Beyond These Walls

By M. Warnasuriya

Alice and James Hawthorne have been orphaned following a tragic accident that took the lives of their parents. As a result they are forced to live with their very cruel aunt for two years. Not being able to take her abuse any further, the siblings decide to run away in hopes of starting a new life in the nearby town of Trentonville. The town folk however, don’t seem to take kindly to two orphans. Hungry, tired, and dirty, the children continue to look for help when they happen to walk up to the Trentonville orphanage. Left with no choice and no place else to go, Alice and James decide to seek shelter in this building which holds its own mystery. Can the children solve it in time to save themselves from the cruel headmaster who is out to serve his own selfish ends?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 17, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796046946

M. Warnasuriya

Muditha Warnasuriya holds a doctorate in education and has contributed to a variety of reader audiences. Her works range from inspirational picture books for children, stories for young readers, educational research, and suspense/horror fiction for adults. Some of these books are Beyond These Walls, The Villa, and Imagine If . . . She lives in Los Angeles, California. Website: www.warnasuriyabooks.com

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Copyright © 2019 by M. Warnasuriya.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,

recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations,

and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or

are used fictitiously.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Written and Illustrated by: Muditha Warnasuriya

Rev. date: 11/16/2020

Xlibris

844-714-8691

www.Xlibris.com

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Chapter 1     Miserable Bungalow

Chapter 2     The Escape

Chapter 3     The Long Walk

Chapter 4     The Outskirts

Chapter 5     Trentonville

Chapter 6     The Orphanage

Chapter 7     Formal Introductions

Chapter 8     Breakfast

Chapter 9     Chores

Chapter 10   Mrs. Windmeyer

Chapter 11   Supper

Chapter 12   Life’s Ups and Downs

Chapter 13   Tom’s Setback

Chapter 14   Rude Awakening

Chapter 15   The Attic

Chapter 16   Mr. Willard

Chapter 17   A Friend in Need

Chapter 18   Night Duty

Chapter 19   The Confrontation

Chapter 20   For the Love of Reading

Chapter 21   The Gentleman

Chapter 22   The Decision

Chapter 23   The Majestic Room

Chapter 24   The Morning After

Chapter 25   Precious Things

Chapter 26   Now is the Time

Chapter 27   The Secret Room

Chapter 28   Revelation

Chapter 29   Telling

Chapter 30   Waiting

Chapter 31   A Scandalous Surprise

Chapter 32   Warning

Chapter 33   The Invasion

Chapter 34   The Conversation

Chapter 35   Caught

Chapter 36   The Resolution

Chapter 37   A Truce

For all the children around the world

who’ve lost parents.

1

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Miserable Bungalow

Many children who we know are quite carefree. As we walk in a typical neighborhood on a sunny day we see them running around with their friends, playing ball, getting wet, throwing things at each other, or getting into some other kind of mischief. Their sounds of laughter fill the air. At the same time, if parents are nearby mowing the lawn, trimming the bushes, or planting a garden for the first time, and their children are making a mess with the family dog, you would hear some other not so pleasant sounding words fill up the air. These words come from parents who love their children and want to create a beautiful garden for them. Believe me, it comes from the heart.

As a child, I remember playing in my front yard with the two dogs we owned. My parents were relatively good people. They made sure that I was well-fed, clothed, and sheltered. They also made sure that I went to school and learned the basic operations that were necessary to survive the cruel world out there. At that time, however, I did not realize that such was the job of parents. Children at any age, who have loving parents and have extended family members who spoil them rotten by bringing presents during birthdays and holidays don’t know how fortunate they are, compared to children who don’t have such luxuries. They don’t quite grasp this concept until they wake up one day and discover that both their parents have died in a terrible automobile accident and they’re now forced to live with their very obese and not so nice aunt on their father’s side. This was the misfortune that Alice and James Hawthorne had to face at a young age.

The two siblings lived in a big bungalow that their aunt Matilda owned. They had been living with her for a couple of years. Alice was fourteen years old. She had a lanky figure and shoulder-length dark hair. She was intelligent and very responsible. Alice enjoyed reading books. Following their parents’ death, she had to learn to be independent. She took over taking care of her younger brother James who was eleven years old. James was shorter than his sister. He had dark brown hair and numerous freckles on his face. James loved to unravel real-life mysteries. If there was a problem around, he would be the first to volunteer in the hopes of solving it. Since Alice was his sole family now, he loved her to death.

The bungalow had two floors and was quite primitive. Matilda had owned this property since it was passed down to her by her wealthy parents, who also happened to be Alice and James’ grandparents. They weren’t around much to check in on the two grandchildren as they were too busy touring the world. The house was surrounded by a tall white picket fence to keep away any wild animals from the woods nearby. Matilda was not much of a gardener. She would let the grass grow out. Alice and James had to clear it with whatever tools they could find around the house. Cutting the grass was not an easy task because the yard was massive. The children had to bend over, grab bunches of grass, and shear them off. They had cuts and bruises in their hands and sore backs for days as a result.

Living with Matilda Hawthorne was no easy task. She had to take over guardianship of the two siblings out of obligation which made her resent them all the more. She felt as if they were a nuisance, hard to maintain, and an added expense. Alice and James were often neglected under Matilda’s care and were subjected to frequent punishments. Most of the time, they would go to bed hungry. The children were bony and thin due to the lack of nourishing food. They were not encouraged to go to school, for Matilda believed that children who could read and write would be a further nuisance to put up with. Instead, she made the children cook, clean her bungalow inside out, wash her clothes, clean after the many cats she kept as her companions, and much more. They were reprimanded if any chores were not completed to her satisfaction. They were constantly insulted by her for being an added burden in her life.

Matilda had half a dozen cats in the house. She treated them like her children. The cats were pampered and petted constantly. They would be fed around the clock with special treats and gourmet meals. She would dress them up with miniature clothing items that she made. The cats had their furniture in the living room and their beds all over the house. The children were told to clean after these cats and to make sure that their furniture was tidy and well-maintained.

Alice and James felt miserable with their aunt. Although the bungalow had many rooms, they were confined to one, which happened to be the smallest. The room had two beds, a desk, a lamp, and a closet that housed the children’s belongings. Most of what they owned including the beautiful house they lived in had been taken over by two not so nice uncles on their father’s side following their parents’ demise. Since the children were under the age of eighteen, and their parents had not formulated a will before their passing, the two uncles were the first in line to legally take possession of the property. The children were not allowed back in their former home. Immediately after their parents’ funeral, the siblings were taken to the house by a tall bearded man with a smart suit (who they later found out was a lawyer) and asked to grab whatever belongings they could get a hold of within a matter of minutes. They were only able to gather some of their clothes before the man came to fetch them.

It was late into the night. The children were sitting on their beds. As usual, they would look out at the night sky from the one window in the room, pondering about the loss of their parents and how sad and difficult their lives had become as a result. Anxiety gripped them as thoughts of an uncertain future crept into their minds. They recalled how wonderful life was when their beloved parents were alive- the comfortable beds they used to sleep on, the clean clothes they used to wear, and the home-cooked meals that their mother used to fill them up with. At present, such luxuries were nowhere to be found. Circumstances were quite different.

Matilda was downstairs sipping her tea and chowing down cookies (which was her late-night snack). She would sit on her favorite sofa, put the cats on her lap, and sing to them. The children were hungry. They had only received one meal for the day. I’m starving Alice, James complained. Can we go downstairs and grab something from the pantry?

I’m hungry too, Alice said. But she’s still there with those cats. If we go down she’s going to scream at us. The children waited for some time. Alice kept peeking out from the room to see if the lights were turned off downstairs, which was a sure sign that Matilda had gone to bed.

Oh! She’s still there. What is she doing?

I can’t wait anymore. Maybe she’s fallen asleep on the sofa. Let’s go. She won’t see us if she’s out cold, James uttered. The children crept out of the room. The hallway floor had ancient hardwood panels that creaked. Aware of this, they removed their boots and walked on socks.

Careful now, Alice whispered. Try not to make any noise, or else she’ll hear us.

Alice held on to her brother as they made it down the wooden stairway. Let go, Alice! James whispered. I can manage. The light that came from the main living room allowed them to see their path.

Do you see her? he whispered when they came down. The bottom portion of the staircase directly faced part of the living room. Matilda’s sofa, however, was on the side that wasn’t readily visible. One would have to peek in, to see it. As she peered in, Alice could see that Matilda was fast asleep. She was snoring out loud. The two cats on her lap were sound asleep as well. The others were comfortably purring by her feet.

She’s out cold. Come on! Quick! Alice whispered.

The children came to the pantry and began searching for any remaining morsel from Matilda’s supper. The air was filled with the aroma of roast chicken. This made their mouths water. The pantry had a wooden counter on one side. Plates and cups were neatly kept on it. This counter had many drawers with Matilda’s good silverware and other kitchen utensils. The sink, oven, and stove were on the other side. A table stood at the center with a few chairs neatly tucked in. Matilda devoured all her meals at this table. The cats would sit next to her and eat with her. Alice and James weren’t allowed to have their meals in the pantry. They were ordered to eat in the room instead. Their plates were supposed to be kept in there too. If these were found elsewhere, Matilda would use them to feed the cats.

The pantry was dark. A jug half-filled with water stood in the middle of the table. Next to it was a plate with a tiny loaf of bread. Alice took it, broke it into two, and gave one piece to her brother.

Here, eat it, she whispered. I guess she’s gobbled up everything else.

James took the piece and began eating. The children were careful not to make any noise. Alice gulped water from the jar. Here, drink, she said handing the jug to her brother. Before James could take a sip, they were both startled by a loud and angry voice. WHAT ARE YOU BRATS UP TO? it bellowed. The children looked with horror to find their vicious aunt standing by the pantry door. She held two cats, one on either arm.

Are you stealing my food? she shouted indignantly.

Alice looked up with fear and answered in a trembling voice, No, aunty. James was so startled that he dropped the jar of water on the floor. It broke into a hundred pieces, and water spilled all over the ground.

Look what you did, you little brute! Matilda yelled. You little thieves! Don’t I feed you enough? You’re lucky to get what you are given, orphans! Now put my bread back on the plate and clean up the mess you made this instant! she growled. And because you were caught stealing food, breakfast will be a little late tomorrow.

The children were still in shock. Alice looked around and found a rag nearby. Finding one she began to wipe the floor. James helped her. They dared not to look at Matilda, for fear of kindling her anger further. Clean the whole kitchen floor while you’re at it, she shouted. Go to your room when you’re done and stay there. I don’t want to see you brats until you’re called down, do you hear me? she bellowed.

Yes, aunty, Alice quavered.

With that said, she stormed out. Alice heaved a deep sigh of relief and embraced her brother. She felt powerless against Matilda’s cruelty. As the older sister, she could not stand to see her brother go to bed on an empty stomach. They cleaned up the floor and began making their way up the stairs. James was crying as the pangs of hunger began to cause him distress. Alice, who was also overcome with hunger, tried to soothe him to the best of her ability. The children came into their room.

I miss Mom and Dad, James said sobbing.

I know. Me too, Alice uttered.

I don’t want to stay here, James continued crying profusely. She hates us and I’m always hungry. Nobody cares about us here.

I care, Alice said. I’ll always be there for you, no matter what.

Alice, let’s get out of here, James suggested while wiping his tears.

And go where?

It doesn’t matter. Any place but here. Alice thought long and hard. It was true that Matilda didn’t bother if they lived or died. She would quite fancy the idea of being rid of them. Alice had heard of a town called Trentonville nearby. To reach it, all they had to do was walk directly across the woods (behind the bungalow) to the other side. She thought once they made it to town they could find work to support themselves. We’ll talk about this later, James. Get to bed now. You’re tired.

Yes, I’m tired. I’m tired of this place and I’m hungry. How can I sleep? James protested in frustration.

I know how you feel. Just try not to think about it. We’ll talk more in the morning.

As the children lay in bed covered with their tattered old blankets, they wondered about the outside world for the first time. Gazing at the stars from the open window, Alice pondered upon the future. Memories of the loving parents they lost flooded in as she looked out into the night. A sense of sadness enveloped her, as she longed for them. She remembered how both her mother and father taught her to be responsible not only around the house but also in life and in taking care of James. Would they approve of her running away? What would they say to Matilda if they knew that their precious children were being ill-treated this way? As James lay on his bed, he glanced at his sister and asked, So have you decided?

Alice mustered up her resolve and declared, Yes. We will leave first thing in the morning. James instantly sprung up from the bed as if struck by lightning. He was excited to finally hear those words. Where are we going? he asked.

There’s a town beyond the woods. Dad talked about it a few times. We can get there on foot. I can find work or we can find people who will help us. Let’s just deal with that part later.

James was beaming with joy. He got under the covers with a big smile on his face. Any place is better than this! he exclaimed. Her torments are unbearable. A sense of excitement and adventure overtook his mind at the thought of walking through the woods with his sister. He could hardly contain himself as he closed his eyes. Alice lay in bed looking out again into the night. She wondered what dangers they might face in a new town amidst strangers. A sense of determination gripped her thoughts, however. Matilda won’t miss us. She would be happy to get rid of us, she said to herself. Considering all the misfortune that had descended upon them during the past two years, it was worth taking a risk in search of a better life. With this resolve strong in mind, Alice closed her eyes and dozed off.

2

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The Escape

The morning had set in. Alice heard birds chirping by their window. She could also hear her stomach growl with severe pangs of hunger. Within a few moments, James was up as well. When are we leaving? he asked.

First we have to get some food, James. I’ll go down to the pantry and see what I can find. In the meantime, I want you to pack whatever clothes you can get a hold of and put them in two bags- one for me and one for you. Be sure to put jackets and a blanket because it gets cold in the woods at night.

Do you think she’s gone? James asked.

I hope so, Alice replied. They knew that each morning Matilda took a stroll with her cat family. She walked them around the vicinity to get exercise and fresh air. This would provide them alone time to freely prepare for their journey without fear of punishment. Alice vigilantly came down the stairs. Everything around her looked and felt calm. She remembered how Matilda had ordered them to stay in their rooms until called for chores or whatever else she had in mind for them to do. Alice did not feel the need to follow these instructions because from this day forward, they wouldn’t have to answer to her. She came into the pantry and began searching for food. On the counter was a basket filled with a wide assortment of fruits. She grabbed as many as she could fit in both hands, and