROM? HER DAD COULD BE A CRIMINAL! HER MOM COULD BE A PROSTITUDE! DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHY SHE WAS ABANDONED? I DON’T WANT MY BABY AROUND HER! WHO KNOWS WHAT SHE’LL GROW UP TO BE?”
The next day Morris locked himself in his workshop. Annie didn’t leave the bedroom. I took Mr. Golden for a walk alone and we ended up at the abandon train station. Mr. Golden probably sensed what was going on as he was unusually calm and had his tail between his hind legs. I kicked the battered columns on the platform hoping one of them was a secret entrance to that magical world like in that book, but eventually I grew tired and gave up. I told myself it was not going to happen because it was just some stupid fantasy. So I just lie on the tracks looking up at the clouds while tears rolled down my cheeks.
I shouted, “Please come and take me away!”
Early next morning Morris came into my room, woke me up and told me their decision. I started to pack while Morris just stood there in the corner looking uneasy. He didn’t know if he should help or not.
“I’m sorry, Beanie…You have to forgive Annie…She…”
“It’s okay Morris, I understand. You don’t have to explain.”
“I wish you didn’t have to deal with this kind of thing at your age.”
I paused and wondered if he or anyone else truly knew what it felt like.
“I want to give you this.” He stuffed a small white box into my bag. “Inside is a treasure.”
“Then you should probably keep it, because you know I’m not coming back.” I said hardheartedly as I took out the box and handed it over to him.
“It’s for you to keep. It’s already up in here for me.” Morris pointed at his head and stuffed it back into my bag.
“Take care of yourself Beanie.” Morris hugged me tightly.
“Thanks…” I murmured.
“Oh… And…” I squatted down.
“Please take care of him for me.” I embraced Mr. Golden and brushed his fur with my hands for the very last time.
Annie didn’t want to keep the orphan kid but insisted on keeping the stray dog to keep her newborn company.
The driver, Mr. Benjamin, who had on these huge 70’s sunglasses, told me it was going to be a long drive. Apparently my old orphanage didn’t have a bed available anymore.
Through the car window I could see the sky slowly transform from a blue to an orange-red hue then black. By the time we stopped for dinner at a sandwich shop, a full moon was already shining in the night sky. It was 8:21 PM before I finally closed my eyes and fell asleep in the back seat of the car.
“Wake up girl, wake up. We’re here.” Mr. Benjamin shook my shoulder gently.
“Where are we?” I sat up, yawned and stretched out my arms. Before Mr. Benjamin turned off the ignition I quickly glanced at the clock and it was now 4:33 AM. I pressed my nose against the window and looked outside, but all I could see was darkness.
“We have to walk from here; the car will not go up this road.” He mumbled.
I tightly grasped the bottom of Mr. Benjamin’s jacket and followed closely behind him. A narrow dirt road in the forest appeared through the flashlight he held in his hand and after navigating through the winding path a gleam of light was finally visible in the distance.
“Thank god.” Mr. Benjamin exhaled.
A lady with long hair was standing outside a house holding a candle on a silver candlestick. She welcomed us in and first led Mr. Benjamin to the guestroom while I waited for her to return. I looked around the room and all I could see was a desk, two old brown sofas and two doors. This was pretty much an empty room with little decoration. Few minutes later, the lady came back and took me to the dormitory. She helped me to get change and put me in one of the top bunks.
“Sweet dreams Beanie. I’ll show you around tomorrow.” She spoke in a soft voice, trying not to wake up other kids.
As soon as she closed the door I fell into a deep sleep. It felt like I had only been asleep for a few minutes before I was awakened by the noise of children talking. I rolled onto my back, pulled the blanket over my head and tried to drown out the sound. I was able fall back to sleep moments later. Hours passed and the sound of a raspy bell ringing woke me from my sleep again. I glanced at a yellow clock hanging on the wall and it was now 2:05 PM. I jumped off the bed and started to get ready.
I put on the blue shirt and green skirt with suspenders that Annie bought for me (which was too big for me), the brown leg warmers Mommy Taleah made and the tattered pink shoes that used to be Mr. Golden’s favor chew toy. That was when I saw the white treasure box Morris had given me. It looked quite lonely inside the almost empty bag.
“Maybe later…” I said softly and quickly zipped up the bag.
I pushed open the dormitory door to reveal a long hallway, and at the end of it was another door. I could see light streaming through the crack at the bottom. I walked down the hallway to that door, turned the knob and pushed it open. The dazzling sunlight blinded me almost immediately, I narrowed my eyes and a large forest filled with leafy green trees came into sight. I took a moment to look around and other than this small orphanage there were no other buildings nearby. The forest extended in all directions as far as I could see and off the distance were snow capped mountains underneath a crystal clear blue sky.
“Please come and take me away!”
2
Laketuh House
Most kids looked forward to one special day with the most anticipation, their birthday. Sadly, I never even knew what it was until I was four and saw a birthday party. It was August, the orphanage I was living in at that time held a public event at a local park where all the kids, dressed in their finest were made to sing for a crowd of po
tential parents. Next to us, on other side of the park, was a group of children in their shiny new clothes and colorful party hats watching a fat clown perform magic with some balloons. While their laugher grew louder and louder as the clown performed, our voices grew weaker and weaker as the song progressed. Moments later, a group of adults brought out a giant three layer chocolate cake with five candles on the top and on cue the children began singing “Happy birthday to you…Happy birthday to you…” All of us orphans stopped singing, our attention now fixated on the commotion next to us. We were all feeling the same thing, we were all jealous that they got to eat such a delicious looking cake.
I asked an older girl next me why did that kid get a cake and why they were singing. She told me it was a birthday cake, something you got to celebrate the day you were born. In fact, she said it was the most beautiful cake she had ever seen. She went on by explaining that if you blew out the candles on top and made a wish it would surely come true. From that day on I decided to make August my birth month since I didn’t know the exact day I was born. Not because I wanted party or a delicious cake to eat. All I wanted was to blow out the candles on a birthday cake and make a wish. So every day during this particular month I waited and waited for someone to give me a birthday cake with candles on top. I was dying to make a wish.
It was August and I had been in Laketuh House for two months now. It was the first time I felt so unwelcome at a new place. Kids here were unfriendly and generally rude; in fact they were quite nasty to each other. Since I was the new kid here, they were kind enough initiate me in the only way they knew how, by locking me in the bathroom for the entire night on my first week here. I couldn’t walk pass without having one of them trying to trip me. My body was covered in bruises from all the time they would succeed. I really didn’t have a chance to settle into any kind of a routine because I was spending most of the time looking over my shoulders. Each night before I went to bed I had to diligently check under my blanket for any bugs or lizards they would put there to scare me.