Accidental Surrogate

Ella

“Cora tell me what happened.” I demand, crossing my skinny arms over my chest. I’m eight years old, glaring down at my surrogate sister with a stern expression. It’s always been this way between us. She’s a year older, but I’ve always had the dominant personality.

“It was nothing.” She insists, averting her gaze from my own.

“You’re lying.” I counter stubbornly. “I can always tell, you know.”

“No, you think you always know.” Cora answers sullenly, though we both know I’m right. I can read my sister like a book.

“Would you just tell me?” I press, sighing with exasperation.

“Fine, it’s not even a big deal, it was just some of the big kids being jerks.” She explains gravely.

“Which ones?” I respond immediately. “Point them out.” It could be anyone, considering the fact that even children our own age tend to be bigger than us. It seems like the orphanage physician labels us undersized and undernourished every year, though nothing ever changes.

Reluctantly, Cora points toward a familiar gang of kids, ranging from age eleven to fourteen. The ringleader is a beefy thirteen year old who always wears a cruel leer, as if he’s ever on the lookout for someone to bully to tears – just for the fun of it. “You see, there’s nothing we can do about it – they run this place.”

“I beg to differ.” I answer, tilting my chin up defiantly. “We don’t have to be bigger than them – just smarter. Now tell me what they said to you?”

Cora’s voice is so low I almost can’t hear her speak. She stares at the ground, her shoulders slumped in defeat. “They called me a worthless gutter rat and said no one would ever adopt me cuz I’m too ugly.”

up inside of me. This is the weak spot for any abandoned child. None of us know what it’s like to be wanted or unconditionally loved, and the only thing that keeps us going is the hope that we might get parents one day. As far as I’m concerned, targeting my sister’s biggest sensitivity deserves a serious punishment. “I’ll kill them.” I seethe, my tiny hands

have a point. We’re getting old now, and you know how it is. Parents only ever want the babies.

anything.” I vow. I’d like to see any grown up try to take me away from the orphanage without her. “We’re

to say that.” Cora offers me a hesitant smile.“You adopt all the outcasts.” This isn’t the first time she’s said this to me. I do have a way of taking the most skittish and rejected of our peers

do you think the big kids are so mean. They’re mad that

you’re going to let them off the hook?” She asks,

remind them that we’re in this together.” I answer reasonably, trying to calm my own

teeth flash in a pearly grin. “And if they don’t

the pants.” I sniff, turning on my heels to march up to the bullies in question. Cora trails along behind me, whispering anxiously about what a bad idea this is. I don’t listen, determined to defend her no matter

anyone ever teach you to pick on someone your own size?” I call

one who spoke. The ringleader

account for brains.” I bite back. “You shouldn’t be mean to Cora just cuz you’re

about it, brat?” He stalks forward, looming over my small body with malicious intent. “A scrawny little thing like

and nail. He screams and flails his arms. “What –

had been that day. Normal human girls don’t act like

did that?” Sinclair asks, the corners of his mouth

to take on the big kids. When it was over I tended his wounds, and from then on

recognize the truth in them – not only the wolfish group I formed, but the

I’m sure I wouldn’t have been any match for a pup that wasn’t dormant, but the human kids still weren’t as strong. I never understood how I won

– from the sounds of it you were a born leader, and that has nothing to do with being a wolf – not alone at least.” He praises,